Policy Articles
Advocacy Groups Ask Biden to Withdraw Heitkamp’s Name From Consideration
Published November 17, 2020
Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp has been seen as a frontrunner for the agriculture secretary post in the new Biden Administration. However, the Progressive wing of the Democratic Party is pushing back at that possibility. More than 150 food,…Grain Inspection Bill Advances
Published November 17, 2020
The Senate has passed the Grain Standards Reauthorization Act. During a time of trade instability, Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow said it is important to preserve the integrity of the grain inspection system. The bill still needs to…MFBF Update
Published November 16, 2020
The Minnesota Farm Bureau annual meeting is being held virtually this year. Learn more from Executive Director Karin Schaefer in the MFBF Update.Farm Bureau President to Speak on Policy Priorities at SDFB Convention
Published November 16, 2020
Those representing agriculture on Capitol Hill are busy wrapping up business for 2020 and planning for 2021. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said building a bridge is important with…National Potato Council Makes Fly-In and Meeting Virtual
Published November 16, 2020
The National Potato Council says the 2021 Potato D.C. Fly-In will now become a virtual event, held the week of February 22 – 26. The annual meeting, rescheduled for that time, will also be virtual. Registration and schedule details will…Government Funding a Focus as Lame Duck Session Begins
Published November 16, 2020
An omnibus spending package will be the focus as lawmakers return to Washington D.C. for the lame duck session. Twelve appropriations bills need approval by December 11 to keep the government funded through the 2021 fiscal year. Senate Agriculture Appropriations…USDA Still Working Through WHIP+ Program Backlog
Published November 15, 2020
As of October 27, a few days before the WHIP+ program sign-up closed, the USDA paid out more than $79.1 million to North Dakota farmers for the 2019 crop year and more than $14 million for 2018. In Minnesota, USDA…U.S. Wheat Industry Adapts Trade Relations In COVID
Published November 15, 2020
Improving trade relationships can be tricky during COVID, but the U.S. wheat industry is adapting. That’s one takeaway from last week’s U.S. Wheat Associates meeting for Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers Executive Director Charlie Vogel. Vogel says in the short-term,…Climate Change a Priority for Biden Administration
Published November 15, 2020
Climate change would be a priority under a Biden administration. "What we like about the way Biden talks about climate change is in the context of jobs, ways farmers can contribute and diversify their income, potentially. We like the sound…