Farmers risk loss of federal payments, loans, from shutdown
The end of 2018 seemed to signal good things to come for America’s farmers. Fresh off the passage of the farm bill, which reauthorized agriculture, conservation and safety net programs, the Agriculture Department last week announced a second round of direct payments to growers hardest hit by President Donald Trump’s trade war with China.
USDA moves to tighten restrictions on food stamps
The Trump administration is setting out to do what this year’s farm bill didn’t: tighten work requirements for millions of Americans who receive federal food assistance.
Congress approves $400 billion for farmers, forests, poor
After months of debate and negotiation, Congress voted final approval Wednesday to a massive farm bill that will provide more than $400 billion for agriculture subsidies, conservation programs and food aid.
Conservative revolt over immigration sinks House farm bill
House Republican leaders suffered an embarrassing setback Friday when conservatives scuttled an ambitious farm bill, part of a high-stakes power play as they once again exert their oversized sway in the House.
U.S. olive oil pushing government to test imported oils
WASHINGTON — It’s a pressing matter for the tiny U.S. olive oil industry: American shoppers more often are going for European imports, which are cheaper
Obama signs farm bill that trims food stamps
President Barack Obama on Friday signed into law an agriculture spending bill that will spread benefits to farmers in every region of the country, while trimming the food stamp program that inspired a two-year battle over the legislation.
Farm bill doesn’t just benefit farmers
It isn’t just farmers who will benefit from the sweeping farm bill that Congress has sent President Barack Obama. There’s also help for rural towns, grocery stores in low-income areas and, most notably, the nation’s 47 million food stamp recipients.
Farm bill plows under direct payments
Farm subsidies that have guided agriculture through record profits in recent years are going away in the five-year farm bill that could become law in the coming week. But new subsidies in the legislation could be just as generous, and farmers aren’t complaining.
Farm bill passes House after years of disagreement
After years of setbacks, a nearly $100 billion-a-year compromise farm bill cleared the House on Wednesday despite strong opposition from conservatives who sought a bigger cut in food stamps.
Milk prices could rise if farm bill looms
A New Year’s deadline that could send the price of milk skyward looms over congressional negotiators as they try to reach agreement on a five-year farm bill. They’ve been tripped up by differences over the nation’s food stamp program and how to restructure farm subsidies.
Congress eyes milk prices in farm talks
WASHINGTON — The fight over renewing the nation’s farm bill has centered on cuts to the $80 billion-a-year food stamp program. But there could be
House votes to cut $4B a year from food stamps
WASHINGTON — The House has voted to cut nearly $4 billion a year from food stamps, a 5 percent reduction to the nation’s main feeding
Time to take a bite out of food stamps?
Food stamps look ripe for the picking, politically speaking.
Republicans to tackle cuts in food stamp program
WASHINGTON — House approval of a scaled-back farm bill is setting up what could be an even bigger fight over food stamps and the role
Urban-rural alliance crumbles on farm bill vote
DES MOINES, Iowa — For decades, country and city interests had come together every few years to pass the farm bill, a measure that provided
House will vote on cuts to crop insurance
WASHINGTON — The House will vote Thursday on whether to cut federally-subsidized crop insurance that helps farmers when they lose crops or revenue. The amendment
Senate passes farm bill, moving debate to House
WASHINGTON — The last time Congress passed a farm bill, Democrats had control of the House and the food stamp program was about half the
House panel OKs farm bill with food stamp cuts
WASHINGTON — The House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday approved a sweeping farm bill that would trim the $80 billion-a-year food stamp program. The panel rebuffed
Senate panel approves massive farm bill
Sen. Thad Cochran gets concessions for Southern rice and peanut farmers.
Farm bill extension evidence of lost clout
A patchwork extension of federal farm programs passed as part of a larger “fiscal cliff” bill keeps the price of milk from rising but doesn’t include many of the goodies that farm-state lawmakers are used to getting for their rural districts.