Articles by Lydia Johnson

Ag-backed packaging bill stalls * New wildfire smoke rules coming * USDA office closures proceeding, official says

House Republican leaders are trying to resolve sharp differences over the giant budget reconciliation bill after it stalled in the Budget Committee amid a clash between hardline conservatives and some Northeast moderates. The Budget Committee advanced the bill during a rare Sunday night session, but the Freedom Caucus said it would keep pushing for more spending cuts.

For now, congressional Republicans are focused on their struggle to pass President Donald Trump’s “one, big beautiful” budget bill. But House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., already is eying legislation on trade and further tax provisions.

VAs could get CEQA exemption * The Smiths’ postreconciliation goals * Marshall fires back at MAHA pesticide critics

Democrats are making the process as painful as possible, but Republicans are pushing major pieces of their giant budget bill toward votes on the House floor.

Key House committees continue work today on their pieces of that “big, beautiful” budget reconciliation bill Republicans are trying to push through Congress.

Herders blocked from ag overtime relief * State Farm rates to increase * We’re on ‘side of angels’ * RFK back on the Hill

Gem-Pack Berries hired Tom Smith as its vice president of food service. In the newly created role, he will focus on delivering a quality year-round supply of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries to customers in the U.S. and international markets. 

In a push to make more conservation practices improving water quality and soil health available to landowners, Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., reintroduced legislation to modernize the approval process of conservation technologies. 

The Animal Health Institute hired Martha Scott Poindexter as chief executive officer. Chris Neubert left the Senate Agriculture Committee Democratic staff. Kelsey Freeman Saelens was promoted to senior vice president and head of global government relations at Cargill. 

Susan Skiles Luke is launching her own consulting firm, Farm Bridge Communications. Erin Morris has been appointed to lead the Agricultural Marketing Service after Bruce Summers retires. The North Dakota Grain Growers Association hired Nick Sinner as executive director.