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A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture NASDA TESTIFIES ON STATE FOOD & AG SECURITY NEEDS HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE PASSES FARM BILL SENATORS INTRODUCE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE BILL 2008 AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS BILL APPROVED BY FULL COMMITTEE State News--CARBON SEQUESTRATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO MEET State News--GOVERNOR AND CABINET HONOR AMERICA'S COWBOYS Job Opportunity--CHIEF ENGINEER / DIRECTOR OF WATER RESOURCES _________________________________________________________Past Issues What's New on the NASDA Website
NASDA's 2007 Farm Bill Recommendations NASDA's Midyear Meeting Documents NASDA's Trade Shows: USFES; AFF; IFE
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_____________________________________________________________________ NASDA 2007 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN September 21-26, 2007 Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle http://www.nasda.org/nasda2007/ The early registration discount ends August 24. After that date, the registration fee will increase by $100.00. Registration ends Sept. 14. All registrations must be made online. When registering, choose offline payment if you wish to pay by check. You can update any information by using the confirmation number emailed to you when you register. Reserve Your Room by August 24 for Hotel Discount: The negotiated rate for a room at the Westin is $195.00 a night. Contact the Westin Hotel, 1900 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101, (800) 228-3000. Reservation requests received after 5:00 pm local time at hotel on the cutoff date will be accepted at the hotel's prevailing rate based on availability--group rate name is "NASDA Annual 2007 Meeting." You can also make your reservations using the link on the NASDA website. There will not be any shuttle service to/from the airport neither by the Westin nor by Washington State staff. More information available at http://www.nasda.org/nasda2007/. WSDA Contact: Betty Mackey, bmackey@agr.wa.gov, 360-507-2462 NASDA Contact: Gillian Woodward, gillian@nasda.org, 202-296-9680 _____________________________________________________________________ NASDA TESTIFIES ON STATE FOOD & AG SECURITY NEEDS NASDA testified at a House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on July 24 to discuss the safety and protection of the United States' food and agriculture system. Dr. Lee Myers, state veterinarian and assistant commissioner of animal industry for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, represented NASDA at the hearing. Myers outlined the critical role the state departments of agriculture play in defending agriculture and food, and described state efforts and challenges to build capacity to combat food and agriculture emergencies. She noted that 80 percent of all food inspections nationwide are conducted by state and local authorities. Myers said there is an urgent need for Congress to provide consistent and sustained funding to state agriculture authorities to develop agricultural security programs within every state. She also recommended that federal departments work with states to expedite the development and implementation of tools to identify critical infrastructure and key resources, and conduct vulnerability assessments. Specifically, she called for additional resources to help states develop and implement their food emergency plans and similar tools for the plant and animal sector. Finally, Myers' testimony emphasized the need for an operational, comprehensive, and secure communications network to share threat alerts and other information linking local, state, federal, and private partners, with appropriate security clearances. Copies of Myers' written and oral statement for the hearing have been posted on the NASDA website under the "Food Safety" briefing room. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE PASSES FARM BILL The House Agriculture Committee passed a new farm bill last week that makes historic investments in conservation, nutrition and renewable energy while maintaining a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers. Additionally, for the first time, the 2007 farm bill provides substantial funding for the fruit and vegetable industry. "This farm bill provides strong programs that will help American agriculture meet the 21st Century needs of the United States and the world with a safe, stable food supply, nutrition assistance, environmental benefits, and renewable energy products," Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) said. "It is a tradition for this committee to produce a bipartisan farm bill and I am pleased that we upheld a tradition that enables us to truly serve the best interests of American agriculture and all who enjoy the benefits of a safe, reliable and affordable food and fiber supply. I look forward to continuing to work with the Chairman in a bipartisan fashion as we move ahead with this farm bill," said Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.). Important highlights of the farm bill (H.R. 2419) include: * Investing more than $1.6 billion in priorities to strengthen and support the fruit and vegetable industry in the United States. A new section for Horticulture and Organic Agriculture includes nutrition, research, pest management and trade promotion programs. This includes a total of $365 million for the specialty crops block grant program from fiscal year 2008 through fiscal year 2012. * Providing farmers participating in commodity programs with a choice between traditional price protection and new market-oriented revenue coverage payments. * Strengthening payment limits to ensure that people making more than $1 million a year (adjusted gross income) cannot collect conservation and farm program payments and closing loopholes that allow people to avoid payment limits by receiving money through multiple business units. * Rebalancing loan rates and target prices among commodities, achieving greater regional equity. * Cutting federal payment rates to crop insurance companies that are making record profits due to higher crop prices. * Extending and making significant new investments in popular conservation programs including the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, and many others. * Expanding the USDA Snack Program, which helps schools provide healthy snacks to students during after-school activities to all 50 states and continuing the DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides a variety of fresh produce to schools. * Establishing a new National Agriculture Research Program Office to coordinate the programs and activities of USDA's research agencies to minimize duplication and maximize coordination at all levels and creates a competitive grants program. * Making important new investments in renewable energy research, development and production in rural America. The committee also approved language that will finally allow full implementation of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for meat in the farm bill. It includes three categories of labeling, one that indicates product was born, raised and slaughtered in the United States; one that indicates that product was not exclusively born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S.; and one that includes products entirely from other countries. For ground meat, products can be labeled with a list of countries where product may have originated. During the committee's business meeting held July 17 to 19, the House Agriculture Committee considered H.R. 2419 and an "en bloc" amendment that included additional important programs that the committee wants to include in the farm bill but that require additional funding. Copies of the bill considered by the committee and the amendments that were adopted are available at: http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/2007FarmBill.html. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the farm bill later this week. (Jennifer Yezak and Charlie Ingram) SENATORS INTRODUCE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE BILL Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced legislation July 17 that sets out a national strategy to prepare for, detect, respond to, and recover from an agro-terror attack or catastrophic food emergency. The National Agriculture and Food Defense Act includes several provisions to build state and local capabilities to protect critical agricultural and food infrastructure. Specifically, the bill requires federal departments to develop a coordinated strategy for agriculture and food emergency preparedness, response and recovery. It authorizes $2 million in funding for training and educating state personnel on food defense, and to help states develop food emergency response plans. NASDA has made similar recommendations and announced the availability of a model food emergency plan template in February 2006. The food template was developed through a cooperative agreement between NASDA, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USDA, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The legislation also seeks to improve communication and coordination between state and federal partners by authorizing the hiring of state agriculture and food defense liaison officers. To speed up detection of animal disease outbreaks and food-related emergencies, the bill integrates nationwide diagnostic laboratory networks and develops on-site rapid diagnostic tools. A copy of the unnumbered bill has been posted on the NASDA website. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) 2008 AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS BILL APPROVED BY FULL COMMITTEE Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2008 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill. This bill reinvests in rural America, protects public health, improves nutrition for more Americans, supports energy program, supports conservation, invests in research, and strengthens oversight. A summary of the bill is located at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/AgSummaryFC.pdf. The committee mark provides $18.817 billion for the various discretionary programs. The president's request was $17.830 billion and in the fiscal year the bill totaled $17.812 billion. Among the highlights are: * Reinvesting in Rural America: Provides $500 million for rural water and waste disposal grants and $1 billion for water and waste direct loans, a 14 percent increase over 2007. * Protecting Public Health: Prevents cuts to the Food and Drug Administration's field operations and provides additional funding for key activities including processing generic drug applications, drug safety reviews and monitoring prescription drug advertisements. The bill also tackles food safety, fully funding the Food Safety and Inspection Service at USDA, shifting funds to fill vacancies in federal meat inspector positions and investing in research, and funds a transformation of FDA food safety regulations. * Improving Nutrition: Provides nutrition to our country's most vulnerable populations by investing in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), and supports programs to teach children better eating habits. * Transforming Our Energy Future: Nearly doubles funding for renewable energy loans and grants to businesses to grow our economy, create new jobs, lower energy prices, and reduce global warming. * Supporting Conservation: Restores many of the programs the President would have eliminated. The bill also addresses several policy items, including: * Animal Identification: Does not provide new funding for the program because USDA cannot justify money already appropriated. The committee has determined that "drastic action" is required as this program is far too important to be allowed to continue to flounder. The agency is directed by the committee to develop a detailed plan with measurable goals. * Imported Poultry Products from China: Prohibits USDA from establishing or implementing a rule allowing poultry products from China into the U.S. * Country of Origin Labeling: Sets a time line for USDA to implement country of origin labeling. * The Senate Appropriations Committee also approved its 2008 agriculture appropriations bill which included $18.7 billion in discretionary funding with increases in food safety and food aid programs. In addition, the Senate committee-approved bill has funding increases for the USDA's Research, Education, and Economics mission by $78 million, and it provides an increase of $66 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to fight large-scale diseases. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak) STATE NEWS CARBON SEQUESTRATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO MEET The Wyoming Carbon Sequestration Advisory Committee (CSAC) will hold a public meeting July 30 in Casper, Wyoming. Beginning at 10 a.m. the CSAC will meet with Mike Walsh of the Chicago Climate Exchange to discuss rangeland climate criteria and ask questions about a new program that would allow Wyoming citizens to earn credits by sequestering carbon in their land. That afternoon, there will be a public presentation at 1:30 p.m. This session is designed for producers, agriculture industry representatives and others interested in carbon sequestration. It will include an overview of the Chicago Climate Exchange as well as information about carbon offset trading and the rangeland carbon sequestration protocol. The meeting is expected to adjourn around 3:30 p.m. The Carbon Sequestration Advisory Committee was established by the Wyoming State Legislature to explore the feasibility and opportunities for agriculture and other natural resource entities to benefit operationally as well as monetarily from the sequestering, or storing, of carbon. More information about carbon sequestration can be obtained by visiting the CSAC website at http://www.wyomingcarbon.org. (Contact: Lyndsay Griffin, 307/777-7321) GOVERNOR AND CABINET HONOR AMERICA'S COWBOYS Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet are honoring the state's historic cattle industry by adopting a resolution declaring July 28 as "National Day of the American Cowboy." The resolution, which was unanimously approved, was introduced by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, a fifth-generation Floridian whose family has been in the cattle and farming business since the 1630s. Florida is the oldest cattle-raising state in the nation, tracing its long heritage to 1521, when Ponce de Leon introduced cattle and horses to Florida. Today, cattle remains a huge industry in Florida, as roughly one million calves are born each year in the state. The resolution honors the "pioneering men and women, known as cowboys, who have contributed to Florida's growth and stewardship of natural resources." It states that "the cowboy spirit continues to infuse the state with its solid character, sound family values and good common sense." "The cowboy is an American icon whose recognition acknowledges America's ongoing commitment to an esteemed and enduring code of conduct," the resolution says. Bronson will deliver a copy of the resolution to the Okeechobee Cattlemen's Association, an organization that will be holding a celebration in honor of the designation in downtown Okeechobee on July 28. (Contact: Terence McElroy, 850/488-3022) STATE NEWS JOB TITLE: CHIEF ENGINEER / DIRECTOR OF WATER RESOURCES Location: Topeka, Kansas Req. No: 156782 Agency Name: Kansas Dept of Agriculture Applications accepted through: Open until filled This is a senior level classified position responsible for the development of water policy, interstate compact management, and management of the division of water resources. This position develops laws, regulations and policies pertaining to the overall management of water resources within the state of Kansas. Incumbent exercises individually assigned statutory jurisdiction to fulfill legislative mandates regarding administration and enforcement of Kansas Water Laws. The position will hold public and administrative hearings, issue orders and findings relative to complex water issues, and appropriate water rights. There is considerable travel to appear before public groups and represent the state on various committees and river compacts. Position calls for excellent written and verbal skills. The ability to multi-task and manage a multi-faceted program is necessary. Position will remain open until filled. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Licensed as a professional engineer by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions. Seven years of experience in water resources engineering or management, hydrology, and water law administration, including three years of supervisory experience. To apply for this position online go to: http://jobs.ks.gov and complete the Employment Summary Application or mail application to: KS Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office, 109 SW 9th St., Topeka, KS 66612. Find out more about us at our website: http://www.ksda.gov |