Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, gave testimony in the House of Representatives in support of phosphate and potash, two of three essential nutrients for ag productivity. The hearing before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources focused on several bills related to critical minerals, including the Phosphate and Potash Protection…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Hurdle Cleared For Building New California Reservoir
The push to build Sites Reservoir north of Sacramento got a big boost after being challenged in court. A news release from Governor Gavin Newsom says this comes after the governor had streamlined the project late last year, overcoming an environmental law challenge and gaining full approval from the Yolo County Superior Court. Sites Reservoir is…… MORE
Sign-Up Open for Grassland Conservation Reserve Program
The USDA announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can now sign up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program. The sign-up runs until June 28th. Grassland CRP, offered by the Farm Service Agency, is a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grassland and provide important conservation benefits for wildlife, soil health,…… MORE
The House Ag Committee Approves New Farm Bill
The GOP Farm Bill with help from some Democrats on the committee, pass HR 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the Farm Bill. The bill is expected to go to the house floor later this year.… MORE
California Benefits from USDA Fertilizer Investments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA is investing in domestic fertilizer projects to strengthen competition for U.S. agriculture. The funding comes via the Fertilizer Production and Expansion Program. USDA is awarding $83 million in 12 states for projects through the program that provides grants to independent business owners to help them modernize equipment, adopt new…… MORE
Coalition Urges Congressional Action on Prop 12
The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau led a coalition of over 900 ag stakeholders in supporting what they feel is a needed “fix” to California’s Prop 12 in the next farm bill. In a letter to House Ag Committee leadership, the coalition highlighted they believe are several problematic parts of the…… MORE
California Benefits From New USDA Export Market Program
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA is allocating $300 million to 66 organizations under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program. The funds will be used to build demand for American food and farm exports in high-potential markets around the world. California organizations receiving funding include: Blue Diamond Growers, Almond Board of California, California Cherry Marketing…… MORE
Funds to Help Specialty Crop Exports
Alexis Taylor, USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, announced funding for the first five projects under the new Assisting Specialty Crop Export initiative. The ASCE initiative is designed to create more, new, and better markets at home and abroad for U.S. producers and agribusinesses. The partnership between USDA and the specialty crops sector…… MORE
New Report Highlights Pesticide Levels on Fresh Produce Sold in California
California Department of Pesticide Regulation data shows that 97% of all fresh fruit and vegetables tested by the department contain little or no pesticide residue. The department also announced that more than three thousand produce samples were tested from some 500 businesses throughout the state. Among other key findings, 37% of all samples had no detectable…… MORE
Farm Bill Lobbying Is Costing Millions
A new report from The Hill says that pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and agriculture interests have combined to spend over $400 million lobbying Congress on a new farm bill. The Union for Concerned Scientists says that’s more than four times the amount of money spent by the public sector and civil society. The report also found that…… MORE
