Greetings!

 

Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Emerging Markets Program : Purpose. The EMP assists U.S. entities in developing, maintaining, or expanding exports of U.S. agricultural commodities and products by funding activities that enhance emerging markets' food and rural business systems, including reducing trade barriers. The EMP is intended primarily to support export market development efforts of the private sector, but EMP resources may also be used to assist public organizations.

 

Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program : Purpose: The TASC program is designed to assist U.S. organizations by providing funding for projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. U.S. specialty crops, for the purpose of the TASC program, are defined to include all cultivated plants, or the products thereof, produced in the United States except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, and tobacco.

 

Agency Information Collection: Proposed Collection; Comments Request Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices: Abstract: This study seeks to understand the business practices of TPPs and ISOs that provide EBT processing services and equipment to SNAP retailers to (1) assess retailers' satisfaction with EBT products and services needed to participate in the SNAP program; and (2) develop a set of best practices to inform FNS's guidance for retailers on what to consider when selecting, contracting with, and working with EBT vendors (TPPs and ISOs). The study results will also provide FNS with the information needed to inform future FNS policies regarding requirements for vendors providing EBT equipment and services to authorized retailers and TPP services-related guidance for retailers. The study relies on two data sources: (1) A survey of SNAP retailers regarding their business relations with EBT vendors as well as satisfaction with the equipment and services acquired, and (2) interviews with TPPs and ISOs about their business practices with SNAP retailers, products and services, including costs and recommendations for retailers seeking to acquire EBT products and services.

 

 

 

Proposed Ag Budget Fails Farmers, Ranchers, Farm Bureau President Says

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

"The American Farm Bureau Federation and its members are concerned about the federal budget deficit. However, we also know that agriculture has done its fair share to help reduce the deficit. Going back to the early 1980s, agriculture often has been targeted to generate budget savings, from the reconciliation bills in the late 1980s and 1990s to farm bill reforms as recently as 2014. At the time of passage, the 2014 farm bill was estimated to contribute $23 billion to deficit reduction over 10 years. The farm bill was the only reauthorization bill that voluntarily offered savings during the 113 th Congress . It is difficult to think of another sector of the economy that has contributed so much, so consistently, over the last several decades.

 

"The administration's budget proposal fails to recognize agriculture's current financial challenges or its historical contribution to deficit reduction. It would gut federal crop insurance, one of the nation's most important farm safety-net programs. It would drastically reshape important voluntary conservation programs and negatively impact consumer confidence in critical meat and poultry inspection. This proposal would hamper the viability of plant and animal security programs at our borders and undermine the nation's grain quality and market information systems. It would stunt rural America's economic growth by eliminating important utility programs and other rural development programs.

 

"Clearly, this budget fails agriculture and rural America.

 

"Farm income is down substantially since Congress passed the last farm bill. USDA cuts of this magnitude in the current economic cycle would be unwarranted and unwise. AFBF will work with the House and Senate Agriculture, Appropriations and Budget committees to protect programs that are critical in managing risks inherent to production agriculture, and maintain programs that are vital to rural communities."

 

 

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You can find the fiscal year 18 USDA budget summary here .

 

American Farm Bureau prepared a breakdown of some of the key points in the proposed budget. This is just the first step in the process. AFBF will work closely with the House and Senate Agriculture, Budget and Appropriations Committees through the process.

 

The president's budget eliminates $228 billion over 10 years from the farm bill, which includes a total of $38 billion from farm bill programs and $190 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Foreign Agricultural Service: The budget eliminates several USDA programs that focus on expanding market access for U.S. agriculture.

Conservation Programs:

Farm Agricultural Service:

Rural Development:

Agriculture Research:

Marketing and Regulatory Programs:

Catfish Inspection: Returns all inspections back to FDA.

 

Nutrition Programs:

Staffing:

Proposed User Fees:

 

AFBF response :

Events

Every Wednesday @ 7:30am: Ag Matters on Radio Free Palmer, 89.7 FM

 

July 22-23: Fiber Festival being held in the big barn at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer. There will be judging on sheep, goats, rabbits and raw fleeces! If you're interested in participating or being a vendor email [email protected] 

 

August 4-13: Tanana Valley Fair

 

August 18-20 : Kenai Peninsula Fair

 

August 24-September 4 : Alaska State Fair

 

Member Benefits