FarmPolicy

2012 Drought Garners High-Level Attention

On Wednesday’s AgriTalk Radio program with Mike Adams, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack (pictured at right) explained recent administration policy updates that have been implemented to assist producers and rural communities that are currently impacted by the 2012 drought.

Also on Wednesday, during a campaign stop in Des Moines, Iowa, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney mentioned the drought at the opening of his remarks.
 

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Posted by Keith Good • August, 8, 2012 • 5:36 pm

Rep. Shimkus: Discusses Drought, Farm Bill (8.2)

Congressman John Shimkus (R., Il.) discusses the issues facing America’s farmers during the current drought and the need to bring the Farm Bill to the floor of the House for a vote.

Posted by Keith Good • August, 8, 2012 • 5:19 pm

Farm Bill Issues; Ag Economy; RFS; and, the Budget

Farm Bill: Executive Branch Perspective from President Obama

Erik Wasson reported yesterday at The Hill’s On the Money Blog that, “President Obama on Tuesday called on Congress to pass the stalled five-year farm bill and said it, more than anything else, is the best way to combat the historic drought gripping most of rural America.

“‘That’s the single best way to help rural communities both in the short term and in the long term,’ Obama said.

“Obama made the comments at a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Small Business Administrator Karen Mills on the drought.”  (Note: A video replay of the President’s remarks can be found here – about three minutes).

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Posted by Keith Good • August, 8, 2012 • 4:04 am

President Obama Discusses Drought Response Effort (8.7)

At a White House Rural Council meeting, President Obama says that the Department of Agriculture has been working with every other agency across the federal government to make sure that we are taking every single possible step to help farmers and ranchers to fight back and recover from this disaster.

Posted by Keith Good • August, 8, 2012 • 1:44 am