USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack appeared before the House Agriculture Committee last week to discuss the state of the rural economy and field questions on the implementation of the Farm Bill. Over the past few weeks USDA officials have appeared before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to discuss USDA’s proposed budget for FY2015. And as always, bills are being introduced on the Hill that would have real impacts on the lives of farmers. Here are some key highlights:
NFFC Board President Notes Progress and Setbacks in 2014 Farm Bill
Read NFFC’s President Ben Burkett Review of 2014 Farm Bill
NFFC Dairy Leader Proposes Milk Price Proposal to Agriculture Committees
To: Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chair of the Senate Ag Committee,
Senator Thad Cochran, Minority Chair of the Senate Ag Committee
Rep. Frank Lucas; Chair; House Ag Committee
Rep. Colin Peterson, Minority Chair; House Ag Committee
Food Safety Modernization Act Update
NFFC joined approximately 300 farms, farm businesses and allied organizations on this Food Safety Modernization Act sign-on letter defending the Tester-Hagan exemption. It was submitted to the USDA as a formal comment on FSMA to both the Produce Safety and the Preventive Controls rule.
The Food Sovereignty Prize from New York Debrief
On October 15th, the US Food Sovereignty Alliance hosted the 5th annual Food Sovereignty Prize at Cooper Union in New York City. Representatives of the honorees and USFSA opened the ceremony with a Mystica, wearing flags that represented the honorees as well as other liberation fighters. The Mystica participants carried bowls of seeds, water, soil, and aspirations through the audience to join Mother Earth center stage. Chants and a song of struggle and liberation were shared with the audience before moving into the formal ceremony.
Letter to Sec. Vilsack about COOL
Please read our sign-on letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack about COOL.
Competition in Agriculture
Letter to Congress on the serious financial crisis experienced by the majority of U.S. dairy farmers
Petition to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack
Dairy Farmers urge all supporters to submit this petition to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack calling for Dairy Hearings. Print and fax or mail this petition.
Joint Letter to USDA Requesting Captive Supply Rulemaking – February 1, 2011
Based on testimonies and information gathered during the 2010 competition workshops, 85 organizations confirm the urgent need for USDA-GIPSA to exercise its preexisting authority under the Packers and Stockyards Act to address a disastrous loss of competition.