The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and CNH Industrial brands, which includes Case IH and New Holland, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on March 9, 2023, that provides farmers the right to repair their own farm equipment. The MOU follows a similar agreement AFBF entered into with John Deere earlier this year.

“Our members urged us to find a private sector-solution that gives them access to repair their own equipment and I’m pleased months of discussions have again paid off,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers are more dependent on technology than ever before, so it’s critical they have access to the tools to keep things running on the farm so the food supply chain keeps running, too.”

“We understand the work our customers do is time-sensitive and critical for a safe and abundant food and fiber supply,” said Sally Johnson, Vice President, New Holland Agriculture North America. “This agreement is the next step in delivering on New Holland’s promise to better serve our customers, and in a way that helps them safely and effectively manage and maintain their equipment uptime.”

“This agreement underscores CNH Industrial’s commitment to empowering our customers by providing them with resources and tools that allow them to safely self-repair their equipment in a timely matter,” said Kurt Coffey, Vice President, Case IH North America. “We know that agricultural equipment is one of the most significant investments for the American farmer. As a farmer, Farm Bureau member myself and brand leader, this MOU is a positive step forward in continuing to put the customer at the center of everything Case IH does.”

The MOU sets a framework for farmers and independent repair facilities in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico to access CNH Industrial brand manuals, tools, product guides and information to self-diagnose and self-repair machines, as well as support from CNH Industrial brands to directly purchase diagnostic tools and order products and parts.

The MOU respects intellectual property rights and recognizes the need to ensure safety controls and emission systems are not altered. CNH Industrial and AFBF will meet semiannually to review the agreement and address ongoing concerns.

The AFBF board of directors unanimously approved the MOU with CNH Industrial brands Case IH and New Holland.

Read the MOU here.

While the General Assembly was originally scheduled to adjourn this Saturday, unfortunately, that is no longer the case. The House of Delegates and the Senate have been unable to produce a budget conference committee report, therefore the bodies have yet to vote on final adoption of a budget. This means that the General Assembly session will be extended; however, it is unclear at this time for how long.

We will send a comprehensive update of final bills and budget items as soon as possible. In the meantime, please enjoy our annual “smiley face” bill rundown!

This week, we’re giving you updates on bills covering renewal of the food donation tax credit, mandatory farm practices and stormwater management and erosion sediment control for farm buildings. Watch until the end for a preview of the big things happening next week!

Watch Virginia Farm Bureau’s governmental relations team provide updates on Week 5 of the Virginia General Assembly.

Interested groups should submit specialty crop block grant applications before Feb. 27

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) anticipates administering nearly $550,000 in USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block Grant funding to increase the competitiveness of Virginia specialty crops. Agricultural associations, industry and producer groups, localities, community-based organizations, educational institutions and non-profits are eligible for this grant opportunity. Eligible groups must submit proposals for grants of up to $75,000 per project by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2023. Individual producers are not eligible for this grant.

Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, including floriculture, that are not typically covered by traditional crop insurance. Specialty crops do not include standard commodities such as corn, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, cotton or tobacco. Processed foods are eligible, provided their development enhances the competitiveness of one or more specialty crops.

Specialty crop competitive grant proposals must be specific and explain how an association, industry group or organization will use the funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Some examples include research, promotion and marketing plans, as well as food safety projects and projects that improve food access.

In awarding the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funds, VDACS will give priority to projects with the sole purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops as they pertain to the following issues:

• Enhancing food safety.
• Improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act and in cost-share arrangements for finding audits of such systems (including USDA GroupGAP) for small farmers, packers, and processors.
• Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes.
• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops.
• Improving pest and disease control.
• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops.
• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; and
• Enhancing sustainability.

Guidelines, instructions and the application for the USDA Specialty Crop Competitive Grants are available online at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/sales-specialty-crop-competitive-grant-program.shtml, via e-mail to Melissa Ball at melissa.ball@vdacs.virginia.gov or by mailing VDACS, Specialty Crop Grants Application, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA  23219.

Applications received after the 5 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2023, will not be considered for funding. The duration of each grant is two years, and the grant period will begin October 1, 2023.