Stabenow would delay farm bill to 2025 to prevent SNAP and climate cuts
Senate Agriculture chairwoman Debbie Stabenow said she would delay the new farm bill, already five months overdue, to 2025 rather than accept cuts — sought by Republicans— in SNAP and climate funds. “Tell you what: If we get to the end of the year [and] instead of a farm bill, I have protected nutrition for children and families in this country, I’m okay with that,” said Stabenow on Tuesday.
USDA approves climate funds for unproven practices
The USDA has inflated its spending total for climate mitigation by including practices that are not proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon in the soil, said the Environmental Working Group on Wednesday. The USDA said EWG’s conclusions were “fundamentally flawed, speculative, and rest on incorrect assumptions.”
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Gooden confirmed as undersecretary: The Senate confirmed Basil Gooden, a USDA rural development official, as the agency’s undersecretary for rural development, succeeding Xochitl Torres Small, who was elevated to deputy secretary last July. (Senate Agriculture)
Nursery crop insurance expansion: The Nursery Value Select policy, a pilot project allowing nursery owners to select the dollar amount of coverage, will be available in all counties beginning in 2025; it is now limited to nine states. (Risk Management Agency)
Coalition pursues alcohol labels: Five public interest groups asked Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for a commitment in writing to begin the rulemaking process by June for standardized labeling of alcohol content, calories, and allergens for beer, wine, and distilled spirits. (CSPI)
Growing Climate Solutions progress: The USDA released a report explaining its decision to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program as part of implementing the Growing Climate Solutions law, intended to make it easier for farmers to participate in carbon markets. (USDA)
