Agriculture

Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2023 This bill expands the authority of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide technical assistance for farmer-to-farmer networks. A farmer-to-farmer network means any affiliation or association of farmers that share information, technical assistance, or any other type of mutually beneficial support.  Under the bill, USDA may enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities to provide assistance to farmer-to-farmer networks to (1) build network capacity, connect farmers with mentors or group learning opportunities, and support goal setting; (2) increase technical assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest owners who use different farming models, practices, and scales; and (3) establish and steward the networks. Those eligible for the program include nonprofit entities, farmer-to-farmer networks, tribal entities, local governments, institutions of higher education, and states. USDA must prioritize agreements with entities that seek to meet the specific needs of certain farmers, ranchers, and forest owners who are historically underserved or operating in high-poverty areas. The bill also provides for subawards to plan and conduct events, as well as to identify and develop innovative activities, in order to increase farmer access to farmer-to-farmer assistance. USDA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service must establish any necessary additional requirements for subawards.   

Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Supporting Our Farm and Food System Workforce Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Supporting Our Farm and Food System Workforce Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Office of the Farm and Food System Workforce to improve awareness of and access to USDA programs for farm and food system workers. USDA must also establish the Farm and Food System Worker Advisory Committee. The advisory committee must include farm and food system workers, civil rights representatives, and representatives from nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and institutions of higher education.  The bill further requires USDA to establish the Farm and Food System Workforce Interagency Council to facilitate interagency, cabinet-level leadership in planning, policymaking, coordination, and program development for services available to farm and food system workers.   The advisory committee and interagency council must each submit an annual report to USDA and Congress that is publicly available on USDA's website. The annual reports must include recommendations for legislative or administrative action for the following year.  

Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act This bill expands eligibility and flexibility under the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) of the Farm Service Agency (FSA). (TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters.) The bill expands eligibility to include growers who produce biennial crops. The current program is limited to producers of annual crops.  The bill also expands eligibility to include growers who experience tree mortality that exceeds normal mortality. Currently, mortality must exceed 15%. Further, the bill exempts growers who derive at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities from a limit on adjusted gross income. (Under current law, the limit prohibits a grower with an average adjusted gross income that exceeds $900,000 from being eligible for TAP.) A grower may carry out any replacement and rehabilitation activities within 12 months of approval of the application for assistance or at such time as is necessary to ensure tree survival. Further, a grower may replant using an alternative (1) variety, (2) stand density, and (3) location than was used prior to the loss.  Finally, the FSA must approve or deny an application (and notify the applicant) within 120 days of receiving the application. 

Protecting Farmers from Drought Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Protecting Farmers from Drought Act of 2023 This bill modifies insurance coverage for prevented planting under the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) to create a special rule for counties experiencing extreme drought. (The FCIP provides coverage for prevented planting due to insured causes of loss, such as adverse weather conditions, drought, floods, and other natural events. Prevented planting is the inability to plant an insured crop by the final planting date or during the late planting period.) Under this bill, the FCIP must modify eligibility requirements for prevented planting coverage for a county that experienced extreme drought (per the U.S. Drought Monitor) at any time during the normal planting period over the course of three consecutive years. For counties experiencing an extreme drought, the bill requires the planting of a crop once in the five most recent crop years (i.e., the 1 in 5 rule).  Currently, in order to be eligible for prevented planting payments, the insured acres must have been planted, insured, and harvested at least once in the previous four crop years (i.e., the 1 in 4 rule). 

Farm Program Integrity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Ensuring Accountability for Equity at USDA Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Ensuring Accountability for Equity at USDA Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve the equitable availability and distribution of USDA services and program benefits through specific actions.  Under the bill, USDA must    include within the performance evaluations for USDA senior leadership a review of an individual's direct efforts to improve equity in USDA programs and services; issue uniform, department-wide guidance on collecting and responding to feedback and using that feedback to improve efforts to provide more equitable and consistent services; and build frontline USDA customer service staff capacity to make eligible services or benefits available to customers. USDA must also notify Congress when it has identified an opportunity to improve equity in a particular program or service, but lacks the authority to make the necessary changes. Further, the bill requires additional information to be included in USDA's annual data report (which is meant to assess and hold USDA accountable for the nondiscriminatory participation of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in USDA programs). The report must also describe trends in the data and include a discussion of efforts to implement necessary improvements to equity. In addition, USDA must use collected data to examine and assess USDA programs and policies to identify and understand communities, organizations, groups, and individuals in need of USDA services or benefits. 

REAP Modernization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

A resolution designating the week of August 6 through August 12, 2023, as "National Farmers Market Week".

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This resolution designates August 6-August 12, 2023, as National Farmers Market Week. The resolution also recognizes the vital role that farmers markets play in bringing communities together and in supporting the livelihoods of millions of people in the United States.

EQIP Water Conservation Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

CROP for Farming Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023 This bill waives the adjusted gross income limitations for payments or benefits under specific Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs for a person or legal entity that derives a portion of their income from agriculture. (Currently, a person or entity is not eligible to receive certain benefits during a crop, fiscal, or program year if their average gross income exceeds $900,000.) Specifically, in the case of an excepted payment or benefit, the adjusted gross income limitation is waived if 75% or more of the average adjusted gross income for the person or entity is derived from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities. These activities include agritourism, direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products, and the sale of agricultural equipment owned by such person or entity. The bill applies to the USDA Livestock Indemnity Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program; Tree Assistance Program; and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

AG RESEARCH Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Augmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-Edge and Helpful Act or the AG RESEARCH Act This bill provides funding for maintenance at agricultural research facilities. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must (1) revise its review process for evaluating proposals for agricultural research facilities to include consulting with representatives of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) peer review panels; and (2) establish a grant program within NIFA to provide agricultural research facilities with a federal share of the cost for the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of the research facilities or the equipment necessary for agricultural research. Additionally, the bill provides funding for the grant program and for USDA to provide direct payments to research facilities of the Agricultural Research Service for addressing deferred maintenance. USDA must give priority to the most critical structures in accordance with the Agricultural Research Service Capital Investment Strategy (April 2012).

AANAPISI Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

AANAPISI Opportunity Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a scholarship grant program for covered Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISIs) to provide scholarships in agriculture-related fields. Covered institutions include institutions of higher education that (1) have a student body consisting of at least 10% Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander students; and (2) offer associate, bachelors, or other accredited degree programs in agriculture-related fields. USDA may only award the grants to AANAPISIs that have established a competitive scholarship awards process for individuals who intend to pursue a career in agriculture, including in the agricultural disciplines of business, engineering, technology, food science, forestry, home economics, nutrition, soil conservation, non-medical biological sciences, and computer science. This bill also allows USDA to provide competitive grants for up to five years for integrated agricultural research, education, and extension projects at covered AANAPISIs to address U.S. agriculture priorities. The project grants include a 50% matching funds requirement that USDA may waive if certain requirements are met.

A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements relating to drought prevention, preparedness, response, and mitigation, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into multiyear cooperative agreements with a policy research center to conduct research and education programs that focus on drought prevention, preparedness, response, and mitigation. An eligible policy research center includes a state agricultural experiment station, college or university, or other public research institution or organization that has a history of providing objective, scientific information to federal agencies and the public to support and enhance efficient, accurate implementation of federal drought preparedness and drought response programs. A center must also conduct research and education programs that concern the effect of public policies and trade agreements on (1) the farm and agricultural sectors; (2) the environment; (3) rural families, households, and economies; and (4) consumers, food, and nutrition. In awarding agreements, USDA must give a preference to centers that have information, analysis, and research relating to drought mitigation. 

Clean Drinking Water for Rural Communities Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

GusNIP Improvement Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Agricultural Emergency Relief Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Agricultural Emergency Relief Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an Emergency Relief Program to provide payments each crop year to producers that experience a qualified loss as a result of a disaster that occurred during the crop year. (Under current law, USDA provides payments under a temporary Emergency Relief Program for losses that occurred following disasters in 2020, 2021, or 2022.) The bill defines a qualified loss as a loss incurred by a producer in a crop, trees, bushes, or vines as a consequence of a disaster (i.e., a drought, wildfire, hurricane, flood, derecho, excessive heat, excessive moisture, a winter storm, and a freeze event, including a polar vortex). Further, a qualified loss includes a loss incurred as a result of being prevented from planting a crop due to a disaster and a loss in the quality of a crop, trees, bushes, or vines due to a disaster or smoke exposure from a wildfire. As a condition of receiving a payment under this program, a producer must purchase (for the next two years) Federal Crop Insurance or, if Federal Crop Insurance is not available, coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. An eligible producer under the program is an individual or entity that is eligible to receive assistance under a Farm Service Agency administered disaster assistance program. The bill specifies that a producer does not include a joint venture or a general partnership.

Farmers’ Market and Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Farmers' Market and Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2023 This bill provides for increased support for farmers' markets. This bill reauthorizes, and extends funding for, the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program through FY2028.The bill also (1) expands eligibility for the program by increasing the income limit, (2) increases the minimum individual benefit, and (3) removes the maximum individual benefit limit. The bill extends the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program through FY2028 and increases the minimum and maximum individual benefits under the program. Further, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must make loans, loan guarantees, and grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the construction of new farmers' markets or the improvement or rehabilitation of existing farmers' markets. The bill provides funding for these loans, loan guarantees, and grants through FY2029, with certain cost-sharing requirements. Additionally, USDA must establish a pilot grant program to allow food banks to voluntarily contract with local farmers to grow produce for food bank programs as a way to promote local procurement of produce. The bill provides funding for the pilot program through FY2025.

FRIDGE Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports Act of 2023 or the FRIDGE Act of 2023 This bill expands the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program to include funding for technical assistance for infrastructure-related projects to ensure U.S. agricultural commodities are not damaged or lost due to infrastructure deficiencies in new and developing markets. This Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) program funds projects that address long-term opportunities to reduce foreign import constraints or expand export growth opportunities. Specifically, the bill directs FAS to enter into contracts or other agreements with trade organizations to enhance the infrastructure capabilities (including cold chain capacity and port improvements) in new and developing foreign markets through needs assessments, training, and other technical assistance.  

Promoting American Competition in Aquaculture Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Promoting American Competition in Aquaculture Research Act This bill amends certain limitations on the use of Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding for indirect costs for aquaculture assistance programs. The bill also reauthorizes USDA aquaculture assistance programs through FY2028, which includes research and extension programs.

Responsible Wildland Fire Recovery Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Responsible Wildland Fire Recovery Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain requirements for matching federal funds in fire recovery projects. Specifically, USDA may waive cost-sharing requirements for projects responding to fires resulting from management activities (e.g., controlled burns) conducted by USDA on National Forest System land.

Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a streamlined process for farmers and ranchers to provide benefits under certain federal nutrition programs (i.e., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program). Specifically, USDA must establish a streamlined application process for farmers and ranchers to apply to be vendors under the nutrition programs, including by developing a single application for the programs or an information sharing system. USDA must also develop a streamlined process for these vendors to use standardized technology to process program benefits (such as a single piece of equipment or a mobile application). Further, USDA must ensure that the program benefit processing equipment and systems made available by a state agency are appropriate for the entity. For example, this includes ensuring wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems are appropriate for farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets.  

SNAP Nutrition Security Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

SNAP Nutrition Security Act of 2023 This bill expands the policy of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to include reducing food insecurity, increasing nutrition security, and improving diet quality for low-income people in the United States. It also requires additional related reporting by states and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill defines (1) food security as access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life; (2) nutrition security as consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being; and (3) diet quality as the extent to which a set of foods aligns with key recommendations of the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Under current requirements, a state agency that provides nutrition education and obesity prevention services under SNAP must submit an annual report to USDA. The bill requires the report to include (1) state actions taken to enhance the food and nutrition security of SNAP participants, and (2) recommendations regarding administering SNAP in a manner that would enhance state food and nutrition security in the state. Further, USDA must submit an annual report to Congress on U.S. food security, nutrition security, and diet quality. USDA must use data collected from retail stores participating in SNAP to submit a report to Congress at least every four years on food sales in SNAP. The report must be made publicly available and include an analysis of the specific food items acquired with SNAP benefits by eligible households.

To authorize livestock producers and their employees to take crested caracaras in order to prevent the death of or injury or destruction to livestock, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

This bill allows livestock producers and their employees to take certain actions against crested caracaras to protect livestock. (Crested caracaras are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.) Specifically, livestock producers and their employees may (1) take (i.e., capture, kill, disperse, or transport) a crested caracara that they reasonably believe will cause death, injury, or destruction to livestock; or (2) in the course of taking or attempting to take the crested caracara, cause injury to the bird. Livestock producers and their employees must submit an annual report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on crested caracaras taken under this bill. The FWS must make this reporting form available on its website. Currently, the FWS has a special permit process under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the taking of crested caracaras. 

Tribal Nutrition Flexibility Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Tribal Nutrition Flexibility Act of 2023 This bill makes changes to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), including by allowing the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain program requirements. Specifically, the bill requires commodities provided through FDPIR to be products of the United States. However, upon the request of a tribal organization or state agency, USDA may temporarily waive this requirement in the case of a disaster, emergency, or severe supply chain disruption. Additionally, the bill specifies that any traditional or culturally appropriate food that is sourced by a tribal organization or tribal band of a recipient tribe and that is located across an international boundary line shall be considered a product of the United States. Further, the bill gives USDA the authority to distribute traditional and culturally appropriate foods on a regional basis (in addition to a national basis).  The bill also allows USDA to waive certain regulations upon the request of a tribe. USDA must establish, subject to available funding, a fund from which USDA may (1) provide funds to tribal organizations or state agencies administering FDPIR for the purchase of traditional locally and regionally grown herbs and spices for use in nutrition education programming, or (2) purchase these herbs and spices on behalf of tribal organizations or state agencies (upon their request). The bill provides tribal organizations with broad discretion in determining the format and content of nutrition education programming.

Tribal Nutrition Program Administration Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Tribal Nutrition Program Administration Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to pay 100% of the administrative and distribution costs of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

Farmland Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a streamlined process for farmers and ranchers to provide benefits under certain federal nutrition programs (i.e., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program). Specifically, USDA must establish a streamlined application process for farmers and ranchers to apply to be vendors under the nutrition programs, including by developing a single application for the programs or an information sharing system. USDA must also develop a streamlined process for these vendors to use standardized technology to process program benefits (such as a single piece of equipment or a mobile application). Further, USDA must ensure that the program benefit processing equipment and systems made available by a state agency is appropriate for the entity. For example, this includes ensuring wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems are appropriate for farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets.  

Food Secure Strikers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Mid-South Oilseed Double Cropping Study Act of 2023 This bill directs the federal crop insurance program to provide for research and development with respect to the inclusion of covered oilseed crops (i.e., rapeseed and canola crops) under double cropping policies. (Double cropping is producing two or more crops for harvest on the same acreage in the same crop year.) The research must evaluate (1) the economic and environmental benefits of incorporating the crops into the policies; and (2) the potential risks associated with incorporating the crops into the policies, specifically with respect to winter-planted covered oilseed crops, including risks to soil health, biodiversity, and the profitability of farming operations. (The term policy means an insurance policy, plan of insurance, provision of a policy or plan of insurance, and related materials.) In awarding contracts, the program may place emphasis on persons and institutions that have previous research experience with covered oilseed crops and have access to a facility with the capacity to do the research.

NURSE Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Nurses Utilizing Resources for SNAP Education Act of 2023 or the NURSE Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to (1) develop training materials for health care professionals on how to inform their patients about the availability of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; and (2) perform outreach to hospitals, universities, and nursing associations on the availability of the training materials.

Farm Board Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Farm Board Act of 2023 This bill further specifies the active producers that must be included as members on the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board of Directors. FCIC is a government corporation that administers the federal crop insurance program. Of the four active producers who must be included on the FCIC Board, the bill requires at least one specialty crop producer, one producer that actively engages in livestock production and crop production of agricultural commodities, and one underserved producer. (Current law requires that, of the four active producers on the board, at least one must be a specialty crop producer.) The bill applies to appointments made on or after the date of the bill's enactment for either (1) service beginning on or after October 1, 2024; or (2) the purpose of the October 1, 2024, FCIC Board election (or a subsequent FCIC Board election). 

Jon M. Holladay, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture, vice Jon M. Holladay.

United States · United States Senate · 25 July 2023

Food Secure Strikers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

SNAP Ban Study Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

SNAP Ban Study Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to evaluate the effects of provisions that ban individuals who are convicted of drug felonies from participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, GAO must evaluate the effects of (1) the post-incarceration ban on participation by individuals convicted of a drug felony, and (2) state waiver provisions allowing for participation by these individuals. (The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 bars convicted drug felons from participating in SNAP; however, a state may opt to serve such felons by waiving or modifying the requirement.) The GAO must submit a report to Congress on the study and make the report publicly available on the agency's website.

To amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to reauthorize the dairy business innovation initiatives.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

This bill increases the authorization of appropriations for the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives for each fiscal year. Under the Agricultural Marketing Service, the DBI Initiatives support dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products. The DBI Initiatives provide direct technical assistance and subawards to dairy businesses, including for niche dairy products and dairy products derived from cow milk, sheep milk, and goat milk.

To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize grants for eligible institutions to carry out agriculture workforce training programs, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

This bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish a grant program within its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program for eligible institutions to develop and carry out agriculture workforce training programs. Eligible institutions include U.S. land-grant universities, non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, junior or community colleges with agriculture programs, and area career and technical education schools with agriculture programs. The grants must be used to develop and carry out programs to (1) promote the growth of the agriculture industry, (2) foster competitiveness within the industry, and (3) improve the training and retention of workers in the industry. An agriculture workforce training program is a program developed by an eligible institution in collaboration with a targeted industry partner through which the industry partner provides training to enrolled students. This may include training through internships, apprenticeships, experience-based curricula, and educational programs and workshops.  The program must be implemented by January 31, 2024. 

GusNIP Expansion Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act This bill adds requirements regarding the availability of training that the Department of Agriculture provides under current law for local food service personnel in schools. The training must be scheduled primarily during regular, paid working hours; offered in-person whenever appropriate; and incorporate hands-on training techniques. If the training is scheduled outside of working hours, food service personnel must be informed about the necessity of scheduling the program and compensated for attending the program. Personnel may not be penalized for failing to attend a program outside of working hours.

Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act This bill allows the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program. The program may guarantee loans to support new investments in the start-up or expansion of projects in the United States that will increase U.S. food supply chain capacity to aggregate, process, manufacture, store, transport, wholesale, or distribute food. In awarding loan guarantees under this bill, USDA must give preference to loans for projects that create jobs in economically distressed communities or to help create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. USDA must prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this program. The bill specifies that USDA must use the amounts made available to carry out this bill to supplement, and not supplant, funds provided under other federal, state, or local law. 

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2023 This bill adds requirements regarding the availability of training that the Department of Agriculture provides under current law for local food service personnel in schools. The training must be scheduled during regular, paid working hours; provided at no cost to food service personnel; offered in-person whenever appropriate; and incorporate experiential learning. If the training is scheduled outside of working hours, food service personnel must be informed about the necessity of scheduling the program, consulted to schedule the program, and compensated for attending the program. Personnel may not be penalized for failing to attend a program outside of working hours.

Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 This bill establishes an alternative manure management program for eligible dairy and livestock producers and provides specified funds to the program for FY2024 through FY2028. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish an alternative manure management program to award producers contracts to support carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Producers must implement management measures that include adopting   pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage practices; a solid separation system (or installing a new, higher efficiency solid separation system); or scrape technologies, including vacuum technologies. USDA may provide a 100% federal cost share. Further, the bill caps the maximum payment to a person or legal entity in any five-year period at $825,000. USDA must prioritize contracts to entities that address public health concerns (e.g., air quality and water quality) associated with dairy and livestock operations located near low-income or underserved communities. Further, USDA must ensure geographical diversity when awarding contracts. USDA must also use a majority of the program's funds for small and mid-sized dairy and livestock operations, including beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The bill also includes composting practices as eligible projects under USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. Finally, USDA must review practice standards for composting facilities and soil carbon amendments (e.g., compost) and develop and implement a new conservation practice standard for the on-farm production of compost. 

Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023 This bill amends the federal crop insurance program (FCIP) to increase the premium assistance rate for beginning and veteran farmers or ranchers. Specifically, the bill amends the amount of percentage points that are added to the premium assistance rate for beginning and veteran farmers or ranchers for an applicable insurance policy or plan (currently 10 percentage points) to provide 15 percentage points in each of the 1st and 2nd reinsurance years, 13 percentage points in the 3rd year, 11 percentage points in the 4th year, and 10 percentage points in each of the 5th through the 10th reinsurance years. The bill also amends the FCIP definition of beginning farmer or rancher to include a farmer or rancher who has not actively operated and managed a farm or ranch for more than 10 crop years (currently more than 5 crop years).

FDPIR Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

FDPIR Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2023 This bill expands and makes permanent a pilot program through which the Department of Agriculture must enter into self-determination contracts with tribal organizations, upon the request of an Indian tribe, to carry out the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

A resolution recognizing the importance of the blueberry industry to the United States and designating July 2023 as "National Blueberry Month".

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

This resolution (1) designates July 2023 as National Blueberry Month; and (2) recognizes the contributions of blueberry growers in the United States and their families, and that purchasing blueberries grown in the United States supports farmers, jobs, communities, and the economy of the United States.

Revitalizing Rural Communities Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

Revitalizing Rural Communities Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes the Department of Agriculture's Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program through FY2028 to provide funding for rural projects through local utility organizations.

Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes and provides additional funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The bill also modifies the SCBGP outreach and state plan requirements. Under the block grant program, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides grants to the state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops (i.e., fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture). Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the SCBGP through FY2028. The bill also requires that SCBGP grants be made based on priorities jointly identified by specialty crop producers, producer groups, and state program administrators to achieve the program's purpose. Further, the bill requires that the plan a state must submit to USDA under the program indicate how outreach to, and consultation with, specialty crop stakeholders will be achieved. 

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON DISCUSSION DRAFT OF H.R., TO PROMOTE AND ENHANCE OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS ON FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS, "MILITARY AND VETERANS IN PARKS (MVP) ACT"; H.R. 1786, TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO SUBMIT TO CONGRESS A REPORT ON THE WARRIOR TRAINING ADVANCEMENT COURSE, TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO ADMINISTER A PILOT PROGRAM TO EMPLOY VETERANS IN POSITIONS THAT RELATE TO CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, "GET REWARDING OUTDOOR WORK FOR OUR VETERANS ACT, OR (GROW) ACT; H.R. 1829, TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TO CONVEY THE PLEASANT VALLEY RANGER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE SITE TO GILA COUNTY, ARIZONA; AND H.R. 2468, TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO CONVEY TO THE STATE OF UTAH CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OF THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF CAMP WILLIAMS, UTAH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, "MOUNTAIN VIEW CORRIDOR COMPLETION ACT"

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 July 2023

No Russian Agriculture Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

No Russian Agriculture Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to instruct U.S. representatives to international financial institutions (e.g., the International Monetary Fund) to vote and advocate for such institutions to (1) support projects that decrease reliance on Russia for agricultural commodities, (2) ensure the resilience of global grain supplies, and (3) stimulate private investment in such projects. This requirement shall be repealed at the earlier of (1) five years after this bill's enactment, or (2) 30 days after the President reports to Congress that termination of the requirement is important to U.S. national interest.