Jerry Hagstrom, Special to Agweek
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WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump has selected former Georgia Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue for agriculture secretary, The Atlanta-Journal -Constitution has reported. The selection of Perdue will fulfill a suggestion of outgoing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who had proposed the next president choose a governor because the activities of the USDA are so broad.
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention Jan. 11 voted to maintain the group's commitment to compliance with government conservation standards as a requirement for crop insurance subsidies, and to keep the nutrition title that authorizes the food stamp program within the farm bill.
WASHINGTON — There were several signs over the weekend that it’s unlikely Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., would accept the position of Agriculture Secretary if President-elect Donald Trump offers it to her, despite a Politico report Dec. 10 that Heitkamp is Trump’s first choice for the job. Former North Dakota Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan told Agweek on Dec. 11 that Heitkamp will run for re-election in 2018, and it is predicted she will win.
WASHINGTON - Congress appears likely to finalize a bill that would fund the government through April, and also includes provisions to provide money for U.S. Department of Agriculture farm operating loans.
LOS ANGELES — Steve Krikava was known for many years as the director of government relations for Minnesota-based Land O'Lakes, one of the biggest dairy cooperatives in the country. But when he retired in 2013, Krikava, who had been an active member of the Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka, Minn., joined the board of MAZON, the Los Angeles-based organization that subtitles itself "A Jewish Response to Hunger."
WASHINGTON — American agriculture is likely to get a lot of what it wants out of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, but not the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement or more farm workers.
PHILADELPHIA — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the prospect of Donald Trump as president is so troubling, he will work with Hillary Clinton and “will be happy to do whatever the campaign wants me to do,” including the dishes and laundry.
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives on July 14 passed the bill setting up a federal system of labeling genetically modified foods, setting the stage for the bill to go to President Barack Obama, who has already said he will sign it.
WASHINGTON—Stella Halverson, the 8-year old North Dakota girl whose recipe won the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and a trip to White House for the July 14 kids’ state dinner had a special reason for the ingredients in her dish: she is the descendant of potato growers and plans to be a potato grower.
Leaders of the Coalition for Safe, Affordable Food on Thursday called yet again for the Senate to come up with a bill to preempt the Vermont law requiring labeling of genetically modified foods from taking effect. On a call to reporters, Chuck Conner of the National Council of Farmer Co-operatives said that it is not too late for the Senate to come up with a proposal that would garner the 60 votes to end debate and pass, and for that legislation to be approved by the House before Congress leaves next Friday for the July 4 recess.