Farm Bill

RSS

Tuesday was John Newton's last day as the chief economist for the Senate Agriculture Committee under ranking member John Boozman of Arkansas. Bob Petersen will retire from Petersen Consulting, the firm he founded in 2004. Erica Venancio, the firm’s senior executive, will assume leadership of the firm.  

After 13 years, Lisa Humphreys’ time at the United Soybean Board came to an “unexpected and abrupt halt,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post. The U.S. Grains Council has added staff and made multiple promotions: Burhan Chaudhry, Juan Diaz, Sam Clemence, Lucas Rudy and Sam Redfern. 

Some House Republicans say they hope the farmer fly-ins this week will spur action on a farm bill, although there’s no sign of a breakthrough between the House and Senate, and time is fast running out.

Some 300 organizations are sending a letter to congressional leaders today, appealing for a farm bill, and teams of farmers representing a cross-section of commodity groups will be fanning out across Capitol Hill this week to make the pitch in person.  North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum defended former President Donald Trump's tariff policy on Sunday.

Farmers who grow the crops being hammered the hardest by commodity market declines are hitting Capitol Hill this week, accompanied by ag bankers and Farm Credit lenders, to make a last-ditch push for a new farm bill.

Two House subcommittees will look into into the food shortages that have plagued tribal communities throughout the summer. The House Ag subcommittee that oversees nutrition programs and the House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee have scheduled a joint hearing for next Wednesday. 

David Shabazian was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the State Board of Food and Agriculture. Rick Alcocer, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, is retiring after more than 40 years working in the produce industry. Genevieve O’Sullivan departed as vice president of communications at CropLife America after eight years. 

Luke Tomanelli joined UPL as head of U.S. government and industry affairs. Berries Paradise elected César Ortiz as CEO. He succeeds Roberto Samano who is departing after a decade leading the group. 

Records show USDA inspectors found about 92 instances of noncompliance between Jan. 1, 2022 and Aug. 1, 2023 at the Boar’s Head Jarratt, Virginia plant now associated with a major listeria outbreak that has left nine dead.