MWFPA Convention - Starts Tomorrow!

December 2, 2024 Issue

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Attorney Brooke Rollins will be Trump’s USDA Head. What does that Mean for Rural America?

Texan Brooke Rollins is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), one of the most consequential federal agencies for rural spending and development. But who is she, and what might her leadership bring to rural America? MORE

Source: Constitution Partners

Boozman Expects Farm Bill Extension Amid Legislative Crunch

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., anticipates Congress will extend the most recent farm bill as federal lawmakers are running out of time to approve funding for agriculture programs. The last farm bill -- a multi-year legislative package authorizing nutrition, agriculture and rural development programs -- expired Sept. 30 with the Senate and House of Representatives away from Capitol Hill for their preelection recess. MORE

Source: Constitution Partners

Texas Judge Tosses Biden Overtime Expansion for Millions

A Texas federal judge has struck down a US Department of Labor rule that would have expanded overtime eligibility to four million new workers, kneecapping one of the Biden administration’s most substantial labor policies. Judge Sean D. Jordan of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted summary judgment against the rule Friday, finding that it went beyond the agency’s authority. MORE

Source: WMC

Trump Says He is Naming ex-Rep. Sean Duffy to be USDOT Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he is naming former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy as his nominee for transportation secretary, as he continues to roll out picks for his Cabinet. Duffy is a former reality TV star who was one of Trump’s most visible defenders on cable news — a prime concern for the media-focused president-elect. MORE

Source: WisPolitics

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Specialty Crop Growers to Get $2 Billion Boost from USDA

U.S. specialty crop growers will receive help in overcoming recent challenges through a new federal program aimed at maintaining a strong domestic supply and expanding market opportunities. MORE

Source: ProduceProcessing.net

Lakeside Foods Acquires Oregon-Based Vegetable Manufacturer Smith Frozen Foods

Lakeside Foods has announced its intent to purchase the business assets of Oregon-based Smith Frozen Foods. The deal is expected to be finalized by early next week. Lakeside Foods will purchase the Smith Frozen Foods assets including its Weston, Oregon, production facility and Garrett Packing/Brittany Farms operations in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Lakeside Foods will continue to produce frozen vegetables at these former Smith facilities. MORE

Source: Lakeside Foods/FoodProcessing.com

Food Export Advisor Program Open

The 2024 Export Advisor Program is accepting registrations. This is a no-cost, year-long service providing custom assistance to help food companies kickstart or improve their export growth, for companies interested in using an export consultant to support market research and strategy development. MORE

Source: WI DATCP

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WEBINAR: OSHA Recordkeeping 101 December 10

M3 Insurance is presenting a session focused on OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting requirements. This session will also address the new Injury Tracking Application (ITA) updates for high hazard industries. Safety professionals, HR professionals and other professionals responsible for workplace safety should attend. The webinar will be Tuesday, December 10 from 9-10 am CST, with Q&A from 10-10:30 am. REGISTER

Source: M3 Insurance

Packaging Sustainability Push Driving Change, Creating Challenges

In recent years, there has been a shift in the types of packaging used by food manufacturers, emphasizing the importance of finding sustainable solutions. MORE

Source: ProduceProcessing.net

House Committees, Meeting Schedule Announced for 2025-26 Biennium

One of the first orders of business in preparing for the upcoming legislative session has been completed. The respective caucus speaker-designates — current House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and current House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) — have jointly announced the House committee structure and the schedule lawmakers will follow when they convene Jan. 14, 2025. MORE

Source: Fluence Media

The MN Chamber of Commerce has Released its 10th Annual Business Benchmarks Report

“Our state has numerous economic strengths including a diverse industry base with businesses of all sizes, a legacy of innovation, hardworking labor force and great natural amenities. When asked why they choose to stay in Minnesota, a strong majority of business leaders say it is because their business was established here. … [But] in the first Business Benchmarks report, Minnesota’s GDP ranked 13th in the nation at 2.4%. Today, it ranks 40th at 1.6%. … At this rate, it would take Minnesota’s economy 41.5 years to double in size from 2023 levels, a full 12 years longer than it would take the U.S. economy to double, leaving future Minnesotans at a relative disadvantage.” MORE

Source: Fluence Media

UW Report finds WI Ag Revenue on the Rise, Up Nearly 11% From 2017

[But] number of agriculture jobs and farms decreased during a 5-year period. Highlights on quinquennial “The Contributions of Agriculture to the Wisconsin Economy”:

* $116.3B in revenue in 2022, up 10.9% since 2017

* Number of farms are down from 64,793 in 2017 to 58,521 in 2022;

* Number of food processors up from 1,160 in 2017 to 1,245 in 2021;

* Employment declined from 437,700 jobs in 2017 to 353,900 jobs in 2022, a drop of 19.1 percent.

Q&A with UW authors Deller and Hadachek

Source: WisPolitics

Click for Clean Water Technology

Podcast: What's Driving All the Interest in Fermented Foods?

Fermented Food Holdings CEO Jorge Azevedo offers his insights into the fermented foods marketplace and the demand for those products from consumers, and how FFH is looking to grow not just in the fermented foods space, but also as a functional foods company. LISTEN IN HERE

Source: FoodProcessing.com

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Food & Beverage Sales Growth for 2024 Coming in at 2.6%

Circana’s year-end outlook finds volume increasing, too; predictions for 2025 are similar but with near-zero volume growth. MORE

Source: FoodProcessing.com

USDA Testing for 2023 Shows 99% of Foods Do Not Exceed Pesticide Residue Tolerances

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released its Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary for 2023, which, consistent with previous years, showed more than 99% of sampled products to be compliant with pesticide residue tolerances set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. MORE

Source: CLFP

MWFPA Associate Member Lytx has published their regional “State of the Data” reports (see below). These reports unveil powerful insights drawn from over 40 billion miles of driving data, equipping you with the knowledge to make smarter safety decisions. These reports analyze the riskiest roads, the most hazardous driving behaviors, and the safest times to be on the road across the Midwest. Check out these region-specific insights that help you reduce risk and protect your fleet with data that’s tailored to your area. To learn more about data-driven video safety solutions, visit Lytx.com.

Lytx State of the Data: Illinois

Lytx State of the Data: Minnesota

Lytx State of the Data: Wisconsin