Policy & Politics

Agriculture Coalition Comments on SPCC Rule

Published May. 8, 2009

Farm Bureau filed comments on Friday, May 1 in response to a request by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for comments on extending the effective date of the December 5 rule implementing changes to the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) regulation.

USDA Targets $50 Million to Organic Farming

Published May. 8, 2009

USDA will target $50 million from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for a new initiative to encourage more organic agriculture production. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan made the announcement Tuesday to USDA’s National Organic Standards Board.

Peterson: EPA, USDA Will Kill Off Biofuels Industry

Published May. 8, 2009

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson ( D-Minn.) said he will not support any climate change bills and said the Obama administration is unfair to the ethanol industry with its proposals on greenhouse gas reduction. “You're going to kill off the biofuels industry before it even...

Farm Bureau Disappointed That Pact Won't Fully Open EU Beef Market

Published May. 8, 2009

American Farm Bureau Federation Bob Stallman expressed appreciation for the efforts of the U.S. trade representative to expand beef marketing opportunities, but said Farm Bureau is disappointed that the provisional agreement announced Wednesday between the United States and the European Union...

Bacon Running for State Senate

Published May. 7, 2009

Rep. Kevin Bacon (R-Minerva Park), tells the Columbus Dispatch that he will run for the open 3rd Senate District seat in 2010.

OFBF to Sponsor Campaign Management Seminar

Published May. 6, 2009

The Ohio Farm Bureau will join with other statewide business and agricultural commodity organizations to offer a Campaign Management Seminar for candidates interested in running for local, statewide, or national offices. The seminar will be held September 2-3, 2009.

Farm Bureau Backs Burr Tobacco Bill

Published May. 5, 2009

Farm Bureau supports a bill by Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) on the regulation of tobacco products that provides more explicit protection for farmers from on-farm regulation and changes to production practices than a recently passed House bill...

EPA Seeking Comment on Petition to Cancel Endosulfan

Published May. 4, 2009

As published in the April 29th Federal Register, EPA is seeking public comment on a petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) that the agency cancel all uses of the pesticide Endosulfan.

H1N1 Most Accurate Name for Virus

Published Apr. 29, 2009

President Barack Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano are calling the inappropriately named “swine flu” virus by its scientific name, H1N1 virus, which will likely be the official name for the new strain of flu.

Are you ready for the May 5, 2009 Primary Election?

Published Apr. 29, 2009

Ohio's next election is only a few days away; May 5th Ohioans will go to the polls to vote on a variety of local offices and issues. According to Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, 66 counties will have issues and questions appearing on the ballot.