Farm Bill

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The National Farmers Union has named Chase Kusel director of communications. Anne Knapke joined the Meridian Institute as a senior director. She has been at USDA since 2021. 

FMC president Darren Dillenbeck was elected to a two-year team as chair of the CropLife America board of directors. Fifth-generation Colorado rancher Tim Canterbury was elected president of the Public Lands Council. Torrey Advisory Group hired Grace Walker as a member and events manager. 

Top staff from the House and Senate Ag committees continue their private talks this week on a possible new farm bill, even as lawmakers appear headed to agreement on a stopgap spending bill before heading home to campaign.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is encouraged by congressional talks aimed at getting a farm bill passed this year and urged lawmakers to be “practical” as they iron our disagreements over reference prices and nutrition assistance.

Leaders of the Senate and House Ag committees were featured at the annual Friends of the National Arboretum dinner Tuesday night in Washington – and both were separately expressing some optimism about getting a new farm bill yet this year.

The 54th class of the California Agricultural Leadership Program – an advanced leadership development experience for emerging, mid-career leaders in agriculture – has been announced. The 24 individuals will go through a 17-month intensive program with some 55 seminar days, including a 10-day national travel seminar and a 14-day international travel seminar.

The Rancho California Water District board appointed Jason Martin general manager. Tara Sweeney joined the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources – UCANR – supporting F3Local. The Conservation Lands Foundation tapped Chris Hill as CEO. The Environmental Council of the States tapped Jon Niermann as the group’s next president. 

Economists say that farm margins are likely to remain thin well into next year, despite expected cuts in interest expenses, creating a squeeze in farm income that has lawmakers debating some kind of aid package. 

Former Senate Ag Committee chief economist John Newton is joining Terrain where he will lead a team of economists and analysts. Jamila Thompson was appointed chief of staff and Jon Hurst was promoted to special advisor for agriculture for United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Darryl Blakey joined BASF as manager of government affairs. Emma Scott was appointed director of the food and agriculture clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School. The Conservation Lands Foundation tapped Chris Hill as CEO. The World Shipping Council appointed Tamekia Flack as director of U.S. government relations. 

Employers who use the H-2A program are seeking nationwide relief from a Labor Department rule that has already been enjoined in 17 states. 

A senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee said Monday lawmakers are considering attaching a package of farm income support to a farm bill extension that could be enacted at the end of the year.

House Republicans will force a vote this week on EPA’s new emission standards that critics say amount to a mandate for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, some staff-level talks continue on a possible new farm bill amid a continued sharp divide over how to fund it.