The House Agriculture Committee released its first version of the farm bill on April 11. Unfortunately, the proposal included steep cuts to conservation, ignored the need for capping crop insurance premium subsidies, and made very distressing cuts to many programs that support innovation and investment in rural communities.
This is the opening round of this year’s farm bill debate. We’re reporting on this troubling bill so you understand the stakes of the fight ahead. We outline several unfortunate proposals here.
TRANSMISSION
Transmission line development: the benefits, effects, and how to prepare yourself
Three development projects in Kansas, Wisconsin, and Minnesota show how states manage revenues and tax assessments from transmission lines in different ways.
Center for Rural Affairs policy associates Katie Rock and Lu Nelsen recently discussed these examples on the Rural Matters podcast. They also gave tips on how to best communicate with developers, as well as advice for community members on how they can educate themselves about development projects. Continue reading.
AGRICULTURE
USDA ignored public support of organic livestock and poultry practices rule
Many of the policies we support – organic agriculture, Value-Added Producer Grants, rural microloans – we chose to fight for because they make space for farmers and ranchers to access new or alternative income streams.
We are concerned that some of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent actions directly undermine this vision, by the removal of several rules. Find out more.
STAFF IN THE NEWS
Depew named local economy fellow
Brian Depew, executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs, has been named to the 2018 cohort of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) Local Economy Fellowship.
Depew joins 25 representatives of rural communities and businesses across 16 states and three Canadian provinces, in the two-year program designed for leaders who are advancing the development of healthy, equitable local economies. Read on.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Erin’s journey brought her from the Sunshine State to small-town living
Many Nebraskans long for a break from the harsh, Plains winters, and travel to warm, sunny climates to find it. Erin Mockler, however, did the opposite.
“I grew up in a small town in Florida,” said Mockler. “My entire childhood, I had a desire to move to a climate with more seasonal changes, so when I became an adult, I moved to Nebraska.” Meet Erin, staff accountant.
WORK WITH US
Do you love rural living and working nationally for rural Americans? Join our team!
We celebrate our rural culture while working on national issues that impact all rural citizens. Join a team that lives our mission, enjoys strong coffee, and brings our dogs to work on Fridays.
Current openings: REAP Small Business Program Manager, Community Organizer, Policy & Advocacy Organizing Intern, Community Food Marketing Specialist, and Community Organizers (part-time contractors) in Hastings and Nebraska City.
