Last month at the 2014 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa I attended the ADM press conference regarding their involvement with Unilever’s movement to become more sustainable by the year 2020. The common theme was working together to showcase and highlight agriculture and tell the story of the farmer who works the ground to make the best product. ADM sources … Read More
Great Lakes Restoration Plan Announced
The Obama administration today announced a new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Action Plan that outlines steps that federal agencies will take during the next five years to protect water quality, control invasive species and restore habitat in the largest surface fresh water system in the world. “We’re currently engaged in the largest conservation initiative in American history, with more … Read More
Ag Commissioners Oppose WOTUS
State commissioners of agriculture have added their voices to the critics of the proposed “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. At their annual meeting last week, members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) unanimously called on EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the proposed rule. The action item, submitted by North Dakota Commissioner … Read More
Conservation Grants Announced
At a farm in Moline, Illinois Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of $15.7 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs) to 47 organizations in 36 states, funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Among the grant recipients, the National Corn Growers Association will receive almost $1 million to promote soil management practices aimed at improving productivity, profitability … Read More
Farm Foundation Forum on WOTUS Set for Sept. 17
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes public comment on their proposed “Waters of the United States” or WOTUS regulations, Farm Foundation is offering a forum on the issue. Next Wednesday, Sept. 17th from 9 am-11 am at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Farm Foundation hosts a free forum on how … Read More
Hick Chick Chat with Bill Northey
During the 2014 Farm Progress Show I got to Hick Chick chat with Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey. We talked about the importance of having the Farm Progress Show in Iowa, how the corn and soybean crops look this year, his hope of being elected to another four year term as agriculture secretary for the state, and what he learned … Read More
House Votes to Stop WOTUS
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 262 to 152 Tuesday to override a proposed rule that would greatly expand regulation of waters in the United States. A parade of Congressional representatives from both parties spoke up for the bill that would stop the controversial rule proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clarify … Read More
EPA Official Talks WOTUS at FPS
Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks held an informal press availability at the Farm Progress Show on Wednesday to mainly talk about the proposed Waters of the United States rule. He stressed the point that has been made by other officials that the rule exempts all normal farming practices that are currently exempt. “If you did not need … Read More
Iowa Governor Visits Farm Progress Show
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad paid a visit to the 2014 Farm Progress Show Tuesday and met with some of the show’s international visitors. “I do a lot of international travel to promote what we produce in Iowa,” said Branstad. “We are the leading corn producing state, leading soybean producing state, leading pork producing state, leading egg producing state, we also … Read More
New USDA Conservation Program Receives Nearly 600 Proposals
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that USDA’s new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which brings together businesses, tribes, communities and other non-government partners to invest in conservation efforts, has drawn an overwhelming response from partners across the nation. Nearly 5,000 organizations partnered together to submit nearly 600 pre-proposals by the July deadline. “This program is an entirely new approach to … Read More