This Week's NASDA News
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:18 pm
March 20, 2012
News from Washington:
House Budget Committee Releases New Budget Proposal
Today Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his proposal for the FY2013 Budget. On the agriculture side, the proposal would reduce spending by $30 billion over 10 years by reducing direct payments and reforming crop insurance so that agriculture producers take on more responsibilities related to managing risk. The proposal did note that these savings would not begin until the passage of a new farm bill.
In addition to curtailing farmer's safety net, the proposed budget would convert the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into a block grant program administered by the states.
In a statement, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) cautioned about "reading too much into the numbers or policy proposals in either the President's budget or the Ryan budget" and stated that his committee was committed to writing a "fiscally responsible Farm Bill that ensures Americans continue to have a safe, affordable, and stable food supply."
The bill is scheduled for full committee markup on March 21, 2012. (Contact: Nathan Bowen, By: Kenton Kirkpatrick)
Environmental Groups Sue EPA over Mississippi River
A new lawsuit alleges that the Environmental Protection Agency violated the Administrative Procedure Act when it refused a 2008 petition that would have required states to develop water quality standards for the Mississippi River Basin and the northern Gulf of Mexico.
The lawsuit, filed March 13 by 11 environmental organizations in six states, asks the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to declare that EPA's denial of the petition was not compatible with the law.
In the fall of 2011 EPA denied the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy's petition request to develop Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNCs) for the Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico. The EPA denied this request with claims that the petition's demands were out of its jurisdictional duties.
If the EPA loses the lawsuit and has to impose NNCs in the Mississippi River Basin, agricultural producers could expect to be constrained by new regulatory requirements. The environmental groups are asking the agency to respond within 90 days. (Contact: Nathan Bowen, By: Jacaselon Pickens)
Farm Service Agency Releases Final Rule for Conservation Loan Program
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has published a final rule, effective May 18, 2012, for direct and guaranteed loans under the Conservation Loan Program. The FSA adopted some changes based on comments received about the interim rule, including amending the definitions of "Conservation Practice", "Forest Stewardship Management Plan", and "Conservation Project." In addition, the length of the repayment period has been extended to a maximum of 30 years (instead of the current 20 years) to reduce competition between commercial lenders and FSA. FSA also clarified that lenders must ensure the borrower remains in compliance with their conservation plan. Finally, FSA ruled that loans for $25,000 or less may be secured by a lien on chattels instead of real estate. For further information, including a discussion of the comments received, click here. (Contact: Nathan Bowen, By: Kenton Kirkpatrick)
Former Miss America Speaks at National Sorghum Producers Meeting
Former Miss America Teresa Scanlon was the keynote speaker at the National Sorghum Producers annual meeting earlier this month. The native Nebraskan has continued to support American agriculture since winning the 2011 Miss America pageant. To watch the video of her speech, click here. (Contact: Stephen Haterius)
News from the States:
Massachusetts: Wineries Report 66 Percent Increase in Sales
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Commissioner Scott J. Soares announced last week a 66 percent increase in overall sales at Massachusetts wineries last year, thanks to sales of wine at farmers' markets and agricultural events, which were allowed for the first time in 2011.
During the 2011 season, 18 local wineries participated at 67 different agricultural events, including 63 farmers' markets and four agricultural fairs and festivals. Wineries reported an average 66 percent increase in overall sales due to sales from these markets. According to the Department of Agricultural Resources survey, sales at farmers' markets totaled 34,280 bottles of wine - with an approximate value of $514,200. For more information, click here.
Missouri: Director of Agriculture Announces $350,000 in Grants for Missouri Farms
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for funding to increase the production, processing and or distribution of Missouri's specialty crops. The Department anticipates receiving more than $350,000 in grant funding for fiscal year 2013 from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Missouri.
"Specialty crop grants provide assistance to Missouri producers in reaching their goals and paving their way to increased opportunities in agriculture," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "We continue to look for every opportunity to assist and support our state's agricultural producers. This funding is one more way to reduce some of the financial hurdles of bringing these products to market and help farmers grow their businesses." For more information, click here.
South Dakota: Ag Officials Head to China
Dual trade missions are taking two South Dakota agriculture officials to China later this month. South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones will be part of Gov. Dennis Daugaard's trade delegation to China, and Lucas Lentsch, Director of Ag Development in the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, will be part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to China.
"At no other time in the history of our country has food production been more in demand. With seven billion people in the world, demand is not going to diminish," Lentsch said. "Opening up trade conversations with the world's most populous country is a great opportunity for South Dakota's agricultural businesses." For more information, click here.
Virginia: $10 Challenge could add $1.65 Bill Annually to Virginia's Economy
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is joining other agricultural organizations in Virginia to encourage Virginians to spend at least $10 per week on locally grown foods and beverages. Research by Virginia Cooperative Extension has shown that if each household in Virginia spent just $10 a week on locally grown agricultural products, consumers would invest an additional $1.65 billion back into the local economy each year.
Matthew J. Lohr, VDACS Commissioner, urges all Virginia to take the challenge. He reminds consumers that it's probably much easier than they realize to buy local foods, beverages and other agricultural products such as plants, shrubs, Christmas trees and flowers. "Remember," he says, "you can help turn $10 a week into an extra $1.65 billion for your local economy." For more information, click here.
West Virginia: Farmer Helps USDA introduce New "Know Your Farmer" Tool
West Virginia farmer Derek Kilmer was one of a small group of farmers who took part in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) webinar/Twitter feed to kick off the agency's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass." The event was held at the White House March 5.
"I hope that programs like these will make urban areas more aware of where their food comes from," said West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. "I think we're beginning to see a greater appreciation for the farmer as a person, and the farm as something more than a piece of real estate, but we still have a lot of work to do to get our message to the larger public."
Among the themes covered on the map and in the narrative portion of the Compass are: Local food infrastructure, farm-to-institution programs, careers in agriculture, environmental stewardship, local meat and poultry, access to healthy food and local food knowledge. For more information, click here.
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NASDA does not discriminate in employment practices or programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, or family status.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
1156 15th Street, Suite 1020 Washington, DC 20005
News from Washington:
House Budget Committee Releases New Budget Proposal
Today Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his proposal for the FY2013 Budget. On the agriculture side, the proposal would reduce spending by $30 billion over 10 years by reducing direct payments and reforming crop insurance so that agriculture producers take on more responsibilities related to managing risk. The proposal did note that these savings would not begin until the passage of a new farm bill.
In addition to curtailing farmer's safety net, the proposed budget would convert the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into a block grant program administered by the states.
In a statement, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) cautioned about "reading too much into the numbers or policy proposals in either the President's budget or the Ryan budget" and stated that his committee was committed to writing a "fiscally responsible Farm Bill that ensures Americans continue to have a safe, affordable, and stable food supply."
The bill is scheduled for full committee markup on March 21, 2012. (Contact: Nathan Bowen, By: Kenton Kirkpatrick)
Environmental Groups Sue EPA over Mississippi River
A new lawsuit alleges that the Environmental Protection Agency violated the Administrative Procedure Act when it refused a 2008 petition that would have required states to develop water quality standards for the Mississippi River Basin and the northern Gulf of Mexico.
The lawsuit, filed March 13 by 11 environmental organizations in six states, asks the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to declare that EPA's denial of the petition was not compatible with the law.
In the fall of 2011 EPA denied the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy's petition request to develop Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNCs) for the Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico. The EPA denied this request with claims that the petition's demands were out of its jurisdictional duties.
If the EPA loses the lawsuit and has to impose NNCs in the Mississippi River Basin, agricultural producers could expect to be constrained by new regulatory requirements. The environmental groups are asking the agency to respond within 90 days. (Contact: Nathan Bowen, By: Jacaselon Pickens)
Farm Service Agency Releases Final Rule for Conservation Loan Program
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has published a final rule, effective May 18, 2012, for direct and guaranteed loans under the Conservation Loan Program. The FSA adopted some changes based on comments received about the interim rule, including amending the definitions of "Conservation Practice", "Forest Stewardship Management Plan", and "Conservation Project." In addition, the length of the repayment period has been extended to a maximum of 30 years (instead of the current 20 years) to reduce competition between commercial lenders and FSA. FSA also clarified that lenders must ensure the borrower remains in compliance with their conservation plan. Finally, FSA ruled that loans for $25,000 or less may be secured by a lien on chattels instead of real estate. For further information, including a discussion of the comments received, click here. (Contact: Nathan Bowen, By: Kenton Kirkpatrick)
Former Miss America Speaks at National Sorghum Producers Meeting
Former Miss America Teresa Scanlon was the keynote speaker at the National Sorghum Producers annual meeting earlier this month. The native Nebraskan has continued to support American agriculture since winning the 2011 Miss America pageant. To watch the video of her speech, click here. (Contact: Stephen Haterius)
News from the States:
Massachusetts: Wineries Report 66 Percent Increase in Sales
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Commissioner Scott J. Soares announced last week a 66 percent increase in overall sales at Massachusetts wineries last year, thanks to sales of wine at farmers' markets and agricultural events, which were allowed for the first time in 2011.
During the 2011 season, 18 local wineries participated at 67 different agricultural events, including 63 farmers' markets and four agricultural fairs and festivals. Wineries reported an average 66 percent increase in overall sales due to sales from these markets. According to the Department of Agricultural Resources survey, sales at farmers' markets totaled 34,280 bottles of wine - with an approximate value of $514,200. For more information, click here.
Missouri: Director of Agriculture Announces $350,000 in Grants for Missouri Farms
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals for funding to increase the production, processing and or distribution of Missouri's specialty crops. The Department anticipates receiving more than $350,000 in grant funding for fiscal year 2013 from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Missouri.
"Specialty crop grants provide assistance to Missouri producers in reaching their goals and paving their way to increased opportunities in agriculture," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "We continue to look for every opportunity to assist and support our state's agricultural producers. This funding is one more way to reduce some of the financial hurdles of bringing these products to market and help farmers grow their businesses." For more information, click here.
South Dakota: Ag Officials Head to China
Dual trade missions are taking two South Dakota agriculture officials to China later this month. South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Walt Bones will be part of Gov. Dennis Daugaard's trade delegation to China, and Lucas Lentsch, Director of Ag Development in the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, will be part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to China.
"At no other time in the history of our country has food production been more in demand. With seven billion people in the world, demand is not going to diminish," Lentsch said. "Opening up trade conversations with the world's most populous country is a great opportunity for South Dakota's agricultural businesses." For more information, click here.
Virginia: $10 Challenge could add $1.65 Bill Annually to Virginia's Economy
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is joining other agricultural organizations in Virginia to encourage Virginians to spend at least $10 per week on locally grown foods and beverages. Research by Virginia Cooperative Extension has shown that if each household in Virginia spent just $10 a week on locally grown agricultural products, consumers would invest an additional $1.65 billion back into the local economy each year.
Matthew J. Lohr, VDACS Commissioner, urges all Virginia to take the challenge. He reminds consumers that it's probably much easier than they realize to buy local foods, beverages and other agricultural products such as plants, shrubs, Christmas trees and flowers. "Remember," he says, "you can help turn $10 a week into an extra $1.65 billion for your local economy." For more information, click here.
West Virginia: Farmer Helps USDA introduce New "Know Your Farmer" Tool
West Virginia farmer Derek Kilmer was one of a small group of farmers who took part in a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) webinar/Twitter feed to kick off the agency's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass." The event was held at the White House March 5.
"I hope that programs like these will make urban areas more aware of where their food comes from," said West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. "I think we're beginning to see a greater appreciation for the farmer as a person, and the farm as something more than a piece of real estate, but we still have a lot of work to do to get our message to the larger public."
Among the themes covered on the map and in the narrative portion of the Compass are: Local food infrastructure, farm-to-institution programs, careers in agriculture, environmental stewardship, local meat and poultry, access to healthy food and local food knowledge. For more information, click here.
Join Our Mailing List!
NASDA does not discriminate in employment practices or programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, or family status.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
1156 15th Street, Suite 1020 Washington, DC 20005