This morning the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision deciding which federal court has jurisdiction to hear legal challenges to the 2015 WOTUS rule.

Ellen Steen, General Counsel of the American Farm Bureau Federation reacts:

“The U.S. Supreme Court ruled correctly today that federal district courts—not federal courts of appeals—have jurisdiction to review the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. This Supreme Court decision brings greater clarity to an important issue that has bogged down the litigation over this and other Clean Water Act regulations for years. That is a positive result, but it also creates uncertainty and confusion in the short term, because the Sixth Circuit must soon lift its nationwide stay of the 2015 rule.

“At this time, the Environmental Protection Agency has not yet finalized its proposed rule to delay the application of the unlawful and dangerous 2015 WOTUS rule while the agency considers whether to permanently repeal that rule. AFBF is considering its options to avoid application of the 2015 rule while EPA moves forward with an appropriate long-term solution that provides clear rules and clean water without requiring a federal permit to plow a field.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today outlined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) services available in the event of a government shutdown.

“USDA is committed to safeguarding life and property through the critical services we provide – and should the government shut down, we will continue to do just that,” said Secretary Perdue. “I am proud of each USDA employee for everything they do to benefit the farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers who depend on our services. It is their mission each day to fulfill our USDA motto, ‘Do right and feed everyone.’”

While you may click HERE to view USDA’s lapse in funding plans, background information on USDA services available in the event of a government shutdown are below:

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The Food Safety Modernization Act will go in effect Jan. 26. Considered the most sweeping update of U.S. food safety laws in more than 70 years, it will affect the nation’s largest-scale produce growers, including some in Virginia.

The act’s Produce Safety Rule establishes mandatory science-based, minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. These standards were designed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the Crop Production 2017 Summary today, highlighting record high yields for soybeans and peanuts.

“The 2017 final crop yields and production were mixed when compared to 2016 crops,” said Herman Ellison, Virginia state statistician. “The highest yields on record for soybeans and peanuts were the highlight, while corn did not meet farmer’s expectations.”

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Governor-Elect Ralph Northam has appointed Rob Farrell as State Forester.

Farrell is a graduate of Virginia Tech and has worked for VDOF for 18 years, starting out as an area forester, then holding the position of assistant director of forestland conservation before taking on the role of Deputy State Forester in 2012.

Congratulations, Rob!

Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced the fiscal year 2018 farmland preservation grant recipients. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) Office of Farmland Preservation has awarded a total of $308,076 to five localities. Localities must use the grants to permanently preserve working farmland within their boundaries through local Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) programs. PDR programs compensate landowners who work with localities to permanently preserve their land by voluntarily securing a perpetual conservation easement.

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VFBF President Wayne Pryor

Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention today unanimously re-elected AFBF President Zippy Duvall to another two-year term. Virginia Farm Bureau President Wayne Pryor was also re-elected to a two-year terms to represent his region on the AFBF board of directors.

Delegates also approved measures to help assure a prosperous agricultural and rural economy in the coming year and beyond.

Resolutions approved by farmer and rancher delegates from across the nation ran the gamut of issues, from trade to regulatory reform, crop insurance, biotechnology and more.

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President Donald Trump today unveiled a major initiative designed to strengthen a rural economy that has lagged urban areas in recovery from the Great Recession of 2007-2008. Trump signed two executive orders that fund and streamline the expansion of rural broadband access after an address to 7,400 farmers and ranchers gathered at American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention.

In addition to economic development, Trump touched on issues of particular importance to agriculturists such as regulations, labor and trade. He praised farmers for their enduring values. “We are witnessing a new era of patriotism, prosperity and pride—and at the forefront of this exciting new chapter is the great American farmer.” Farmers, Trump said, “embody the values of hard work, grit, self-reliance and sheer determination.”

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The Agriculture Department is being reoriented with a new focus on farmers, its customers, and has already built a record of success, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said today. He made his comments at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville.

In his opening remarks, Perdue spoke about the importance of trade to U.S. agriculture and the priority of successful NAFTA negotiations.

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Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

Justin and Lori McClellan of Smyth County were the runners-up in the Achievement Award contest. They will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH. Russell and Amelia Kent of Louisiana took top honors.

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