2014 Farm Bill

Last week, the USDA announced the approval of the Oregon Department of Ag’s plan to regulate hemp production statewide. This mean, through the ODA the state can continue to serve as the primary regulator of hemp production in Oregon. ODA ...

This was the first week growers in Idaho could apply for a license to grow hemp. The Gem State recently had its Hemp Plan approved by the USDA. While Idaho may have been one of the last states to come up with a Hemp Plan, Chanel Tewalt with the Idaho state Department of Agriculture said that allowed them to learn lessons from other states ...

Ag Senators met privately this week with USDA head Tom Vilsack to discuss legislative priorities. Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley says the meeting was “off the record”, and he couldn’t detail what others said, but he mentioned his priorities. "I brough ...

The Farm Service Agency restored the previous definitions of terms like “active personal management, significant contribution, and related phrasing” in a rule regarding farm program subsidy eligibility and payment limitations. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said the change is more of a “correction.” He says, “These ...

On Tuesday, the USDA announced approximately $15 million to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the 2501 Program. The ...

USDA General Counsel Stephen Vaden points to some of the major differences between authorities for hemp in the 2014 versus the 2018 Farm Bills. "While the 2014 authority referred only to states and certain research institutions, meaning universities, the 2018 Farm Bill explicitly includes Indian tribes ...

Certain industrial hemp growers will be able to obtain insurance coverage under the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection program for crop year 2020.  On Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency Tuesday announced coverage for hemp grown for fiber, flower or seeds.  The cove...

Using SNAP benefits for on-line purchases is not a new idea.  According to SNAP associate administrator, Jessica Shaheen, the 2014 Farm Bill mandated that USDA do a pilot to test the feasibility and overall implications.  She said some top priorities have been security, privacy, and ease of use.   “...

Getting a farm bill done before current law expires at the end of this month may not happen, as congressional leaders have not ruled out an extension.  The 2014 farm bill expires on September 30th, and lawmakers have few days this week to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions of the new farm bill.  Leaders...