Agri/Washington

08/24/2023

Public Service Reminder!

08/10/2023

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine examined federal and state policymaking approaches that address highly processed and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) from 1980 to 2023. Researchers found that few policies directly target UPFs in the U.S. compared to international policies in Belgium, Brazil and Israel, as few of these countries’ policies directly regulate UPFs and several countries’ dietary guidelines suggest eating less UPFs. The study suggests that international policymaking addressing UPF may provide information for future policymaking in the U.S. Notably, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) has been tasked with evaluating the relationship between dietary patterns with varying amounts of UPF. https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(23)00306-9/fulltext

08/10/2023

Just because the day is done, doesn't mean the job is.

08/09/2023

News to know...

President Biden will veto House Republicans’ defense and health and agriculture bills if make it to his desk, the White House said Monday.

08/07/2023

USDA announced a series of investments to increase market access and revenue streams for producers to help strengthen the food system and allow increased access to locally grown foods. The investments include the establishment of 17 Urban Service Centers and ten urban county committees, investments for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program and an expansion of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, including availability of grant funding for the Local and Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Initiative.

Philadelphia, PA, July 21, 2023 - Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a series of investments that will increase market access and revenue streams for producers while strengthening the food system and giving consumers better access to locally grown foods and healthier choices.

08/02/2023

Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) reintroduced the H**p Access and Consumer Safety Act, which would require hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products be regulated by FDA in dietary supplements, foods, and beverages under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The bill would require manufacturers to comply with all existing federal regulations for products that contain CBD and establish labeling and packaging requirements for such products. The bill comes in response to FDA's announcement in January 2023, concluding that existing regulatory frameworks for foods and supplements are not appropriate for CBD products and that the agency does not intend to pursue rulemaking allowing the use of CBD in dietary supplements or conventional foods.

08/01/2023

07/28/2023

How do you use AI in agriculture? https://www.facebook.com/100059742060475/posts/685984516736278/?mibextid=cr9u03

07/24/2023

"A new partnership between the USDA and 31 states will “help lower food costs for American families while also giving farmers and ranchers more and better options,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the White House on Wednesday.

The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission said they would give greater scrutiny to mergers, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development said it would take action against “junk” fees that drive up the cost of applications to rent an apartment."

A new partnership between the USDA and 31 states will “help lower food costs for American families while also giving farmers and ranchers more and better options,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the White House on Wednesday.

07/21/2023

"The ASPIRE Act aims to encourage young workers to enter the agriculture industry by developing apprenticeship and internship programs.

Only 9% of the agriculture industry's workforce are farmers under the age of 35. As older farmers start to transition into retirement, Senator Smith believes addressing the workforce shortage right now is vital. "

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The ASPIRE Act aims to encourage young workers to enter the agriculture industry by developing apprenticeship and internship programs.

07/14/2023

The nomination period for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) annual county committee (COC) elections began June 15 and continues through Aug. 1, 2023.

Throughout the nomination period, we’ll be introducing county committee members from across the nation. This week, meet Chris Linville of Osgood, Indiana.

07/12/2023

"The agency is seeking to better monitor greenhouse gases released through farming, which is responsible for about 10 percent of national emissions." Read more:

The agency is seeking to better monitor greenhouse gases released through farming, which is responsible for about 10 percent of national emissions.

07/04/2023

06/30/2023

"U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making investments to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and support a growing workforce in rural areas." Read more:

Des Moines, IA, June 29, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making investments to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and support a growing workforce in rural areas. The anno...

06/23/2023

"The U.S. Congress may need to pass a short-term extension of the country's current farm bill, the largest food and nutrition spending package, amid delays drafting the next one, the top lawmakers on the Senate and House farm committees said on Thursday."

The U.S. Congress may need to pass a short-term extension of the country's current farm bill, the largest food and nutrition spending package, amid delays drafting the next one, the top lawmakers on the Senate and House farm committees said on Thursday.

06/20/2023

To foil foreign adversaries, the Agriculture Department should “take such steps as may be necessary” to prevent them from buying U.S. farmland.

To foil foreign adversaries, the Agriculture Department should “take such steps as may be necessary” to prevent them from buying U.S. farmland, said the House Appropriations Committee.

06/16/2023

“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds…” we are proud to be FFA alumni and love seeing the blue jackets in DC!

06/16/2023

News to know from USDA!

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2023 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today issued a joint memo (PDF, 194 KB) to federal agency leaders with wildfire responsibilities outlining their vision and goals for managing wildland fires this year.

06/16/2023

FSIS will be conducting a sampling project to assess antibiotic residues in cattle

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from fal...

04/07/2022

USDA Finalizes Expansion of US Potatoes into Mexican Market
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. and Mexico have concluded all necessary plant health protocols and agreed to a final visit by Mexican officials in April that finalizes expanded access to the entire Mexican market no later than May 15, 2022, for all U.S. table stock and chipping potatoes. U.S. potatoes are currently restricted to an area within 16 miles of the Mexican border. Mexico is currently the largest export market for U.S. potatoes and products, according to the potato council.

03/22/2022

Special appreciation to the and who do so much, for so many. Happy National Ag Day!

03/11/2022

Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture to Host First Meeting
The USDA will host the first public meeting of the inaugural Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on March 23-24, 2022. At the meeting, committee members will discuss administrative matters and consult on the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Urban, Indoor and Emerging Agriculture grants.

02/26/2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine this week might drive up the costs of farm fertilizers globally, which nearly quadrupled last year in price in the United States and remain high

02/03/2022

USDA Establishes Advisory Committee on Urban Agriculture
USDA announced the establishment of a Federal Advisory Committee on Urban Agriculture made up of agricultural producers and representatives from areas of higher education, extension programs, non-profits, business/economic development, supply chains and financing to support urban agriculture. The committee will work to improve access to healthy food in areas where grocery stores are scarce with a focus on equity, local food systems, and climate change. The first meeting of this inaugural committee, which will be open to the public, will take place in late February.

10/13/2021

. Happy ! National Old Farmer’s Day is an unofficial holiday of obscure origin that is celebrated annually on October 12 in honor of the hard labor of farmers throughout American history. According to some sources, Old Farmer’s Day has been celebrated at least since the 19th Century, although the origin of this particular holiday appears to be lost to history. Currently, our great nation is suffering inflation and supply chain shortages that are impacting every industry, including ag. But farmers across our country continue to put food on our tables. Be sure to .

10/12/2021

As expected by the trade, the USDA releases bigger crop estimates Tuesday.

10/07/2021

US Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Meeting
The USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee has scheduled a Virtual Public Meeting for November 3 and 4 to examine the full spectrum of fruit and vegetable industry issues and provide recommendations and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on how the USDA can tailor programs and services to better meet the needs of the US produce industry. Agenda items may include, but are not limited to, consideration of recommendations pertaining to labor and production, food safety, climate and infrastructure, and conservation; and presentations by subject matter experts as requested by the Committee.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/usda-fruit-and-vegetable-industry-advisory-committee-virtual-meeting-november-2021

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar.

09/16/2021

USDA NIFA Invests $30 Million Towards Organic Farming and Ranching
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced it will invest $30 million for 33 grants to support organic farming and ranching as a part of NIFA’s Organic Agriculture Program. The grants will fund 22 Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative projects and 11 Organic Transitions Program projects. NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille says by supporting the adoption of organic standards among local, small producers, this investment will help build a resilient supply chain and promote nutrition security.

07/08/2021

NIFA Invests in Animal Health and Disease Research
The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced an investment of $14 million in research to protect agricultural animals from disease. Funded projects will focus on developing new and improved vaccines, diagnostics, and antimicrobial alternatives, breeding disease-resistant animals and understanding better ways to manage animals to minimize disease outbreaks.

07/04/2021

God Bless the USA!