Debt relief is just the first step toward racial equity in agriculture, say senators The federal promise of $4 billion in debt relief for minority farmers, part of the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package, is a step toward justice, said three Democratic senators on Monday. They said the… Continue reading
USDA data paint a nuanced portrait of absentee landlords In agricultural lore, the absentee landlord is often a resented figure, an outsider who reaps income from the labor of the farmer and takes away the profits rather than investing in the local community. The modern-day situation is more nuanced, says… Continue reading
Stabenow, Boozman urge Congress to make child nutrition a priority this year Debbie Stabenow, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and John Boozman, the committee’s ranking Republican, said on Thursday that Congress should apply the lessons learned during the pandemic to strengthen and expand key child nutrition policies this year…. Continue reading
Vilsack calls for structural changes in U.S. food distribution systems to deal with hunger, equity Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stressed the need for structural changes to U.S. food distribution systems in order to tackle hunger, strengthen equity, and increase access to school meals during his keynote address Wednesday at the… Continue reading
House clears pathway for farm labor reform bill The Democrat-controlled House put a bill giving legal status to undocumented farmworkers and streamlining the H-2A guestworker program on the legislative fast track on Tuesday. Party leaders hope to score a victory this week on a popular idea — an earlier version… Continue reading
USDA invites ideas on climate-smart ag policy To carry out President Biden’s goal of net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases from agriculture, the USDA said it would accept suggestions through April 30 on elements of a climate-smart agriculture and forestry policy. “This includes making the most of USDA programs, developing new… Continue reading
Higher blends and exports to carry ethanol out of pandemic U.S. ethanol production plunged 13 percent last year due to the pandemic, costing the industry around $4 billion in sales. But it may recover fully by 2023, on the strength of larger exports and rising domestic use of higher blends… Continue reading
Missed some ag news this week? Here are seven stories to catch you up. 1. The House on Wednesday passed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The bill passed without any Republican votes. Individuals making less than $75,000 will receive $1,400 direct payments. The bill also included enhanced jobless benefits…. Continue reading
Food box should be a model for USDA, not scrapped, say GOP lawmakers The USDA ought to keep President Trump’s glitzy food box giveaway program in operation rather than let it die at the end of April, said Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday. A food bank leader… Continue reading
Biden to sign bill with $4 billion in debt relief for minority farmers With Republicans complaining of discrimination against white farmers, the House passed a coronavirus bill on Wednesday that would provide an estimated $4 billion in debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers. Coronavirus bill offers aid as food… Continue reading
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