The American Farm Bureau Federation has released even more maps to help visualize the EPA’s overreach in the new WOTUS rule. The maps show how the government intends to radically expand its jurisdiction over land, highlighting the fact that nearly all of the total acreage for the four states illustrated would full under EPA jurisdiction. The maps prepared by Geosyntec Consulting show … Read More
Farm Bureau Maps Show EPA Increasing Authority
New maps released by Farm Bureau shows the federal government is massively increasing its authority at the cost of American producers. This news release from the group says the Environmental Protection Agency will radically expand its jurisdiction over land use if its controversial Waters of the United States rule takes effect as expected Aug. 28. That expansion comes even as … Read More
Sustainability Game “Thrives” on AFBF Site
“Thrive” was the first soil and sustainability focused game offered by American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture on it’s educational resource website, My American Farm. The game focuses on STEM standards, that’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and is aimed at third to fifth graders. Through interaction with Thrive, players will gain an understanding of how farmers and ranchers care … Read More
Farm Bureau Releases Drones in Ag Study
The American Farm Bureau Federation, together with drone solutions company Measure, have released a study that identifies and quantifies the benefits of drone technology in precision agriculture. “While lots of drone hardware has been sold to farmers, until today no tool existed to help growers actually quantify whether the benefits exceed their costs, especially when farmers want to outsource these … Read More
AFBF Wants Your Summer Pics
Don’t forget! AFBF is reminding you of the opportunity to take summer photographs in preparation for the 2015 Farm Bureau Photo Contest. Any Farm Bureau member 18 years and older at the time of entry is eligible to submit pics, including state/county staff and professional photographers. “Now is a great time to get pictures of farmers and ranchers working safely during harvest, … Read More
Farm Bureau Analysis of WOTUS
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) today released its analysis of the EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) final rule and concluded that it is worse than the proposed rule, according to AFBF president Bob Stallman. “Our analysis shows yet again how unwise, extreme and unlawful this rule is,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. “Our public … Read More
WOTUS in Senate Committees
EPA’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule was a topic of discussion in two senate committees on Wednesday. The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee passed a bill similar to one passed by the full House last month, even before the final rule was announced, that would require EPA and the US army corps of engineers to withdraw the … Read More
Finalized WOTUS Rule Announced
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army finalized the Clean Water Rule that has become known as the Waters of the United States or WOTUS. According to an EPA news release, the rule “ensures that waters protected under the Clean Water Act are more precisely defined and predictably determined” and specifically notes that it “does not create any … Read More
Reaction to Prospective Plantings Report
The much-anticipated 2015 Prospective Plantings released by USDA Tuesday shows declines expected in corn, wheat and cotton acres this year, with only a modest increase in soybean acreage. Corn planted area for all purposes in 2015 is estimated at 89.2 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the third consecutive year of an acreage … Read More
House GMO Labeling Bill Re-Introduced
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House Wednesday by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) with bi-partisan co-sponsorship. The bill would provide for uniform federal food labeling standards and includes a new provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so by through an accredited … Read More