Policy Articles
Biden and Vilsack Schedule MN Visit
Published October 30, 2023
President Joe Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be in Minnesota this week to promote administration’s investment in Rural America. The presidential visit will be at a farm near Northfield. During the next two weeks, other cabinet members and…Farmers Ask EPA to Withdraw Herbicide Proposal
Published October 30, 2023
Nearly 1,500 farmers and ranchers have sent a joint letter to the EPA outlining concerns with the draft herbicide strategy framework. The letter said this draft proposal is “unworkable” and would impose a massive regulatory burden. This strategy includes highly…Johnson Has a Connection to Agriculture
Published October 29, 2023
Combest Sell and Associates Managing Partner Tom Sell is excited to see Congress get back to work with Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson on the job as speaker. “After 20-some odd days of not having a speaker, we’re back to the…GOP Lawmakers Seek Timely Farm Bill Passage
Published October 29, 2023
Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson seeking swift passage of the farm bill. Sixty House Republicans joined Finstad in the letter including North Dakota Representative Kelly Armstrong, South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson, Minnesota Representative Michelle…Working Through the Individual Spending Bills
Published October 27, 2023
After three weeks of chaos over the Speaker’s gavel, Congress passed the energy and water appropriations bill and is in recess until Wednesday night. This bill cuts $5 billion in spending that was part of climate, tax and health care…Stabenow Calls for Farm Bill Extension
Published October 27, 2023
Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow is now calling for an extension of the 2018 farm bill. In comments made on the Senate floor, Stabenow said the delays in the House made it impossible to pass the farm bill on…Johnson Calls for December Farm Bill Action
Published October 26, 2023
In a letter to his fellow Republicans, House Speaker Mike Johnson said his plan is to pass a new farm bill in December. Before that, Johnson wants Congress to pass all 12 appropriations bills, including the ag spending bill during…More Americans Going to Bed Hungry
Published October 26, 2023
After trending lower for ten consecutive years, more Americans faced food insecurity issues in 2022. According to a new USDA report, nearly 13 percent of all households struggled to get enough food last year, up more than ten percent from…Animal Welfare Standards Included in USDA Organic Rule
Published October 26, 2023
USDA’s new standards for Organic Livestock and Poultry Production include strong language dealing with animal welfare. To qualify for the organic label, poultry must have access to the outdoors and pigs must have adequate space to move freely. Agriculture Secretary…