Articles by Sarah Gonzalez

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack pledged his support for the Renewable Fuels Standard at the Growth Energy executive leadership conference Tuesday morning.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday night to advocate for a second term for President Barack Obama.

Republican presidential nominee Gov. Mitt Romney supported the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in his energy policy released today. The main goal set in the white paper is to achieve North American energy independence by 2020, primarily through increased domestic fossil fuel production.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced that Ohio will be the first state to participate in USDA's Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program. Under this program, Ohio's small, state-inspected meat processors will be able to ship their products across state lines.

The White House announced this week several measures the Administration is implementing to address the drought and criticized Congress for not yet passing a disaster aid package or a five-year farm bill.

The House of Representatives voted to pass a livestock disaster aid package, the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012, today with a 223-197 vote.

The House of Representatives, unable to get the GOP votes to advance a one-year extension of the 2008 farm bill this week, will consider a stand-alone livestock disaster aid package Thursday before leaving for August recess at the end of the week.

During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing to examine the failures of MF Global and the Peregrine Financial Group, a witness on the second panel representing the National Grain and Feed Association said bankruptcy codes need to be harmonized with those at the CFTC.

House Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., issued a statement Friday afternoon regarding a package to be considered in the House next week that includes disaster assistance programs and a one-year extension of current farm policy. The cost of the package is $621 million over 10 years with a

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said proposed legislation that would require a national hen housing standard for egg producers represents a compromise supported by a majority of the egg industry, although Ranking Member Pat Roberts, R-Kan., warned that it would hur