House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota announced a full Committee meeting to consider organizational business for the 116th Congress. WHAT: House Agriculture Committee Organizational Meeting WHEN: 11:00 a.m. EST, Thursday, February 7, 2019 WHERE: 1300 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 During the meeting, the Committee will vote on… Read more »

House Agriculture Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations Subcommittee Chair Marcia L. Fudge of Ohio in a letter Friday urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to extend the comment period on USDA’s proposal to further restrict the eligibility of able-bodied adults without dependents to receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“I look forward to working with each of these talented Subcommittee Chairs,” said Peterson. “They bring a range of experiences and strengths to their work, and each is focused on how the work of their Subcommittee can further our efforts to bring practical solutions to the people we serve.”

 “This is a strong roster for the Ag Committee and I’m looking forward to tackling the challenges that our farmers and ranchers, rural communities and working families face,” said Peterson. “We have a good cross-section of the diversity of crops grown in this country and the regions that grow them, as well as great representation of the variety of issues of jurisdiction on the Committee.”

 “Farm Bureau has a long history of advocacy for American farmers, ranchers and rural communities, and should be proud of the work they’ve done on their behalf,” said Peterson. “AFBF understands the challenge farmers face in producing more, using less, and communicating successfully with consumers, and I wish them success in the years to come.”

“Our job will be to work together with Republicans to provide responsible oversight of the administration, and pragmatic solutions for all points in the farm and food supply chain. I look forward to the challenge and I’m excited to get to work.”

"The law contains programs that will help provide much-needed certainty to producers. The law now provides expanded, affordable risk management options for dairy farmers, as well as permanent, mandatory funding for priorities like the Local Food & Farmers Market Promotion Program, Value-Added Producer Grants, the BFRDP Program, Organic Research, and the Section 2501 Outreach Program."

“During a time when rural America is facing a downturn in the farm economy and a trade war that’s taking its toll on crop, livestock and dairy producers from coast to coast, this bill will provide needed certainty to farmers and ranchers." 

I am proud of the improvement it makes for our dairy farmers. The bill will provide expanded, affordable coverage options and more flexibility for dairy farmers. It also provides permanent mandatory funding for several of the programs that first got mandatory funding in the 2008 farm bill, when I was chairman.  These include the Local Food & Farmers Market Promotion Program, Value-Added Producer Grants, the BFRDP Program, Organic Research, and the Section 2501 Outreach Program. I encourage President Trump to sign the farm bill into law quickly.

Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., today released the text of the bipartisan, bicameral 2018 Farm Bill conference report.