Farm Bill Signed

Farm Bill Signed

(Washington, D.C., December 20, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today celebrated President Trump’s signing of the 2018 Farm Bill and issued the following statement: “This is a great day for our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers, as President Trump’s signature on this bill is a Christmas present to… Continue reading

APHIS Website Can Help All Gift Givers This Holiday Season

Agriculture gifts

Washington, D.C., December 18, 2018 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that representatives from the North Pole were among the visitors checking out the Agency’s new traveler information web page. The site, launched in September 2018, provides everyone with important information… Continue reading

Dividing Up Tariff Payments

Tariff payments begin

(AP) – More than 1,100 of the early recipients of Trump tariff payments intended to offset the impact of the trade war on U.S. agriculture actually live in America’s largest cities, said the Environmental Working Group on Monday. The bailout recipients, the latest batch of “city slickers” identified by the… Continue reading

New Ag Community Legislation

Ag Community Legislation

(AP) Last week, seven corporate agriculture interest groups sued the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to halt the extension of a public comment period on a proposed mega-dairy expansion in Winona County, Minnesota. The suit highlights broader efforts by agribusiness to silence opposition from rural residents who speak out against large concentrated… Continue reading

California Goes Cage-Free

California Goes Cage Free

(AP) – Just like a decade ago, Californians approved welfare standards for farm animals in a landslide on Tuesday. Precedent-setting “cage-free” Proposition 12 will require farmers to give sows, veal calves, and egg-laying chickens more room to move about and also require that pork, veal, and eggs produced outside of… Continue reading

Early Hurricane Michael Reports Indicate Heavy Loss to Cotton, Pecans, Property

Hurricane Michael Damage

(AP) Hurricane Michael tore through some of Georgia’s most productive farmland Wednesday afternoon and evening, packing winds as high as 120 miles per hour and destroying vulnerable cotton, peanuts, pecans and vegetable crops, in addition to significant property damage. Early reports indicate damage to aerial applicator aircraft hangars, chicken houses,… Continue reading