Policy Articles
Under Secretary Bonnie Meets with House Ag Subcommittee
Published February 10, 2022
USDA Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie met with the House Ag Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management on Tuesday. Bonnie answered questions on crop insurance, farm programs and disaster aid. Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig…Drought Relief Discussed in MN House Ag Committee
Published February 10, 2022
There is broad support for drought assistance in the Minnesota Legislature, but this relief is not without criticism. "There are a lot of businesses that fail that have to have insurance or they have to go into bankruptcy," said State…Prince Edward Island Resumes Fresh Potato Exports to Puerto Rico
Published February 9, 2022
USDA approved fresh potato shipments from Prince Edward Island to Puerto Rico, but not mainland United States. Canadian authorities voluntarily suspended exports of all potatoes for consumption and planting from PEI due to a detection of potato wart. This potato…Ag Committee Reviews Plant-Based Grant Proposal
Published February 8, 2022
A bill creating a $2 million pilot grant program to develop a plant-based agriculture industry has been laid over by the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee. "Public research funded by this state will help ensure that this industry stays at home…USDA Launches New Climate Partnership
Published February 7, 2022
The USDA is now accepting applications for a new climate partnership called Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. There is $1 billion to finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for farmers to implement conservation practices, quantify greenhouse gas benefits associated with…Klobuchar: Lawmakers Can Help with Supply Chain Challenges
Published February 7, 2022
Farmers are navigating product shortages due to the supply chain issues. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar says there are short-term and longer-term things that could be done to help alleviate that stress. "We need to make more stuff in America. This…Republican Senators Ask Agencies to Suspend WOTUS Rulemaking
Published February 4, 2022
Senate Republicans want the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to suspend the pending Waters of the United States rule making. At least until the Supreme Court completes its consideration of Sackett versus the EPA. Lawmakers including Senators John Thune…‘Very Troubled’
Published February 4, 2022
The Renewable Fuels Association wants EPA to make changes to their proposed Renewable Volume Obligations for 2021 and 2022. In public comments to the proposed rule, RFA commended the EPA for their proposed volumes for 2022. However, the pro-ethanol group…Vilsack: New Farm Bill Needs More Flexibility
Published February 4, 2022
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack would like the next farm bill to have flexible programs. "We found in the course of the COVID pandemic and other significant disasters that different parts of the country have been impacted or affected differently. Sometimes…