Policy Articles
Minnesota Opens Disaster Relief
Published June 6, 2022
The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority Board has declared an emergency for Minnesota counties. This declaration clears the way for disaster loans at zero-interest rates to become available for farmers who may have experienced damage. Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Peterson says…Additional Actions from the EPA
Published June 6, 2022
In addition to releasing the final 2022 Renewable Volume Obligations, the Environmental Protection Agency is taking additional actions support the Renewable Fuel Standard. EPA is denying nearly 70 small refinery exemption waivers. The agency is also on track to finalize…EPA Unveils Final Renewable Volume Obligations
Published June 6, 2022
Late last week, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized 2022 Renewable Volume Obligations. For 2022, the final RVOs are 20.63 billion gallons, slightly lower than what EPA initially proposed at the end of last year. The 2022 total includes 15 billion…Thune Meets With Farmers and Sportsmen
Published June 6, 2022
South Dakota Senator John Thune met with conservation and agricultural groups in Aberdeen, South Dakota last week to talk about the conservation title of the farm bill. "We tried to get a sense of how do we get the provisions…Planting Incentives Under Consideration
Published June 6, 2022
More than two weeks ago, farmers and agriculture groups met in Fargo, North Dakota for a roundtable to discuss ways to the late planting season. "We checked in with FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux this last week," said North Dakota Senator…An Opportunity to Grow ND’s Animal Agriculture Industry
Published June 3, 2022
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum challenged attendees at Thursday's groundbreaking event to find ways to remove barriers for agriculture to bring more animal agriculture to the state. "Whether you're building a turkey barn, a chicken operation or a dairy operation,…China Troubled by U.S.-Taiwan Trade Talks
Published June 2, 2022
Trade talks between the United States and Taiwan are on the table. This follow’s last month’s announcement the U.S. was working on a trade agreement with 12 Asian countries including Taiwan. The Chinese government is upset with a commerce ministry…USDA Unveils Plan to “Transform the U.S. Food System”
Published June 1, 2022
A $2.6 billion framework USDA released on Wednesday outlines a focus on four elements of the food system. "The food system transformation that needs to take place has to be comprehensive, touching on all elements. I believe there are four…A Global Famine Warning
Published June 1, 2022
Due to Russia’s blockade of Black Sea ports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is warning there is the threat of famine on a global scale. Zelensky claims Russia took at least a half million tons of grain and is preventing Ukraine…