WASHINGTON, March 24, 2014 - Agriculture advocates will be turning out across Capitol Hill this week for a wide variety of activities focused around National Agriculture Day, March 25th. To start things off, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant will hold a discussion today on “Farm to Fork Politics” to talk about implementation of the farm bill and the importance of bringing more young and beginning farmers into the industry. The event will be at 3:30 p.m. in 902 Hart.
On Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will participate in a ceremony unveiling a statue of Dr. Norman Borlaug, the “Father of the Green Revolution,” in the U.S. Capitol.
Throughout the week, several House and Senate committees are scheduled to hold an array of hearings on agriculture-related issues.
On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the fiscal year 2015 budget request for USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.
On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will meet in open session to discuss the FY 2015 budget request for USDA. Vilsack is the scheduled witness.
The House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry will hold a hearing Wednesday to review the impacts of the Endangered Species Act and related litigation on the National Forest System management.
The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing Wednesday on the FY 2015 budget request for USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics.
On Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee will delve into the FY 2015 budget requests for FDA and EPA.
In addition, the National Association of Conservation Districts is holding its annual fly-in on Tuesday, which will feature Harden and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla.
Meanwhile, the Senate is poised to consider legislation in relation to the Ukraine crisis, and may consider a bill to raise the minimum wage. The House also may take up Ukraine legislation as well as consider Medicare-related proposals.
The week’s tentative events include:
Monday, March 24.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
2:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m. The Senate will convene and proceed with leader remarks. The Senate will then resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 2124 (Promote sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine).
3:30 p.m. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant will hold a discussion on “Farm to Fork Politics” to detail farm bill implementation progress and the 2014 agricultural outlook as part of the celebration of National Ag Day. USFRA will also preview the documentary, Farmland. The event will be held in 902 Hart.
5:00 p.m. Agri-Pulse will hold a Customer Appreciation Reception to celebrate National Ag Day and Agri-Pulse’s 10th anniversary in 902 Hart. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is scheduled to address the reception.
5:30 p.m. The Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2124.
Tuesday, March 25.
8:30 a.m. National premiere screening and breakfast reception for the documentary film “The Great American Wheat Harvest” at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Vilsack will participate in a ceremony unveiling a new statue of Dr. Norman Borlaug, the “Father of the Green Revolution” in the U.S. Capitol.
9:00 a.m. USDA Report: Food Price Outlook
9:00 a.m. Harden will address the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) annual fly-in at the Hyatt Arlington.
10:00 a.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
10:00 a.m. The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the FY 2015 budget request for USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services in 2362-A Rayburn.
10:00 a.m. Jason Weller, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service chief, will address the NACD fly-in at the Hyatt Arlington.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
12:00 p.m. USDA Report: Cotton Ginnings
12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Ag Day Mix and Mingle luncheon with Orion Samuelson, Rusell Caucus room
2:00 p.m. The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance will hold a panel discussion focused on what it means to be a farmer or rancher taking over responsibility for their family business in today’s environment at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. Agri-Pulse editor Sara Wyant will moderate the panel
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Poultry Slaughter
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Agricultural Exchange Rate Data Set
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Livestock & Meat Domestic Data
5:00 p.m. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., will speak at the NACD reception in 1300 Longworth.
Harden will speak to the Missouri and Iowa Farm Bureau meeting on farm bill implementation in Washington.
10:00 a.m. The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will meet in open session to discuss the FY 2015 budget request for USDA. Vilsack is the scheduled witness, accompanied by Joseph Glauber, USDA chief economist, and Michael Young, USDA budget officer.
10:00 a.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
10:00 a.m. The House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry will hold a hearing to review the impacts of the Endangered Species Act and related litigation on the National Forest System management in 1300 Longworth.
10:00 a.m. The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the FY 2015 budget request for USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics in 2362-A Rayburn.
10:00 a.m. The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on “Collision Course: Oversight of the Obama Administration’s Enforcement Approach for America’s Wildlife Laws and Its Impact on Domestic Energy” in 1324 Longworth.
10:00 a.m. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the proposed FY 2015 budget for EPA in 406 Dirksen.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Price Reactions after USDA
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: National Dairy Products Sales Report
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Broiler Hatchery
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Dairy Data
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Milk Cost of Production Estimates
Thursday, March 27.
Vilsack will participate in a panel moderated by Forbes Media Chairman Steve Forbes at the Forbes Reinventing America Summit in Chicago.
8:30 a.m. USDA Report: Weekly Export Sales
9:00 a.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
10:00 a.m. The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the FY 2015 budget request for EPA in B-308 Rayburn. EPA administrator Gina McCarthy is the scheduled witness.
10:00 a.m. The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the FY 2015 budget request for FDA in 2362-A Rayburn. FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg is a scheduled witness.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Peanut Stocks and Processing
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Vegetables – Ann.
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: U.S. Food Imports
Friday, March 28.
Vilsack and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) will host a media availability on agriculture exports.
Harden will hold a Google+ hangout on access to credit for new and beginning farmers and ranchers. She will be joined by agency staff members and a representative from the Farm Credit Council.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Agricultural Prices
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Peanut Prices
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Quarterly Hogs and Pigs
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Rice Yearbook Data
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