The American Farm Bureau Federation recently got answers from President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney in a questionnaire asking the candidates about their positions on energy, farm policy, fiscal policy, labor and more. On energy, both candidates say they support maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard. “Our rural communities, farmers, and ranchers can increase our energy independence and boost …
No Farm Bill Now
Congress left town last week without even considering a new farm bill in the House, leaving the current bill to expire at the end of this month. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said they would deal with a farm bill after the election because he did not believe there were 218 votes to pass either an extension or new legislation. …
Farm Bill - What Now?
The rallying cry of “Farm Bill Now!” rang out around Union Square by the Capitol Reflecting Pool on September 12 as hundreds of farmers, ranchers and everyday folks who appreciate the abundance of affordable food we enjoy in this country gathered to try and convince particularly members of the U.S. House of Representatives that they need to pass a new …
Make Congress Hear Our Rally Cries! Pass a Farm Bill Now!
Have you ever wondered why the House has failed to bring a farm bill to the floor? Today, House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson gave a simple, direct answer during the Farm Bill Now rally held on Capitol Hill this week. Noting that the House still has time to pass this key legislation he stated, “we just need the …
Catching Up With NCGA’s 1st VP
It was great to see National Corn Growers Association First Vice President Pam Johnson in her home state of Iowa last week at the 2012 Farm Progress Show. She had the opportunity to do lots of interviews with the media there for the show and talk about - what else? - the drought and the need for a new farm …
Former Ag Secretary and USTR at FPS
A former Secretary of Agriculture and US Trade Ambassador doubts Congress will get a farm bill done this month and he hopes the nation will stay focused on increasing export opportunities. Dr. Clayton Yeutter touched on those topics and several others during a brief press appearance at the 2012 Farm Progress Show last week. While Yeutter admits that Congress could …
Farm Bill Now Coalition Grows
The number of groups that have signed on to the diverse Farm Bill Now coalition has grown to 46 at last count and representatives from several of them were on hand this week at the Farm Progress Show to talk about why it is important for Congress to pass new legislation next month before the current bill expires. “We are …
Sorting out the Differences: The Legislative Progress of the Farm Bill and Disaster Assistance
This year’s farm bill actions have been difficult to keep track of, even for those of us that live inside the beltway and work on this issue almost every day. NCGA has been working on the 2012 farm bill for almost four years and Congress began its formal work on the legislation this year. But as drought conditions throughout the …
Playing Kick the Can
Kick your legs high in the air, Do it like you just don’t care, Now every woman every man, Come and kick the can. by Dance Dance Revolution The 2008 farm bill was a “Bill of Confusion” - this year we’re playing “Kick the Can” and it’s getting further down the road. The House was going to consider a one …
Hot? Irritable? Cranky? Imagine Watching Your Paycheck Burn Up Too
Can you imagine the feeling of waking up in the morning and realizing that it would be 13 months before you got another paycheck? The drought has farm families across the Midwest pondering just that as relentlessly hot, dry conditions turn the nation’s heartland from a breadbasket into an oven. In a recent story from Voice of America, DuBois, Ill. …