Every four years, the American Farm Bureau Federation asks the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to address the issues that concern farmers and ranchers the most. We asked Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump the same questions.
Do you know the background of the Endangered Species Act or ESA? If you live in the western United States you most likely grew-up understanding the impacts of the ESA. If you live east of the Mississippi River, the ESA is likely coming your way.
Originally enacted in 1973, Congress envisioned a law which would protect species believed to be on the brink of extinction. When the law was enacted, there were 109 species listed for protection. Today, there are nearly 1,600 domestic species on the list, with 125 species considered as “candidates” for listing.
From American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall:
Farm Bureau is urging Congress to pass legislation blocking a recent IRS proposal that would result in higher estate taxes for farmers and ranchers. The IRS’ plan for more restrictive rules for using valuation discounts would make it more difficult for farmers and ranchers who operate family-owned partnerships, LLCs or corporations to transfer their farms and ranches to the next generation.
International trade was a major theme in the opening half hour of Monday night’s presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Selling more of our goods around the world is a great way to help farms and ranches, benefit rural communities, and keep the United States ahead of its global competitors. Farm Bureau seeks the successful conclusion and congressional approval of trade agreements and other measures to expand global markets for U.S. agricultural exports.
For farmers and ranchers, immigration reform must balance agriculture’s need for a dependable supply of agricultural labor with enhanced security at our nation’s border. It is a delicate balance that, at present, has not yielded a solution.
Dr. Megan Seibel, President of Roanoke County Farm Bureau, has been appointed to the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Prior to her appointment, Megan served as the Director of the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) Program at Virginia Tech. She also served as the Associate Director for the Center of Cooperative Problem Solving at Virginia Tech and an Associate Fellow of the Occupational Research Centre in the United Kingdom. An agricultural producer, Megan and her family manage a wine grape and beef cattle operation in Botetourt County. Megan graduated from James Madison University with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, and received her Master’s in Career and Technical Education and her Doctor’s of Philosophy in Agriculture and Extension Education from Virginia Tech.
The combined shortfall fiscal year 2017 is $861.4 million. Some of the key strategies to address the shortfall include eliminating raises for state employees of $125.1 million; pulling $392.3 million from Rainy Day Fund; and cutting $70 million from state agencies. There will be additional cuts made by the Governor in his budget that he will introduce in December for the fiscal year 2018.
Are you familiar with the Farm Bill? If you are like most Americans, you probably have a misconception about this important piece of legislation. While the bill is the primary agriculture and food policy tool of the federal government, the name is a misnomer. The Farm Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation that encompasses commodity programs, crop insurance, nutrition programs, international trade, conservation, , forestry, energy and the well-being of rural communities. It might actually be more accurate to call it the Food Bill since 79 percent of the cost of the bill goes toward nutrition programs and only 21 percent goes towards programs that benefit farmers, ranchers and rural America.
