Current Articles: Letter to Country Music Singer Jason Aldean On behalf of America's farm and ranch families, I want to publicly thank you for bringing greater attention, through your music, to the challenges face. Those involved in agriculture here in the United States work hard every day to feed, clothe, and fuel our nation in a way that is unrivaled in history... [View the Full Article] Key Senators Urge USDA to Protect Crop Insurance Program WASHINGTON (Aug. 24, 2009)—Ten U.S. Senators sent a bipartisan letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week urging its Risk Management Agency (RMA) to approach upcoming negotiations over the Federal Crop Insurance Program with great care... [View the Full Article] Farmers Wait and Wait and Wait Some More for Farm Law Direction WASHINGTON (June 30, 2009)—Ideally, implementing rules provide a clear-cut "yes" or "no" for newly passed laws. Not so with the 2008 farm bill's changes on disaster assistance, payment limitations, and eligibility provisions, which have left farmers with a lot of "maybes"… and a lot of confusion... [View the Full Article] Farmers to Appropriators: Don’t Touch Farm Bill WASHINGTON (June 08, 2009)—Members of the agricultural community have a money message for Congress – don’t pull funding from the 2008 farm law in budgeting for the year ahead... [View the Full Article] Farm Budget Cuts Could Create Chaos at Grocery Checkouts WASHINGTON (Apr 02, 2009)—A national poll conducted by Harris Interactive two weeks ago found that nine out of 10 Americans felt it was important to grow food at home instead of relying on imports... [View the Full Article] Cutting Holes in the Farm Safety Net Doesn’t Add Up WASHINGTON (Mar 26, 2009)—The government is on a spending spree, funneling billions to big business and “toxic assets.”  Amazingly, one minute expense—America’s farmers—briefly found their way into the cost-cutting crosshairs when President Obama released his budget proposal... [View the Full Article] Hands Off the Farm Bill WASHINGTON (Mar 23, 2009)—Prompted by President Obama's proposed budget—which would gut the farm safety net and exclude many full-time farmers from federal assistance—lawmakers and farm groups sent a unified, bipartisan message today to anyone eying farm policy for future budget cuts... [View the Full Article] Gross Sale Out WASHINGTON (Feb 27, 2009)—While big businesses ranging from insurance giants to banks, car companies, investment houses, and construction firms are raking in hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars, the men and women who feed and clothe the country received some unwelcome news yesterday from President Barack Obama. In the President's proposed budget, farmers with more than $500,000 in gross sales were told they would no longer be eligible to receive a chunk of the farm bill's safety net... [View the Full Article] ForGot Milk? WASHINGTON (Feb 23, 2009)—Open any major newspaper in the country and you'll find countless stories of economic distress. Companies are shedding jobs, house foreclosures are on the rise, and the Dow plunges to new lows almost every day. But there's one story that's hardly been told—a story that has a direct impact on the breakfast you likely enjoy while skimming the day's headlines... [View the Full Article] New Pay Limit Rules Creating Confusion, Chaos WASHINGTON (Feb 18, 2009)—Although farm families across the country were put on notice last summer that strict new payment limitation rules were coming down the pike for the 2009 crop year, nobody could have anticipated the drastic changes that materialized nearly a half a year later, leaving farm families scrambling to understand and comply with the new rules... [View the Full Article] The Not-So 'Farm' Farm Bill WASHINGTON (Feb 05, 2009)—The name "farm bill" can be pretty misleading. Most who do not follow agricultural legislation that closely just assume that all of the funding included in the "farm bill" winds up on the farm. Not even close... [View the Full Article] Strange Heritage WASHINGTON (Jan 13, 2009)—The Riverwalk was hopping as farmers from across the country descended on San Antonio for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 90th annual convention this weekend. The city’s convention center looked like most farm shows. John Deere and Case IH rolled in the big green and red tractors, U.S. automakers showed off the latest pickups, seed and insurance dealers chatted with growers, and the concession stand sold stale hot dogs for $4.00 apiece. But this year’s show had a new comer—The Heritage Foundation, a large DC think tank with a $61 million budget... [View the Full Article] Farmers to USDA: Implement Farm Bill Now WASHINGTON (Dec 10, 2008)—Major farm organizations sent Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer a letter yesterday conveying serious concerns about the significant delay in publishing the regulations implementing numerous commodity and conservation provisions of the recently... [View the Full Article] You Want How Much for That Bagel? WASHINGTON (Dec 9, 2008)—The Washington Post ran a front-page piece in April penned by a fellow of the German Marshall Fund—a well-heeled and outspoken farm critic—about a DC-area bagel shop that was forced to raise prices because of wheat costs. Like many news stories from the time period, the article which is posted on the German Marshall Fund Web site—placed blame solely at the feet of farmers... [View the Full Article] Mainstream Media and Journalism 101 WASHINGTON (Dec 1, 2008)—Visit most any university-level journalism class across the country, and you'll undoubtedly hear a lesson about taking quotes out of context. It is a lesson aspiring reporters are taught early on in the curriculum—be accurate when quoting a source and don't mischaracterize a source's quote to fit the story you want to write. Why then did news organizations like The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal abuse a straightforward statement made by President-elect Barack Obama about farm policy last week?... [View the Full Article] Former Ag Chairman Warns of Doha Disaster WASHINGTON (Nov 20, 2008)—Larry Combest, the former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, this week penned a policy paper outlining potential pitfalls for farmers if the current World Trade Organization trade talks conclude without serious revisions... [View the Full Article] Sticking it to Consumers and Farmers WASHINGTON (Nov 7, 2008)—If you're miffed about grocery prices still being high despite price drops in fuel and agricultural commodities, you're in good company... [View the Full Article] Farm Bill Breakdown: TITLE VI - Rural Development WASHINGTON (Nov 3, 2008)—Since 1973, farm bills have included a Rural Development Title. The 2008 farm bill builds on that tradition, addressing a wide range of policy issues affecting rural communities... [View the Full Article] While Wall Street Crumbles WASHINGTON (Oct 23, 2008)—While Wall Street crumbled, poison seeped through a crack in the Great Wall of China’s bureaucracy over to our shores. And we barely paid it any notice. It would be almost impossible to see a better example of the importance of food security if it were staged. ... [View the Full Article] Caught in the Middle WASHINGTON (Oct 2, 2008)—In terms of farm policy, producers are in limbo right now, caught somewhere in between the new 2008 farm act and the old 2002 law. Farm bill implementing regulations have yet to be written, lawmakers and USDA officials continue to tussle over... [View the Full Article] The Rebirth of Rural America WASHINGTON (Sep 24, 2008)—Want to take a cooking class from the founder of the Viking Range Corporation? You don’t have to shell out for a trendy culinary school in Manhattan; you simply need to head to a small town of 20,000 in the Mississippi Delta. [View the Full Article] AIG Probably Has a Big AGI WASHINGTON (Sep 19, 2008)—During the farm bill debate, critics of farm policy were quick to accuse the men and women who feed and clothe the country of preferential treatment. Farm bill opponents pushed for a restrictive cap—based on a farmer's adjusted gross income or AGI—to limit who can receive benefits from the farm safety net. [View the Full Article] Farm Bill Breakdown: Energy Title WASHINGTON (Sep 12, 2008)—The "farm bill" might sound like a piece of legislation that deals strictly with agricultural policy, but it is far from narrowly focused. Every month, Farm Policy Facts will dissect a title of the bill to illustrate its breadth and importance to people all over our country - not just farmers. [View the Full Article] Meet the Candidates: John McCain WASHINGTON (Sep 2, 2008)—Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was not present during the 2008 farm bill vote but voiced his opposition for it and urged a presidential veto. [View the Full Article] Meet the Candidates: Barack Obama WASHINGTON (Sep 2, 2008)—Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was not present during the 2008 farm bill vote but distributed a press release shortly after the vote declaring his support of the bill. [View the Full Article] It's the Rural Economy, Stupid WASHINGTON (Aug 22, 2008)—Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, and Virginia will be the big battleground states in the upcoming presidential election, according to a recent analysis by CNN. [View the Full Article] Sarkozy’s Formidable Farm Team WASHINGTON (July 25, 2008)—Following the announcement of a trade concession a few years ago, a Minnesota farmer gave a local reporter a quote for the ages. “We need to have uniforms made up for our trade negotiators so they know what team they play for,” he said... [View the Full Article] No Slim Pickins for Farmers WASHINGTON (July 21, 2008)—It’s hard to believe that a lifelong oilman would be the one to throw cold water in the country’s face about our oil addiction. But that’s exactly what’s happened, and this Texan energy tycoon has given renewable energy supporters a big shot in the arm. Recently, T. Boone Pickens announced his "Pickens Plan" for weaning America off foreign oil,... [View the Full Article] US and EU Farmers Agree: WTO Falling Short WASHINGTON (July 14, 2008)—Farmers on both sides of the pond today came out swinging against the direction of international trade negotiations. “With a decisive Ministerial to be held next week, the undersigned organizations, representing America’s farmers and ranchers, wish to express their continued deep concern... [View the Full Article] Déjà Vu All Over Again WASHINGTON (June 27, 2008)—If it seems like Congress was voting on the farm bill every time you turned around, it’s probably because they have been.  And industry insiders fear that the farm bill will not fade from the forefront anytime soon. The first public farm bill fight centered on the now-infamous Kind-Flake amendment.  Despite an expensive lobbying and advertising campaign, opponents of farm policy fell flat and their attempt to gut the farm bill was beat back on the House floor by a 309-117 vote last July... [View the Full Article] USDA Takes First Steps to Implement Farm Bill WASHINGTON (June 23, 2008)—Despite expressing some concerns with the farm bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture appears to be making implementation of the new law a top priority. In a press release sent out yesterday, the USDA announced 2008 loan rates as well as new marketing assistance loan and loan deficiency payment provisions from the bill... [View the Full Article] Farm Bill’s Commodity Title Becomes Law WASHINGTON (May 23, 2008) — Despite a technical error and widespread confusion, 14 out of the 15 titles of the farm bill became law yesterday after the U.S. Senate voted to override President Bush’s veto... [View the Full Article] 1,054 Diverse Groups Urge Veto Override WASHINGTON (May 15, 2008)—More than 1,000 farm, nutrition, and conservation organizations sent a letter to Congress today asking legislators to override President Bush’s veto of the bipartisan farm bill passed last week. Industry insiders noted that this letter was even larger than a similar group letter sent to Congress last week by 557 groups urging passage of the bill. [View the Full Article] Congress Passes Farm Bill By Margin That Would Override Veto WASHINGTON (May 15, 2008)—After weeks of veto threats from the White House, lawmakers handed President Bush a stunning defeat this week by passing the farm bill by a veto proof margin. The U.S. House of Representatives was expected to be a major battleground, with farm bill supporters and opponents lobbying hard for every vote. But when the dust settled yesterday afternoon, the final tally of 318-106 was far more lopsided than anyone predicted. [View the Full Article] Don't Mess With Texas Farmers WASHINGTON (May 14, 2008)—A coalition of Texas-based businesses and farmers are united with a clear message to Congress: support the farm bill. A letter to Members of Congress from the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, representing non-profit agricultural organizations, agribusinesses and financial institutions, urged support for the farm bill that is expected to reach a vote in the House of Representatives as early as today. [View the Full Article] La. Ag Urges Vote for Farm Bill WASHINGTON (May 14, 2008)—In a letter sent to every member of the Louisiana Congressional delegation yesterday, leaders from the state's agricultural sector asked lawmakers "to work with others in Washington, D.C. to over-ride the [expected Presidential] veto before it occurs by overwhelmingly approving the farm bill now." [View the Full Article] 557 Diverse Groups Back Farm Bill WASHINGTON (May 13, 2008)—More than 500 farm, nutrition, and conservation organizations sent a letter to Congress today urging legislators to vote in favor of the farm bill this week. Industry insiders believe this is one of the largest group letters ever sent on an agricultural issue, showing the unity among groups with varying political and business interests. [View the Full Article] Republicans Hold Fast on Farm Bill WASHINGTON (May 9, 2008)—Just moments after details of the farm bill conference report surfaced, Republican lawmakers started signaling their support for the new bill, even if that means voting to override a possible veto by President Bush. Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss, the top Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, said he is backing the bill and will urge his colleagues to do the same... [View the Full Article] Who's Gobbling Up Food Profits? WASHINGTON (May 7, 2008)—The furor over grocery store sticker shock reached a boiling point last Thursday as the Congressional Joint Economic Committee held a hearing to investigate the impact these food prices are having on everyday Americans. Tom Buis, the president of the National Farmers Union, told the Committee that he and all growers sympathize with the impact soaring grocery bills are having on low-income Americans... [View the Full Article] Volatile Crop Prices Causing ‘Heartburn’ for Farmers WASHINGTON (Apr. 30, 2008)—With the farm community’s attention focused squarely on finishing the farm bill deliberations, little notice was paid to an important meeting held at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) last week. Bart Chilton, a CFTC Commissioner, said of the meeting to examine the impact of crop prices on farmers, “Commodity prices are at all-time highs... [View the Full Article] Inflated Costs Deflate Profit WASHINGTON (Apr. 9, 2008)—“It has become painfully obvious that, even though the 2007 sugarcane crop was a good one in most areas, most growers showed little or no profit,” a well-respected agricultural consultant in southern Louisiana told local ag leaders in a letter last month. According to Dr. Calvin Viator, the letter’s author, input prices for Louisiana’s sugarcane growers have increased exponentially... [View the Full Article] Add a Pinch of Sugar, Rice, and Wheat to Your Tank WASHINGTON (Apr. 1, 2008)—In April 2002—as Congress was struggling to pass a farm bill-CNN ran a story about high oil prices. Oil futures in New York were $27.38 a barrel at the time of this story, which proclaimed, "[T]he impact of rising wholesale prices since September has already spilled over at the pumps…there appears to be little let-up for consumers." Fast forward to April 2008. Congress is again grappling with a farm bill and CNN's predictions are coming true. Oil prices now hover near the $110-a-barrel price... [View the Full Article] Farmers Don't Get Much Bread for that Loaf WASHINGTON (Mar. 21, 2008)—Though U.S. shoppers still pay far less for their food than shoppers in any other country, opponents of farm policy who once complained about low commodity prices are now taking aim at family farmers for higher prices at checkout lines. They claim that some farmers' recent good fortunes are to blame for growing grocery bills, and that because prices for some commodities have risen, farmers no longer need a safety net in the pending farm bill... [View the Full Article] Connecting Rural America WASHINGTON (Mar. 17, 2008)—Any farmer can tell you that thriving in rural America is more than just having the right equipment and an available workforce. One of the most important tools available to America's farmers and ranchers—among the smartest and savviest businessmen and women anywhere in the world—is education and access to information. But for education to flourish, you need the right tools... [View the Full Article] Enough is Enough: Congress Needs to Pass Long Overdue Farm Bill WASHINGTON (Mar. 13, 2008)—Growing frustrated and worried about the endless stalemate over the farm bill, U.S. farmers and ranchers are calling on Congress to put differences aside in the interest of quickly passing a bill with a safety net that reflects the best of both the House and Senate passed bills... [View the Full Article] Not Just a Farm Bill, a Food Bill WASHINGTON (Mar. 11, 2008)—Members of the Texas Congressional delegation could start receiving a lot of farm bill letters from people in the Houston area who depend on local hunger relief groups. That's because the Houston Food Bank has issued a "Call to Action" to get the pending farm bill passed soon. A template Congressional letter provided... [View the Full Article] Farm Groups Warn Against Eroding Commodity Safety Net WASHINGTON (Feb. 14, 2008)—Forty-two farm groups today sent a letter to leaders from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees expressing concern that a farm bill proposal unveiled earlier this week is "seriously under-funded." [View the Full Article] Farm Bill 'Shortchanged' by 'Short-Sighted' Admin. Proposals WASHINGTON (Feb. 11, 2008)—More than 20 farm organization told lawmakers today that they oppose including provisions in a final version of farm bill that "fall outside" of the provisions contained in the versions approved by the House and Senate. "We fully believe the new farm bill must not be shortchanged," the farm groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union,... [View the Full Article] Competing Silos WASHINGTON (Feb. 7, 2008)—Although it has been nearly two months since the U.S. Senate approved a farm bill by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote, and over a half-a-year since the House approved its version, efforts to protect tax shelters and loopholes that raise taxes on everyone else continues to threaten successful completion of a farm bill. [View the Full Article] Extending the Pain ORLANDO (Feb. 5, 2008)—As bleak as the budget situation looks for the farm bill right now, "it doesn't get any better beyond 2008," a policy analyst with Informa Economics told sugarbeet farmers at their annual convention today. A number of issues—from a shrinking budget baseline to a growing budget deficit, a slumping economy, increased spending on non-farm programs, and calls to make tax cuts permanent—will mean there's less money to write a farm bill with next year and beyond, Jim Wiesemeyer told the group... [View the Full Article] Farmers to Congress: Farm Bill is Economic Stimulus WASHINGTON (Jan. 29, 2008)—Farmers and ranchers from across the country are urging Congress and the President to quickly pass a strong new farm bill as part of their economic stimulus agenda... [View the Full Article] Farm Bill Takes Center Stage at Farm Bureau Conference WASHINGTON (Jan. 17, 2008)—The message coming out of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual conference held here this week was crystal clear: farmers have already sacrificed a lot in the farm bill and should not be the source of additional funding cuts. The farm bills passed by the House and Senate “represent significant reform,”... [View the Full Article] Senate Farm Bill Includes Reforms, Wins Accolades WASHINGTON (Jan. 16, 2008)—Most priorities championed during the writing of the new farm bill received funding increases. There was more money for conservation, for nutrition programs and for renewable energy priorities. There was additional funding for research, the marketing of fruits and vegetables and even pest and disease eradication... [View the Full Article] Farmers Focus on Fast Farm Bill Conference WASHINGTON (Dec. 19, 2007)—Organizations representing most farmers in America sent a letter today to key legislators asking them to "complete a conference report to the Farm Bill by no later than late January or early February." Based upon the exceptional work of both the House and the Senate... [View the Full Article] Logjam Breaks, Senate Passes Farm Bill WASHINGTON (Dec. 14, 2007)—Farmers and ranchers today applauded as the Senate passed the 2007 farm bill by a bipartisan vote of 79 to 14. The final package did not include the harmful amendments designed to gut the farm safety net, cripple farmers’ crop insurance, and slash farm benefits... [View the Full Article] Farmers to Senate: Bury Brown Amendment WASHINGTON (Dec. 12, 2007)—Groups representing farmers from coast to coast sent a letter to every Senator this morning asking them to "protect what it has taken 25 years to build" and to vote against the crop insurance amendment proposed by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Sununu (R- N.H.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)... [View the Full Article] Lugar-Lautenberg Loses Steam WASHINGTON (Dec. 12, 2007)—Farmers and ranchers applauded as the Senate soundly defeated a farm bill amendment by Senators Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) to gut the farm safety net... [View the Full Article] Combest to Senators: ‘Actions Speak Louder than Words’ WASHINGTON (Dec. 11, 2007)—Former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest urged Senators to finish their work on the farm bill before adjourning for the year and not let amendments bog down the process in a speech delivered today to the Farm Journal Forum... [View the Full Article] Ag Groups Ask for New Farm Bill, Not Extension WASHINGTON (Nov. 28, 2007)—Nineteen agricultural groups wrote to the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate today to ask that they complete work on the pending farm bill rather than extending current farm policy... [View the Full Article] Louisiana Farmers Oppose Farm Bill Extension WASHINGTON (Nov. 28, 2007)—Groups representing most Louisiana farmers today wrote members of the state's Congressional delegation to urge them to expedite passage of the 2007 farm bill and oppose efforts to extend the current bill... [View the Full Article] Commodity Organizations Oppose Gutting the Safety Net WASHINGTON (Nov. 20, 2007)—Twenty-six organizations representing farmers and ranchers from coast to coast are calling upon the U.S. Senate to oppose an effort to gut the safety net provided to America’s farmers in the 2007 farm bill... [View the Full Article] Pay Limit Amendment Opposition Builds WASHINGTON (Nov. 16, 2007)—As word spreads in rural America about a pending farm bill amendment to slash federal farm benefits, opposition to the plan sponsored by Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) continues to grow... [View the Full Article] Policy Analysis: Support the Senate Ag Committee Pay Limits Reform WASHINGTON (Nov. 16, 2007)—Oppose the Grassley-Dorgan Amendment Senate Agriculture Committee Bill Reforms... [View the Full Article] Farm Groups Urge Senate Completion of Farm Bill WASHINGTON (Nov. 13, 2007)—In a letter sent today to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, key farming groups expressed their disappointment in "the lack of progress made" last week on the 2007 farm bill... [View the Full Article] Lugar-Lautenberg: Kind-Flake Reborn WASHINGTON (Nov. 8, 2007)—As the U.S. Senate begins consideration of the 2007 farm bill, it is understandable that Senators and America's farmers and ranchers may feel a little dejavu... [View the Full Article] Brown Amendment Would Wreck Crop Insurance WASHINGTON (Nov. 6, 2007)—Last week, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced that he intended to offer an amendment to the farm bill that would price farmers and ranchers out of insurance while forcing many providers out of business... [View the Full Article] Farm Bill Should Not Be Weakened with Amendments WASHINGTON (Nov. 6, 2007)—The farm bill unanimously passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee struck a delicate balance between numerous budget and political priorities and should not be weakened with amendments. [View the Full Article] Ag Groups Oppose Pay Limits Amendment WASHINGTON (Nov. 5, 2007)—A Major agricultural groups from across the country today wrote leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee to urge them to “reject any amendments which are designed to further reduce benefits or place additional restrictions on program eligibility” when the farm bill reaches the Senate floor. [View the Full Article] Farm Families Praise Roberts Amendment WASHINGTON (Oct. 31, 2007)—Allows Farmers to Elect Revenue Option Without Sacrificing Safety Net Farm families across the country breathed a collective sigh of relief last week after the Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously accepted an amendment offered by Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) that would allow farmers to elect to participate in a countercyclical revenue program but do so without sacrificing their safety net. [View the Full Article] Key Ag Groups “Urge Prompt Action” on 2007 Farm Bill WASHINGTON (Oct. 19, 2007)—A letter from 15 organizations sent to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Chambliss “to urge prompt action on 2007 farm legislation” underscores the need to complete the farm bill in 2007. [View the Full Article] Conservation, Hunger, Religious, Farm Groups Call for Swift Senate Action WASHINGTON (Sept. 28, 2007)—With just two days remaining before the current farm bill expires, organizations of all political stripes today sent a letter to Senate leaders "to support expedited action on the 2007 Farm Bill." [View the Full Article] T-Minus 11 Days WASHINGTON (Sept. 19, 2007)—When the clock strikes midnight on Sept. 30, will the farm bill turn into a pumpkin, or will the Senate quickly collect the glass slipper and give rural America a happy ending? [View the Full Article] Ag Groups United in Encouraging "Swift Action in the Senate" WASHINGTON (Sept. 11, 2007)—More than 20 organizations representing farmers and ranchers from across the U.S. called for "swift action in the Senate" on the 2007 farm bill in a letter [view letter] sent yesterday to key members of the U.S. Senate.. [View the Full Article] 2 Years Later, Katrina Offers Food Safety Lesson WASHINGTON (August 29, 2007)—SpongeBob Square Pants, Curious George and Thomas the Tank Engine last week became the latest lead-based casualties in the Chinese toy saga, putting parents on high alert about the quality of imports... [View the Full Article] Recess Report: Bipartisan Praise for House Farm Bill WASHINGTON (August 17, 2007)—Much to the delight of farmers and ranchers in rural America, members of the Senate Agriculture Committee have repeatedly praised the agricultural provisions of the House farm bill during Congress' August recess.. [View the Full Article] Farm Organizations United as Farm Bill Goes to the U.S. Senate CALIFORNIA (August 8, 2007)—At the American Sugar Alliance’s 24th International Sweetener Symposium, farmers from across the country came together to pledge a common goal of supporting a strong 2007 farm bill. The bill passed the House of Representatives on July 27... [View the Full Article] Commodity Groups Express Gratitude WASHINGTON (July 31, 2007)—In a victorious moment for America's farmers, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly rejected the Kind-Flake amendment last Thursday night by an astonishing vote of 309 to 117. Thanks to the support and persistence of the House Agriculture Committee and Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)... [View the Full Article] Kind-Flake Falls Flat WASHINGTON (July 27, 2007)—After an intense buildup to what most Washington insiders thought would be a bloody battle, the much-anticipated Kind-Flake farm bill hit the House floor with a thud late last night. The plan offered by Reps. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) was swiftly and soundly defeated by a vote of 309 to 117. [View the Full Article] Small Business Committee Chair Backs Farm Bill WASHINGTON (July 25, 2007)—In a Dear Colleague letter to Members of Congress today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) joined the growing voices of legislators supporting a strong farm bill and called upon her colleagues to "Please oppose any attempts to weaken this important measure…and support H.R. 2419." [View the Full Article] Farmers and Ranchers Unite Against Kind-Flake WASHINGTON (July 24, 2007)—Farmers from across the United States are descending upon Capitol Hill in anticipation this week’s floor vote on H.R. 2419 in the U.S. House of Representatives. [View the Full Article] Kind-Flake Would Leave Farms in Financial Ruin WASHINGTON (July 23, 2007)—The farm bill plan introduced by two extremist members of the House of Representatives, Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), would devastate rural economies and farms across the country, according to a study released today by the Agriculture and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M.. [View the Full Article] Call to Arms - U.S. agriculture is under siege WASHINGTON (July 18, 2007)—U.S. agriculture is under siege and the farm policies on which so many depend are close to being gutted. Rural America must stand up and be heard. [View the Full Article] EWG Recklessly Ignoring the Facts WASHINGTON (July 17, 2007)—According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), my operation received about $110,000 in farm program payments in the 2005 program year—a lot of money by many standards. [View the Full Article] Cashing In on Harvesting Cash? WASHINGTON (July 11, 2007)—The German Marshall Fund put out a press release on May 3 that proudly proclaimed, "Dan Morgan, former staff writer for the Washington Post, has joined the organization as a Transatlantic Fellow." [View the Full Article] Scottie Pippen Bullish on Conservation Payments WASHINGTON (June 19, 2007)—An investigation by FarmPolicyFacts.org into the new Environmental Working Group (EWG) farm subsidy database has uncovered a dirty little secret that radical environmental groups likely hoped would never surface. [View the Full Article] The Truth About Foreign Ag Subsidies WASHINGTON (June 7, 2007)—Every Member of Congress today received a handbook highlighting the billions of dollars in subsidies, high tariffs, and other protections foreign agricultural producers receive around the world. [View the Full Article]