Articles by Agri-Pulse staff

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2013 – U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced Tuesday that he plans to leave his position at the end of February, after serving nearly four years.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today announced that the Democratic Caucus has appointed Connecticut Second District Congressman Joe Courtney to serve on the House Agriculture Committee for the 113th Congress.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2013—The American Farm Bureau Federation today announced that Dale Moore will lead the organization’s public policy department. AFBF Chief Economist Dr. Bob Young will now also serve as deputy executive director of public policy for AFBF—the position formerly held by Moore.

Investments in conservation programs and the passage of a full, five-year farm bill are included as priorities for the nation’s sportsmen in the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s (TRCP) recently unveiled its 2013 Conservation Policy Agenda.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today announced the Democratic ranking members and subcommittee membership

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2013 – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., re-introduced today the Senate-passed version of the five-year farm bill, calling it a “revolutionary piece of legislation.”

The ability of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to promote food security and a healthy diet can be measured and influenced by several factors including household resources and environmental surroundings, according to a report released today by the National Academies.

Rumors are swirling over whether or not Energy Secretary Steven Chu will be announcing that he will step down, perhaps as early as next week. However, a DOE spokesman says that “Dr. Chu is focused on his job as Secretary each day and hasn't made any announcements about his future plans.”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week continued to remind producers to complete forms for the Census of Agriculture—the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2013 - The House approved legislation (H.R. 152) late today, on a 241-180 vote, that would provide the Agriculture Department with $222.4 million as part of a larger disaster assistance package to help states dealing with the impacts of Hurricane Sandy.