NAWG CEO Attends and Speaks During CLA’s Government Policy Weekend
From September 20-23rd, NAWG CEO Chandler Goule will attend CropLife America’s Government Policy Weekend in Amelia Island, Florida. During the meeting, Goule will sit on a two-hour “CEO panel” with Zippy Duvall, CEO for the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Tim Lust, CEO for the National Sorghum Producers. Goule will focus his remarks on NAWG’s priorities for 2019 and the importance of working cohesively with fellow ag and commodity groups.
NAWG Provides Farm Bill Conference Update to NDGGA Board
On September 18, 2018, NAWG VP of Policy and Communications provided an overview of the current Farm Bill conference process as well as what to expect in the coming weeks to the North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) Board. Email Josh Tonsager if interested in having NAWG do a similar presentation for your board.
President Trump Slaps on Another $200 Billion in Tariffs to the Chinese:
On September 17th, President Trump announced that the U.S. would impose tariffs on $200 billion worth of goods and was prepared to tax all imports. China has retaliated on $60 billion worth of US goods. U.S. wheat already has a 25% tariff placed on them. In his release, President Trump stated that the U.S. will “immediately place tariffs on another $267 billion worth of imports if China takes retaliatory action against our farmers or other industries.” A large amount of the recent tariffs were directed at food products and consumer goods. The rate on these tariffs will sit at 10 percent until late December, when they will rise to 25 percent if no trade deal is reached. Read the release here.
Congressional Action on Appropriations
The Senate has voted to approve a minibus appropriations bill funding the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, along with a continuing resolution funding other agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, at FY 2018 levels through December 7, 2018. The House has not yet voted on the minibus. Additionally, there is still a possibility that Congress could act next week on a separate minibus providing funding for USDA for the entire FY 2019 fiscal year.
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Gives $103 Million in Grants to States
On September 18, 2018, Under Secretary Greg Ibach announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $102.7 million to increase opportunities for farmers, ranchers and other growers across the country through five grant programs. The funding supports a variety of locally-led projects intended to expand markets for local food promotion and specialty crops. $72.5 million will be given directly to state ag department in all states, and territories and just over $13 million will be awarded to both the Farmers Market Production and Food Promotion programs. The remaining funds will be given to the Acer Access and Development and Federal State Marketing Improvement programs.
Jon Doggett Announced as New CEO for the National Corn Growers Association:
On September 14, 2018, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board named Jon Doggett as the organization’s new chief executive officer. Doggett had previously worked for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, American Farm Bureau, and for Corn Growers as executive vice president, vice president of public policy, and interim CEO. Doggett is replacing the current CEO of CropLife America, Chris Novack. Read the release here.
Corn Refiners Association (CRA) Unveils New Logo and Look
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has officially unveiled its new logo and look. The new logo is meant to showcase the extensive role that refined corn has in the American day-to-day life. The new logo has several different components that each have significant meaning about diverse uses of corn. A few corn products mentioned include edible products, animal feed, sweeteners and wall and flooring materials.
Source: National Association of Wheat Growers