Bringing broadband to all rural Americans could cost up to $150 billion
President Biden proposed $100 billion in his infrastructure plan to make high-speed internet available throughout America, but industry officials said at a congressional hearing on Tuesday that it could cost up to $150 billion to fill the gaps in coverage in rural America, where service is slower and spottier than in cities.
USDA extends waivers on school food program that feeds hungry kids
The Agriculture Department on Tuesday extended waivers to help school meal programs and childcare institutions provide kids with healthy food, as schools eye a return to in-person learning by fall 2021. Critically, the Department announced that these measures on meal services will remain in place through June 30, 2022.
Earth Day vote is set for ‘Growing Climate Solutions’ bill
The Senate Agriculture Committee will vote on Thursday, Earth Day, on a retooled bill that would make it easier for farmers and foresters to earn money for locking carbon into the soil and trees, said chairwoman Debbie Stabenow. A sponsor of the legislation, Stabenow said language was strengthened to assure farmers, rather than investors or middlemen, receive the revenue for climate mitigation.
Today’s Quick Hits
Rep. DeLauro acts on soda tax: House Appropriations chairwoman Rosa DeLauro will introduce legislation as soon as this week for an excise tax of up to 3 cents per ounce on sugary drinks. (Center for Science in the Public Interest)
More H-2B visas: With the U.S. economy recovering, the Biden administration will approve an additional 22,000 H-2B visas for seasonal non-agricultural workers, a category that includes work in landscaping, seafood and meat processing. (Associated Press)
Slow pork recovery: Recent outbreaks of African swine fever suggest “it may be a few more years” before China, the world’s largest pork producer and consumer, rebuilds its hog herd to its size before the viral disease struck. (FAPRI)
Animal-fat diesel plant: A plant producing up to 80 million gallons a year of diesel, derived from rendered animal fat, will be built in southeastern Nebraska in a joint venture by agribusiness giant Cargill and the Love’s Family of Companies. (Farm Progress)
Climate-change coffee: A rare wild coffee plant from West Africa may be the coffee of the future; it tolerates the temperatures expected in global warming but tastes like high-quality Arabica coffees. (BBC)
