We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Terms and Cookie Policy
Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Congress is back in town after a monthlong recess, putting government funding and the next farm bill front and center for many lawmakers. Senate Ag Committee Democrat Tina Smith joins this week's Newsmakers to offer her thoughts on the timelines for both issues and her priorities as Congress begins writing legislative text.
Then, farm policy veterans Jonathan Coppess of the University of Illinois and Randy Russell of The Russell Group take a look at some of the issues facing lawmakers in their efforts to craft new farm policy and avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month.
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a fresh definition for a Water of the United States this week, and farm groups are concerned the new language might have some of the same old problems. EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Radhika Fox joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer her firsthand account of the rule and what it means for rural America.
Then, Courtney Briggs with the American Farm Bureau Federation and Tom Hebert with the Bayard Ridge Group discuss the next steps for the rule, including possible legislative or legal action.
As a former physician and state health official, Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks has a unique perspective on the state of rural health care. She joins this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the issue and how she hopes to address the issue in Congress.
Then, Florence Becot with the National Farm Medicine Center and Alan Morgan with the National Rural Health Association focus on the availability of rural health care across the country and how farmers and ranchers handle their health insurance coverage.
The Biden administration is taking the next step in the process of putting a stop to Mexico's proposed ban on biotech corn imports, and U.S. Trade Representative Chief Ag Negotiator Doug McKalip joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to explain what comes next between the two countries and take a look at other trade issues around the world as well.
Then, Aubrey Bettencourt with the Almond Alliance of California and Peter Bachmann with the USA Rice Federation offer their thoughts on key trade issues impacting their respective sectors.
Former House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson discusses the potential hurdles facing the upcoming farm bill and what a timeline to getting a farm bill through both chambers looks like. He also shares the advice he’s told lawmakers as they begin to draft the next farm bill.
Then, Tara Smith with Torrey Advisory Group and farm policy consultant Ferd Hoefner share their thoughts on reference prices, cuts to crop insurance, and changes that are needed to support small and beginning farmers.
Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett is one of the newest members of the House Ag Committee, but that isn't preventing her from bringing a host of priorities to the upcoming farm bill reauthorization. She joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to talk about her plans to address food deserts as well as the process of learning the farm policy ropes as a new member of Congress.
Then, former House and Senate Ag staffers Lesly Weber McNitt and Joel Leftwich share their thoughts on how members often get up to speed headed into a farm bill process and what staff and outside organizations can do to ease the process.
