Odds of a new farm bill in 2024 are declining, with Senate leadership continuing to spar over climate funding and redirecting climate funds into the commodity title of the new farm bill.
The inclusion of food systems in global climate plans opens a realm of opportunities and challenges, underscoring a need for a thoughtful and nuanced approach, says guest columnist Tamara Muruetagoiena of the IFPA.
The National Organic Program wants feedback on proposed changes to the way the program collects information. These changes will help avoid collecting redundant information and streamline information collection.
Using duties to replace the suspension agreement that regulates U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes would make things far worse for the U.S. tomato market, says Javier Badillo of the FPAA in this guest column.
An upcoming webinar from the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas aims to help U.S. importers of Mexican tomatoes to better understand the implications of a potential termination to the 2019 suspension agreement.
The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.
The Last Acre Act would help expand high-speed internet access across eligible farmland, ranchland and farm sites. At least 15% of farms and ranches have no access to the internet today.
Rep. Thompson, chairman of the House Ag Committee, continues to express optimism about passing a new farm bill in December in the House of Representatives. But he says an extension of the current farm bill is needed.
Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.
With the government funding in place for now, work on a new farm bill can continue, with the same questions (timing, funding, Title 1 reform, etc.) still being unanswered.
United Farm Workers has endorsed Biden, citing his labor rights track record and appointment of Julie Chavez Rodriguez, granddaughter of Cesar Chavez and daughter of UFW's Arturo Rodriguez, as campaign manager.
The farm bill, labor, food safety and nutrition were the top takeaways at the recent IFPA Washington Conference, which brought together industry leaders to listen and influence policy makers on fresh produce priorities.
The International Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference kicked off on Sept. 12 and has gathered members to Capitol Hill to advocate for the policies and legislation critical to the produce industry.
The proposal would strengthen protections for farmworkers in the H-2A program and help prevent abuses that undermine wages and standards for all agricultural workers, according to the Department of Labor.
The event will bring together attorneys, academics, agents, and representatives from federal agencies and foreign governments to delve into labor issues facing U.S. agricultural employers.
After recent tariff lifts on apples, walnuts and almonds, India has slashed tariffs for additional U.S. exports, including include blueberries and cranberries, signaling increased opportunities for American producers.
Waters of the U.S. rules have evolved many times in the past 50 years. EPA announced another round of changes on Tuesday, following a May Supreme Court ruling that required EPA to revise the definition.
“Our farmers and ranchers want to focus on producing America’s food supply, not on trying to become experts in procuring what was once routine insurance coverage,” said California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson.
Jim Jones has been selected to lead the Human Foods Program, a new initiative within the FDA that will encompass food safety, chemical safety, innovative food products and agtech. The news has received early praise.
There are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S., says columnist John Phipps. He thinks it's a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.
The leaders also drafted a proposed legislation earlier this month that promises treaty-like benefits for businesses seeking cross-border investment opportunities via the tax code.
House Ag Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, along with other members, is seeking additional funding sources for the bill, but that will likely be the biggest farm bill hurdle that may trip up lawmakers.
The North American blueberry advocacy group is urging Congress to support specialty crop producers with current employment challenges by passing reintroduced workforce legislation.
CRISPR results are identical to results of conventional breeding, and it's nearly impossible to differentiate from conventional vs CRISPR. The breeding tool is also having an impact on the apprehension of GMOs.
The specialty crop alliance is endorsing two bills that it believes supports a competitive and strong future for the sector in both domestic and global marketplaces.
According to recent testimony, top farm bill priorities for specialty crops include research, crop insurance, conservation and the climate, nutrition, the Specialty Crop Block Grants initiative, organics and trade.
Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow, (D-Mich.) says there will be no new funding for the 2023 farm bill. However, Stabenow stressed she will not allow a cut in conservation funding.
Bioregenerative microgreens and mushroom food technologies were among the projects picked in the latest round of NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge, which seeks ways to scale flavorful and nutritious food systems.
In what advocates call a major win for the fresh produce industry, Canada’s House of Commons has passed Bill C-280, which aims to strengthen the financial security of fresh fruit and vegetable sellers.
“H.R. 2 does nothing to help U.S. agriculture and instead throws a longstanding foe in E-Verify in our faces,” California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay said in a statement.
"Change happens, growth is optional," said CPMA President Ron Lemaire in urging the Canadian fresh produce industry to find growth and opportunities where others see setbacks.
Kentucky is the 27th state to put a wall up against the legislation. EPA countered Kentucky’s move, asking the court to make clear that the latest rule does not apply nationwide.
The National Grocers Association created a TV commercial saying the tactics of dominant food retailers are unfair and discriminatory, harming the ability of smaller, locally owned businesses to compete.
Rail strikes ran headlines in late 2022 and came to an end in December when Congress passed an agreement. But there may be another strike looming in the transportation sector unless the Biden administration changes pace.
The U.S. Apple Association’s board of directors visited the White House on March 15 to meet with White House policy staff and discuss “critical issues impacting the apple industry.”
“When Ukraine fails, in terms of their ability to produce agricultural products, the world becomes less safe,” says Howard Buffett, global philanthropist and Illinois farmer.
During its annual summit in Washington, D.C., the National Potato Council appointed its next president and selected its executive committee for the coming year.
A President Biden-appointed Equity Commission has outlined a path for USDA reform. The ag agency is already making changes, offering farm assistance and appointing a chief diversity and inclusion officer.
The National Council of Agricultural Employers said the new regulation would inject additional new wage rates into the program disconnected from agriculture to compensate some workers for routine on-farm chores.
Several people were honored and their personalities celebrated as industry leaders prepared to advocate for potato-focused policies with legislators during the National Potato Council Washington Summit.
The FDA has proposed changes to update the rules on healthy food labeling, which can affect fruits and vegetables sold in bulk, cut, otherwise value-added and in juice form.
The hybrid conference seeks to impart thought-provoking advancements and updates from the USDA’s 29 agencies, with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack leading the event.
