THIS WEEK IN
Federal Policy News
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USDA ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR $250 MILLION INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE AMERICAN-MADE FERTILIZER |
In an effort to support additional fertilizer production in the US, the USDA will make available $250 million through a new grant program to support American fertilizer production to supply American farmers.
USDA will use funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) set aside in September for market disruptions to develop a grant program that provides ‘gap’ financing to bring new, independent domestic production capacity on-line—similar to the recently announced meat and poultry grants that are designed to promote competition and resilience in that sector.
The new program will support fertilizer production that is:
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Independent – outside the dominant fertilizer suppliers, increasing competition in a concentrated market;
- Made in America – produced in the United States by domestic companies, creating good-paying jobs at home and reducing the reliance on potentially unstable or inconsistent foreign supplies;
- Innovative – improves upon fertilizer production methods to jump start the next generation of fertilizers;
- Sustainable – reduces the greenhouse gas impact of transportation, production, and use through renewable energy sources, feedstocks, formulations, and incentivizing greater precision in fertilizer use;
- Farmer-focused – like other Commodity Credit Corporation investments, a driving factor will be providing support and opportunities for U.S. agriculture commodity producers.
As part of this effort USDA has launched a public inquiry aimed at addressing farmers’ and ranchers’ growing concerns regarding seeds and agricultural inputs, fertilizer, and retail markets. The requests for information stem from the July 9, 2021, Executive Order on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy.” The comment period will be open for 60 days once the requests for information are published in the Federal Register, and upon which time comments can be submitted through the Federal Register.
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CROP INSURANCE MEMBER CALL INVITATION (FARMBILL) |
On Tuesday, March 22nd at 10:00 a.m., the California Farm Bureau will be hosting a call on the topic of federal crop insurance programs. CAFB is eager to solicit member feedback on the current benefits and limitations of crop insurance here in California. It is expected that even more attention will be brought to these programs in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill, meaning any early groundwork on the issue will be important as we begin deliberations with Congressional offices and coalition partners. To receive an invitation for this call, please contact Matthew Viohl.
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CAFB SUBMITS COMMENTS TO DOI ON 30x30 INITIATIVE |
On March 7, 2022, CAFB submitted comments to the Department of Interior in response to DOI’s Request for Information on behalf of an interagency working group soliciting comments to inform how the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas (Atlas) should be developed.
On January 27, President Biden signed the Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (Executive Order 14008), which directed agencies across the administration to take various actions. Section 216, Conserving Our Nation’s Lands and Waters, includes a goal of conserving at least 30% of America's lands and waters by 2030 and directed the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and other agencies, to submit regular reports to the White House. The first report, released in May 2021, specifies that an interagency working group will develop an Atlas through interagency collaboration to develop and track a clear baseline of information on lands and waters that are conserved or restored.
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USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY TO HOLD DROUGHT & FARM LOAN PROGRAMS WEBINAR |
The USDA Farm Service Agency and the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement are partnering to host a Drought and Farm Loan Programs Webinar on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 10-11 AM. The USDA Kings, Tulare and Kern County FSA offices will be providing information on agency programs that offer drought benefits to farmers and ranchers in those counties. However, the information that will be shared also applies to all counties. A short presentation on FSA loan programs will also be included. |
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USDA ANNOUNCES $25 MILLION IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AG EMPLOYERS |
The USDA recently announced that they would be accepting grant applications for the American Rescue Plan’s (ARP) Technical Assistance Investment Program, which aims to provide technical support for historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. These includes efforts to improve agriculture mediation access, targeted financial training, capacity building training and land access technical support, and connecting applicants with other relevant programs within the USDA.
The agency will hold a public webinar on March 24th at 1:00 p.m. PST to give an overview of the application process and to answer questions. Interested parties can click here for more information and registration. The administration has made it a priority to help improve access and “level the playing field” for farmers and ranchers they believe have been historically marginalized. In provided remarks, Secretary Tom Vilsack explained that “This is one of many steps [we are] taking as we continue to break down barriers and be more inclusive of all USDA customers.” At minimum, the agency will provide $25 million towards the grants, which includes multi-year support for selected applicants.
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FDA ANNOUNCES ENFORCEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PORTIONS OF FSMA |
Late last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a mix of new and extended enforcement discretion notices for several specific portions of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). According to the notice, FDA’s guidance focuses on policy regarding enforcement of certain requirements related to supply-chain programs for contract manufacturers/processors, the intentional adulteration regulation, and supplier approval and verification requirements in the Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Preventive Controls Regulations and the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) Regulation. The guidance builds upon previously existing focus in several of these areas, including enforcement discretion for portions of Part 112, applying to entities growing, harvesting, packing, and holding wine grapes, holding hops, pulse crops, and almonds.
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Sara Arsenault
Federal Policy, Director
916-561-5619
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Matthew Viohl
Federal Policy, Associate Director
916-561-5612
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Erin Huston
Federal Policy, Consultant
916-849-3746
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