Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson announced that Congressman Joe Donnelly of Indiana has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research. Congressman Donnelly represents Indiana's Second District. Congressman Donnelly's appointment was approved unanimously by the Democratic members of the committee. "The... Read more »
Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, held a hearing to review the economic impacts of organic production, processing, and marketing of organic agricultural products. Organic food is currently a $14 billion industry, accounting for about 2 percent of total retail food sales in the United States. That n... Read more »
Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, held a hearing to investigate colony collapse disorder in honey bee colonies across the United States. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is characterized by the sudden die-off of honey bee colonies. The cause of CCD has not been determined, and the Subcommittee heard ... Read more »
Today the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing to review proposals to amend the commodity provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill. Congressman Bob Etheridge of North Carolina is Chairman of the Subcommittee. "Today we heard in detail from major commodity groups about what their members would like to see in the next Farm Bill and what they think of ... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research held a hearing to examine the financing structure of renewable energy sources. Congressman Tim Holden of Pennsylvania is Chairman of the Subcommittee. "Farmers and ranchers now have access to credit from several sectors, and we must ensure that the future credit needs of rural America will still be met in a chan... Read more »
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a supplemental appropriations bill that included $3.7 billion for agriculture disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers who experienced losses in 2005-2007. "This disaster package will finally provide some relief to farmers and ranchers who have been waiting for Congress to act for more than a year," said Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peter... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to review the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development programs for the coming fiscal year and proposals for the 2007 Farm Bill. Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina is Chairman of the subcommittee. "Eighty-five percent of the counties in my home state o... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing to review the impact of the federal Food Stamp program on Children’s Health. Congressman Joe Baca of California is chairman of the subcommittee. "I am concerned about the obesity epidemic in America, especially among children. This is a serious health risk for them and ... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry held a hearing to review the impact of feed costs on the livestock industry. Congressman Leonard Boswell of Iowa is chairman of the subcommittee. "Because feed costs have risen dramatically over the past year, it's extremely important to gather information and hear from the experts on what we might expect in the future," sai... Read more »
