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Politics

Chellie Pingree

Democrats look to expand farm bill benefits, address food waste

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2017 - As Congress prepares to write a new farm bill, most of the discussion among traditional farm groups has focused on finding more money to help milk producers and cotton growers and to shore up the Agriculture Risk Coverage program. But some Democrats are looking to shift more money into programs that help smaller farms and organic producers.
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Joel Leftwich

Farm Hands on the Potomac…for Feb. 8, 2017

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2017 - Joel Leftwich is stepping down as majority staff director for the Senate Agriculture Committee to pursue other interests. He’s being replaced by James Glueck, a senior policy adviser for the panel who has experience at USDA and in the private sector. Leftwich is a longtime aide to Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and a former top lobbyist for PepsiCo. Glueck, a native Texan, has been on the committee staff since March 2013.

 


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daybreak over farm

Agri-Pulse Daybreak for Feb. 8, 2017

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2017 - There is more evidence of a continued downturn in the U.S. farm economy. USDA says that net farm income is likely to decline this year by 8.7 percent to $62.3 billion. That would make this the fourth straight decline since the peak in 2013.
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Daybreak

Agri-Pulse Daybreak for Feb. 7, 2017

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2017 - Sonny Perdue, President Donald Trump’s pick to be the next USDA secretary, continues to meet with members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, but there’s still no news on a date for a confirmation hearing, according to Hill aides. Perdue, who has the endorsement of his predecessor Tom Vilsack, is racking up support from Republicans and Democrats.
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Ship

With TPP a distant memory, NCBA hopes to protect NAFTA

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2017 - Actions taken by the White House have spelled the almost certain demise of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Rather than licking their wounds from their loss, a major agricultural trade supporter is now being forced to jump into action to protect a long-standing deal.
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