Specialty Crop Priorities for the Farm Bill

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By Sabrina Halvorson Since the beginning of the year, the big question about the farm bill has been when it will get done. But specialty crop growers have said all along that there is no question about what needs to be done. AIMING FOR FAIR SHARE“We want to be treated equally,” said Rebeckah Adcock, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) vice …

2024 Election Year Could Impact Farm Bill Finalization

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By Clint Thompson More than a month has passed since the 2018 farm bill expired. A new one has yet to be finalized. An extension is expected by many within the industry. Specialty crop producers do not know when a new bill will be in place, especially since it will likely be dragged into 2024, which would have added significance …

Ag Economist: New Farm Bill Not Expected at End of September

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By Clint Thompson Ongoing Farm Bill discussions are not expected to lead to a resolution by the end of September, according to one economist. “There will not be a Farm Bill by the end of this month. I would be absolutely shocked if they could get anything done. We’ve still not seen a draft of anything coming out of committee. …

Rep. Cammack Voices Concerns Ahead of New Farm Bill

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The future of Florida’s agriculture industry rests in the hands of legislative leaders devising the next Farm Bill. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) continues her quest in ensuring Florida producers are not slighted as the next bill continues to be debated in Washington D.C. She spoke with Florida Politics as the current Farm Bill debate lingers and what should be included. Cammack tried to steer …

Farmer Testimony: There’s No Future in Farming

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By Clint Thompson Farming is more than just a specialty crop producer’s occupation; it’s a way of life. That is why growers become emotional when discussing their livelihood that is threatened by surging input costs, unfair trade practices and costly labor alternatives. Michael Hill is one of those farmers that’s been challenged by the current agricultural landscape. He discussed the …

SCFBA Investigates Unfair Trade Within Farm Bill

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By Clint Thompson A contentious issue at the heart of specialty crop farmers in Georgia and Florida is one of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA)’s main core principles for the 2023 Farm Bill. It focuses on trade and foreign competition which has frustrated fruit and vegetable growers for decades. Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of …

Grower Associations Gearing Up for Farm Bill

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By Clint Thompson What the future of agriculture looks like could be shaped by how discussions materialize this year in preparation for the 2023 farm bill. The farm bill’s passage will have lasting ramifications for Southeast specialty crop producers who hope to remain sustainable for the foreseeable future. For one specialty crop organization, the bill’s inclusion or exclusion of language …

AFBF Establishes 2023 Farm Bill Priorities

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The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its priorities for the 2023 farm bill. The priorities were identified by a working group of Farm Bureau members and staff from across the country.   AFBF’s overarching priorities include: Continuing current farm bill program funding; Maintaining a unified farm bill that includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; Prioritizing risk management tools …

Growers Encouraged to take Farm Bill Survey

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Florida specialty crop growers are encouraged to provide feedback via the House Agriculture Committee 2023 Farm Bill online feedback survey. Providing input is essential to inform federal representatives of the needs and interests of Florida’s agricultural community as Congress looks to enact major policies that will drive the food and nutrition systems for years to come. “Agriculture is the backbone …

Senate Ag Committee Begins Farm Bill Work

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The Senate Ag Committee hosted a farm bill listening session on Friday in Michigan, the home of Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow. Michigan’s agriculture is similar to California’s, in that dairy and specialty crops are predominant. “Our most recent Farm Bill passed with the strongest bipartisan support ever,” said Senator Stabenow. “Senator Boozman and I continued that strong bipartisan …