Policy Articles
USDA Suspends Past-Due Debt Collections
Published January 28, 2021
Due to the pandemic, the Farm Service Agency is temporarily suspending past-due debt collections and foreclosures for farmers utilizing the Farm Storage Facility Loan and Direct Farm Loan programs. In addition, USDA has extended the deadline for loan deferrals and…Conaway Graves Group Launches
Published January 28, 2021
Former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway and his former chief of staff, Scott Graves, are forming the Conaway Graves Group. This will be an advocacy and reputation management firm, assisting clients with issue monitoring, strategic communication and association management.Minnesota Beef Update
Published January 27, 2021
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association will host policy meetings during their Winter Reboot Conference this coming week. Learn more from Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association Executive Director Allison VanDerWal in the Beef Update.MFU Minute
Published January 27, 2021
Minnesota Farmers Union members took part in a virtual Lobby Day recently. Government Relations Directors shares more in this edition of the MFU Minute.Vilsack’s Confirmation Hearing Scheduled for February
Published January 27, 2021
Ag Secretary Nominee Tom Vilsack has a confirmation hearing scheduled with the Senate Agriculture Committee next week. The hearing will be Tuesday, February 2 starting at 9:30 a.m. central time. This will be one of the first steps in the…Senators Issue Resolution to Uphold Navigable Waters Protection Rule
Published January 27, 2021
North Dakota Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven helped introduce a resolution to uphold the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This rule replaced the Waters of the United States rule, which challenged property owners who would have faced new…MFBF Update
Published January 26, 2021
Minnesota now has three representatives on the House Agriculture Committee. According to Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Paap, this is good news for the state's farmers and ranchers. Hear more in the latest MFBF Update.New Study Highlights Climate Benefits of Corn Ethanol
Published January 26, 2021
A new study highlights the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of corn ethanol. Scientists from Harvard, Tufts University and Environmental Health and Engineering Inc., published a report looking at ethanol’s carbon footprint, noting the benefits are undervalued, because too many regulatory…MDA Budget Proposal Focuses on Biofuels, Meat Processing and Conservation
Published January 26, 2021
The Minnesota Agriculture Department’s budget proposal has a three-percent increase from the previous biennium. With the additional funds, Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says the department wants to build on two areas, starting with a $4 million investment in E15…