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It'll be interested to watch the upcoming Farm Bill negotiations. Will climate smart agriculture funding from the Inflation Reduction Act be repurposed for more traditional commodity support, or will it remain focused on climate related agricultural practices?

The House Agriculture Committee is making strides towards a crucial vote on the $1.5 trillion Farm Bill. Recent developments signal promising momentum, with Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow unveiling a comprehensive bill and House Ag Chairman Glenn Thompson presenting a bill summary set for debate on May 23. This legislation holds significant implications for our agricultural community, shaping policies that impact farmers, rural economies, and food systems nationwide. 📌 **Key Points of Discussion Include:** - Increased funding for agricultural research and innovation to address climate change challenges. - Expansion of conservation programs aimed at preserving soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. - Support for rural development initiatives, including broadband access and infrastructure improvements. - Enhanced crop insurance programs to provide financial protection for farmers against crop losses. - Strengthening of nutrition assistance programs to address food insecurity and support vulnerable populations. - Implementation of measures to promote agricultural sustainability and resilience to environmental threats. - Incentives for renewable energy production and adoption of sustainable farming practices. - Allocation of resources for disaster relief and risk management programs to assist farmers affected by natural disasters. - Measures to address supply chain disruptions and ensure food security for consumers. - Support for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers to access resources and opportunities in the agricultural sector. As stewards of our agricultural landscape, it's essential to stay informed and engaged in the legislative process. Let's ensure our voices are heard as we advocate for sustainable and equitable policies that benefit our farmers and communities! #Agriculture #FarmBill #Legislation #Farming #RuralEconomy #FoodSystems #Policy

Political ambitions and vested interests are preventing agriculture policies from implementing a solid, science-based rationale. This is truly a shame for the European Commission and a growing threat to European citizens, farmers included. #cap #ecosystemservices #resilience #ecologicalconnectivity

**It's Time for a New Farm Bill!** Hundreds of organizations across the country are uniting to call for a new Farm Bill that addresses the pressing needs of our agriculture industry and rural communities. With 2023 seeing the expiration of existing programs, this new legislation is crucial to supporting farmers, advancing sustainability, and ensuring food security for all. Our farmers are the backbone of our nation, and they need our support now more than ever. Let's advocate for a Farm Bill that promotes innovation, conservation, and economic opportunities for rural America. Together, we can build a future where our agricultural sector thrives and our communities prosper. #FarmBill2024 #SupportFarmers #Agriculture #FoodSecurity #Sustainability https://lnkd.in/g5YeqPTW

Jim Caligiuri, Chair of the League’s Agriculture Affairs Committee, recently authored an opinion piece in "The Gazette" (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). In it, he made the case for Congress to pass a strong Farm Bill that protects our water, soil and climate. “Every few years, Congress has the important job of passing a Farm Bill," Caligiuri wrote. "The bill is a broad piece of legislation that directs food and agriculture in our country, but we should also see it for what it can be: a clean water, soil health and climate resiliency bill.” Read more about the opportunities to capture conservation wins in the new Farm Bill: https://lnkd.in/ev7eGE9q

We are gearing up for our Fall Fly-in next week under the backdrop of Congress being one third of the way through its three-week legislative sprint before they head out of town until after the November elections. One of the pieces of legislation we are watching very closely is the Farm Bill. With a September 30 expiration looming for the second year in a row, the questions turn to timing - how long will the 2018 Farm Bill be extended this time and when will Congress pass a new version? News broke this week that legislators are expecting a real push to get the Farm Bill done in the "lame duck" session that marks the time between the elections in November and the end of the year. That would be welcome, but but a lot of pieces have to be assembled before we get there. The House Ag Committee passed their version of the Farm Bill, but it has not received a floor vote yet. The Senate version is even further behind - the full text hasn't seen the light of day, let alone has the Senate Ag Committee marked their bill up. So we roll into our Fly-in at the right time. The House version of the Farm Bill has exciting language about soil health research that we are interested in, as well as a biochar research program at USDA. We are hopeful that the Senate version will be fruitful for biochar as well. Massive political hurdles obstruct critical philosophical differences between how Republicans and Democrats view the Farm Bill, but American farmers are angry at the continued delay and that frustration breeds optimism that compromises will be reached and a Farm Bill can move later this year. USBC will be bringing the messaging about the agronomic impact of biochar to all of our discussions next week. For more policy analysis from a biochar perspective, consider joining the USBC where you can read insight like this in our weekly newsletter. Contact Hailey Faust to learn about becoming a member.

House Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson has introduced a significant $1.5 trillion farm bill aimed at bolstering safety-net programs and supporting our farmers. This package is set to spark a contentious debate, particularly in the Senate, as it crosses key red lines for Democratic leaders. Key Points: 🌟 Increased funding for safety net programs to support farmers facing inflation. 📈 Doubling of funds to help farmers access offshore markets. 🍓 Enhanced support for specialty crops and energy cost reductions. 🔍 Measures to track farmland purchases by foreign entities. However, the bill also introduces provisions limiting future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, stirring opposition from senior Democrats. Despite these challenges, the House draft aims to expand SNAP access, improve anti-hunger initiatives, and remove lifetime bans for individuals with past felony drug convictions. 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e9EkGPPs Stay tuned to Farmers Hot Line for more updates as this legislative journey unfolds. #FarmersHotLine #FarmBill #FarmBill2024 #Agriculture #Farming

The clock is ticking for Congress to pass the overdue #FarmBill, which expired last year and was extended only through September 2024. With the release of the full text of the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 by U.S. Senate Agricultural Committee Chairwoman Senator Debbie Stabenow, lawmakers now have a clear path to deliver the long-term stability and predictability that farmers, ranchers, and nutrition communities deserve. The Farm Bill’s investments in #CleanEnergy, #conservation, and land protection will strengthen #rural economies, improve #climate resilience, and safeguard our natural resources.

Agriculture is the single largest industry in Nebraska and one that different administrations can impact differently. When Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen looks at the last two presidential administrations, he can see some of those differences, while acknowledging, "We work with whoever gets elected." On two issues that impact agriculture, competition and climate change, Hansen sees significant differences between the Biden-Harris and former Trump-Pence administrations. "In the competition arena, you got to give the Biden administration an A or an A+. " ... For daily news and analysis subscribe to the https://lnkd.in/gEFx2TMZ newsletter. #Agriculture #Farming #AgriTech

⚡ Protecting the IRA climate guardrails for USDA conservation programs is critical to maintain momentum in supporting farmers build resilience to a changing climate. Recent research from our team found that for every 1C of warming, Kansas farmers net income dropped by 66% in the last four decades. Funding climate resilience in the Farm Bill will keep farmers farming by adapting to a changing climate.