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House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott tells Agri-Pulse that he wants to make sure that carbon markets are going to be workable for farmers and won’t harm food production.

Democrats’ massive Build Back Better bill not only protects stepped-up basis, it also includes a long-sought change in an estate-tax provision that could have far-reaching benefits for many farms.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan on Monday offered an updated timeline for the Biden administration's efforts to write a new regulation aimed at defining a "water of the United States."

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Biden administration will be announcing new steps on agriculture and climate “very, very shortly” and also will start filling the department’s state-level leadership positions within days.

The federal government is increasing its oversight of farms and other operations where workers are exposed to extreme heat, launching an enforcement initiative and encouraging employers to provide water, rest, and shade as needed to cope with high temperatures.

The U.S. and European Union are spearheading a global initiative to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says it’s ready to contribute to the efforts.

House Democrats have moved their $3.5 trillion Build Back Better plan a step closer to the House floor, but the legislation is still a work in progress.

The agriculture portion of the $3.5 trillion spending package that Democrats are putting tougher is still a work in progress. In addition to $28 billion in conservation spending that still needs to be added to the legislation, there also will be some new farm debt relief.

Signup trends for the general enrollment in USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program over the last few years are showing higher acceptance rates, but some fear that’s due to the department lowering the environmental benefits index score, which determines eligibility requirements for the program.