Young Farmer Success Act

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023 , including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R. 2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H. R. 2720 strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H. R. 4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR 41 27 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR 41 73 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR 4739 and S . 2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR 4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023 ; HR 5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR 5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5 1 99 Specialty Crop Research Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023; H. R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO)

Client expense: $430,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023 , including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R. 2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H. R. 2720 strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H. R. 4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR 41 27 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR 41 73 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR 4739 and S . 2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR 4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023 ; HR 5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR 5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5 1 99 Specialty Crop Research Act; S. 2326 SNAP Nutrition Security Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023 ; H. R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO)

Client expense: $430,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023 , including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R. 2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H. R. 2720 strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H. R. 4856 GusNIP Flexibility Act; H. R. 4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR 41 27 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR 41 73 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR 4739 and S . 2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR 4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023 ; HR 5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR 5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5 1 99 Specialty Crop Research Act; S. 2326 SNAP Nutrition Security Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023 ; H. R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO); H.R.5589 and S.2874 Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act

Client expense: $299,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023, including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R.2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H.R.2720 Strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H.R.4856 GusNIP Flexibility Act; H.R.4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR4127 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR4173 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR4739 and S.2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023; HR5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5199 Specialty Crop Research Act; S.2326 SNAP Nutrition Security Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023; H.R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO); H.R. 5589 and S. 2874 Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act

Client expense: $299,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements. H.R.5268 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. H.R.5389 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. H.R.4979 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers; extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States. H.R.5604 - Agricultural Right to Repair Act of 2023; support for guaranteeing farmers complete access, on fair and reasonable terms, to fix their own farm equipment, and guaranteeing similar support to independent mechanics. H.R.6142 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. H.R.6271 - Farm to Fly Act of 2023; support for affirming the definition of "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" and expanding opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel. H.R.6363 - Further Continuing Appropriations and Others Extensions Act, 2024; support for extending the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). H.R.6379 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). H.R.6508 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. H.R.4366 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024; opposition to restricting USDA rulemaking and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, support for retaining funds from merger filing fees for antitrust enforcement. H.R.7444 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. H.R.6661 - Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing USDA's Rural Cooperative and Development Grants (RCDG) to better serve underserved rural communities. H.R.3904 - Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023; support for aligning the definition of a beginning farmer with other programs, increasing premium subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers. H.R.7769 - Farm Transitions Act of 2024; support for establishing a commission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on the barriers to farm and agricultural land ownership and other challenges facing young and beginning farmers. H.R.8052 - Year-Round E15 Act of 2024; support for allowing the year-round sale of E15 in certain states in 2024. H.R.8544 - Fair Repair Act of 2024; support for requiring original equipment manufacturers making diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers. H.R.7046 - Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024; support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) under the H-2A program to the rate in effect on December 31, 2023. H.R.530 - Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act; issues pertaining to limiting livestock auction market owners from holding an ownership interest in, finance, or participate in the management or operation of meatpacking plants. H.R.8467 - Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024; issues pertaining to passing a 2024 farm bill that supports family farmers and ranchers and strengthens food security. H.R.9787 - Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act of 2024; support for restricting eligibility for the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) to domestically produced feedstocks; support for extending the tax credit through 2034. H.R.10545 - American Relief Act, 2025; support extending the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) and provisions providing economic and disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers. S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the special investigator for competition matters at USDA. S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats. S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers. S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases. S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing program emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers. S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. S.2670 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers, extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol. S.2890 - Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2023; support adjusting USDA FSA loan limits, increasing options for distressed borrowers. S.3378 - Rural Energy Equity Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for small- and mid-sized producers. S.3497 - FARM Home Loans Act of 2023; support for modifying the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to modify rural housing financing to increase competition in the rural home mortgage market. S.J.Res. 62 - Disapproval of the Rule relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef from Paraguay"; support for reinstating the ban on beef imports from Paraguay. S.3309 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. S.2458 - Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023; support for aligning the definition of a beginning farmer with other programs, increasing premium subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers. S.4018 - Farm Transitions Act of 2024; support for establishing a commission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on the barriers to farm and agricultural land ownership and other challenges facing young and beginning farmers. S.4422 - Fair Repair Act of 2024; support for requiring original equipment manufacturers making diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers. S.2340 - Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act of 2023; support for establishing a federal program that strengthens land, capital, and market access for beginning and underserved farmers and ranchers. S.Res.71 - A resolution supporting the designation of May 29, 2024, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to raise awareness around mental health in the agricultural industry and workforce and to continue to reduce stigma associated with mental illness; support for the resolution. S.3848 - Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024; support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) under the H-2A program to the rate in effect on December 31, 2023. S.4963 - Wildlife-Agriculture Disease Prevention Act of 2024; support for establishing a Wildlife-Agriculture Disease Coordinator within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to prevent and respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks. S.1237 - Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act of 2023; support for exempting family farms and small businesses with less than 100 full-time employees from reporting land and equipment as assets during student financial aid contribution calculations. S.5106 - Livestock Owned by Communities to Advance Local Foods Act; support for exemptions for certain small-scale operators from several meat inspection regulations. S.5145 - Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act of 2024; support for restricting eligibility for the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) to domestically produced feedstocks; support for extending the tax credit through 2034. S.5335 - Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024; issues pertaining to passing a 2024 farm bill that supports family farmers and ranchers and strengthens food security. Issues other than legislation: Issues pertaining to the extension of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). Issues pertaining to payment calculations under the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs. Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs. Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers. Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization. Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement. Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract. Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards. Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment. Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting. Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity. Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed. Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry. Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol. Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel. Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors. Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture. Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance. Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN). Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program. Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform. Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages. Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities. Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label. Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs. Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules. Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides. Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs. Issues pertaining to the distribution, sale, and use of dicamba herbicide products. Issues pertaining to support for returning the Class I mover formula to the "higher-of" the Class III or IV calculations. Issues pertaining to conditions for make allowance changes in the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) hearings. Issues pertaining to implementation of the Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions (SUSTAINS) Act.

ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - H.R.6951, the College Cost Reduction Act, which would through many ways reduce the cost of higher education. PFB's sole and really only reason why we supported it was due to the bill including S.1237/H.R.1250, the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act. S.1237/H.R.1250 would revert the recent changes to FAFSA that now requires applicants to report their assets versus their income. This change has put farms and small businesses at a significant disadvantage. - H.R.4565, the All Children Are Equal (ACE) Act, would eliminate the number weighting system used to distribute Title I grants to ensure that school districts are treated equally based upon their percentages of poverty, rather than population. - H.R. 7731, the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag) Act, which would create a $5 million grant program within the Department of Education to help CTE schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. - H.R.2728, the Young Farmer Success Act, which would make certain farmers and ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023, including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R.2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H.R.2720 Strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H.R.4856 GusNIP Flexibility Act; H.R.4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR4127 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR4173 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR4739 and S.2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023; HR5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5199 Specialty Crop Research Act; S.2326 SNAP Nutrition Security Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023; H.R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO); H.R. 5589 and S. 2874 Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act

Client expense: $283,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements. H.R.5268 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. H.R.5389 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. H.R.4979 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers; extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States. H.R.5604 - Agricultural Right to Repair Act of 2023; support for guaranteeing farmers complete access, on fair and reasonable terms, to fix their own farm equipment, and guaranteeing similar support to independent mechanics. H.R.6142 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. H.R.6271 - Farm to Fly Act of 2023; support for affirming the definition of "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" and expanding opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel. H.R.6363 - Further Continuing Appropriations and Others Extensions Act, 2024; support for extending the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). H.R.6379 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). H.R.6508 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. H.R.4366 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024; opposition to restricting USDA rulemaking and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, support for retaining funds from merger filing fees for antitrust enforcement. H.R.7444 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. H.R.6661 - Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing USDA's Rural Cooperative and Development Grants (RCDG) to better serve underserved rural communities. H.R.3904 - Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023; support for aligning the definition of a beginning farmer with other programs, increasing premium subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers. H.R.7769 - Farm Transitions Act of 2024; support for establishing a commission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on the barriers to farm and agricultural land ownership and other challenges facing young and beginning farmers. H.R.8052 - Year-Round E15 Act of 2024; support for allowing the year-round sale of E15 in certain states in 2024. H.R.8544 - Fair Repair Act of 2024; support for requiring original equipment manufacturers making diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers. H.R.7046 - Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024; support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) under the H-2A program to the rate in effect on December 31, 2023. H.R.530 - Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act; issues pertaining to limiting livestock auction market owners from holding an ownership interest in, finance, or participate in the management or operation of meatpacking plants. H.R.8467 - Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024; issues pertaining to passing a 2024 farm bill that supports family farmers and ranchers and strengthens food security. H.R.9787 - Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act of 2024; support for restricting eligibility for the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) to domestically produced feedstocks; support for extending the tax credit through 2034. S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the special investigator for competition matters at USDA. S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats. S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers. S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases. S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing program emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers. S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. S.2670 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers, extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol. S.2890 - Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2023; support adjusting USDA FSA loan limits, increasing options for distressed borrowers. S.3378 - Rural Energy Equity Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for small- and mid-sized producers. S.3497 - FARM Home Loans Act of 2023; support for modifying the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to modify rural housing financing to increase competition in the rural home mortgage market. S.J.Res. 62 - Disapproval of the Rule relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef from Paraguay"; support for reinstating the ban on beef imports from Paraguay. S.3309 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. S.2458 - Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023; support for aligning the definition of a beginning farmer with other programs, increasing premium subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers. S.4018 - Farm Transitions Act of 2024; support for establishing a commission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on the barriers to farm and agricultural land ownership and other challenges facing young and beginning farmers. S.4422 - Fair Repair Act of 2024; support for requiring original equipment manufacturers making diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers. S.2340 - Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act of 2023; support for establishing a federal program that strengthens land, capital, and market access for beginning and underserved farmers and ranchers. S.Res.71 - A resolution supporting the designation of May 29, 2024, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to raise awareness around mental health in the agricultural industry and workforce and to continue to reduce stigma associated with mental illness; support for the resolution. S.3848 - Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024; support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) under the H-2A program to the rate in effect on December 31, 2023. S.4963 - Wildlife-Agriculture Disease Prevention Act of 2024; support for establishing a Wildlife-Agriculture Disease Coordinator within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to prevent and respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks. S.1237 - Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act of 2023; support for exempting family farms and small businesses with less than 100 full-time employees from reporting land and equipment as assets during student financial aid contribution calculations. S.5106 - Livestock Owned by Communities to Advance Local Foods Act; support for exemptions for certain small-scale operators from several meat inspection regulations. S.5145 - Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act of 2024; support for restricting eligibility for the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) to domestically produced feedstocks; support for extending the tax credit through 2034. Issues other than legislation: Issues pertaining to the extension of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). Issues pertaining to payment calculations under the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs. Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs. Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers. Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization. Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement. Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract. Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards. Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment. Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting. Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity. Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed. Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry. Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol. Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel. Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors. Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture. Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance. Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN). Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program. Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform. Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages. Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities. Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label. Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs. Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules. Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides. Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs. Issues pertaining to the distribution, sale, and use of dicamba herbicide products. Issues pertaining to support for returning the Class I mover formula to the "higher-of" the Class III or IV calculations. Issues pertaining to conditions for make allowance changes in the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) hearings. Issues pertaining to implementation of the Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions (SUSTAINS) Act.

ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - H.R.4565, the All Children Are Equal (ACE) Act, would eliminate the number weighting system used to distribute Title I grants to ensure that school districts are treated equally based upon their percentages of poverty, rather than population. - H.R. 7731, the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag) Act, which would create a $5 million grant program within the Department of Education to help CTE schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. - H.R.2728, the Young Farmer Success Act, which would make certain farmers and ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements. H.R.5268 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. H.R.5389 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. H.R.4979 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers; extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States. H.R.5604 - Agricultural Right to Repair Act of 2023; support for guaranteeing farmers complete access, on fair and reasonable terms, to fix their own farm equipment, and guaranteeing similar support to independent mechanics. H.R.6142 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. H.R.6271 - Farm to Fly Act of 2023; support for affirming the definition of "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" and expanding opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel. H.R.6363 - Further Continuing Appropriations and Others Extensions Act, 2024; support for extending the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). H.R.6379 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). H.R.6508 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. H.R.4366 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024; opposition to restricting USDA rulemaking and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, support for retaining funds from merger filing fees for antitrust enforcement. H.R.7444 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. H.R.6661 - Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing USDA's Rural Cooperative and Development Grants (RCDG) to better serve underserved rural communities. H.R.3904 - Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023; support for aligning the definition of a beginning farmer with other programs, increasing premium subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers. H.R.7769 - Farm Transitions Act of 2024; support for establishing a commission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on the barriers to farm and agricultural land ownership and other challenges facing young and beginning farmers. H.R.8052 - Year-Round E15 Act of 2024; support for allowing the year-round sale of E15 in certain states in 2024. H.R.8544 - Fair Repair Act of 2024; support for requiring original equipment manufacturers making diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers. H.R.7046 - Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024; support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) under the H-2A program to the rate in effect on December 31, 2023. H.R.530 - Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act; issues pertaining to limiting livestock auction market owners from holding an ownership interest in, finance, or participate in the management or operation of meatpacking plants. H.R.8467 - Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024; issues pertaining to passing a 2024 farm bill that supports family farmers and ranchers and strengthens food security. S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the special investigator for competition matters at USDA. S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats. S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers. S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases. S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing program emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers. S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. S.2670 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers, extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol. S.2890 - Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2023; support adjusting USDA FSA loan limits, increasing options for distressed borrowers. S.3378 - Rural Energy Equity Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for small- and mid-sized producers. S.3497 - FARM Home Loans Act of 2023; support for modifying the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to modify rural housing financing to increase competition in the rural home mortgage market. S.J.Res. 62 - Disapproval of the Rule relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef from Paraguay"; support for reinstating the ban on beef imports from Paraguay. S.3309 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. S.2458 - Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023; support for aligning the definition of a beginning farmer with other programs, increasing premium subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers. S.4018 - Farm Transitions Act of 2024; support for establishing a commission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on the barriers to farm and agricultural land ownership and other challenges facing young and beginning farmers. S.4422 - Fair Repair Act of 2024; support for requiring original equipment manufacturers making diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers. S.2340 - Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act of 2023; support for establishing a federal program that strengthens land, capital, and market access for beginning and underserved farmers and ranchers. S.Res.71 - A resolution supporting the designation of May 29, 2024, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to raise awareness around mental health in the agricultural industry and workforce and to continue to reduce stigma associated with mental illness; support for the resolution. S.3848 - Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024; support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) under the H-2A program to the rate in effect on December 31, 2023. Issues other than legislation: Issues pertaining to the extension of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). Issues pertaining to payment calculations under the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs. Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs. Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers. Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization. Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement. Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract. Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards. Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment. Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting. Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity. Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed. Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry. Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol. Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel. Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors. Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture. Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance. Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN). Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program. Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform. Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages. Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities. Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label. Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs. Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules. Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides. Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs. Issues pertaining to the distribution, sale, and use of dicamba herbicide products. Issues pertaining to support for returning the Class I mover formula to the "higher-of" the Class III or IV calculations. Issues pertaining to conditions for make allowance changes in the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) hearings.

1. Student loan relief provisions generally, including debt cancellation, including section 542 of S.1939, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 2. School Staff Workforce related issues including staff shortages, teacher diversity, teacher preparation and tutoring services, teacher apprenticeship; and Grow Your Own 3. Paraprofessionals and teacher pay 4. School staff working conditions, pay, shortages, respect, benefits 5. H.R.7946/S.4117, Climate Change Education, Entirety 6. Private school vouchers including NDAA amendments and the DC voucher program/SOAR Act FY2024 and FY2025 funding and policy provisions 7. H.R.6576/S.3360, Full Service Community Schools Expansion Act of 2023, Entirety 8. Proposals to expand Pell Grants to short-term programs including H.R.793/S.161, JOBS Act and H.R.6585, Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, including institutional eligibility restrictions 9. S.1409, Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), Entirety 10. Child Care, Head Start workforce issues, generally 11. Artificial Intelligence, Education and workforce related issues 12. Executive Order 14110 -- The Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, Education related issues 13. S.Res.450, the Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights 14. H.Res.990, the Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights 15. Tuition tax credit proposals and 529 tax saving account proposals, including H.R.531, Educational Choice for Children Act 16. Social Media and Platform Accountability related issues 17. H.R.8070, Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, Parents Bill of Rights; Culture War; Voucher related amendments; and DOD Education Activity schools in Europe South region 18. Education technology and kids' privacy related issues 19. Student Loan Servicing Reform and Consumer Protection related issues, including H.R.8660/S.4481, Student Loan Servicers Accountability Act of 2024 20. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Improvements and generally; H.R.6792, PSLF Administrative Improvements Act; H.R.2728, Young Garmer Success Act; and H.R.7139/S.3695, Teacher Debt Relief Act 21. Teacher loan forgiveness programs, generally, including S.963, Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act and Teacher Loan Repayment Act 22. Postsecondary Student Success Grants (College completion) and funding 23. Faiths Law (draft bill) 24. H.R.7725/S.4115, Embracing anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act 25. H.R.8407/S.4333, Domenic and Eds Law 26. Welcoming Students to Our Schools Act (draft bill) 27. Helping Students Plan for College Act 28. H.R.8807/S.4595, Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act 29. H.R.8524, the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act 30. H.R.8444, the Mental Health in Schools Act 31. H.R.8526, the Trauma-Informed Schools Act 32. IAQ and Healthy Schools Act (draft bill) 33. S.1418, Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), Entirety 34. Rural education issues 35. Cognitive behavioral therapy and schools (draft bill) 36. S.3266 Focus on Learning Act 37. H.R.5769 Family Friendly Schools Act 38. H.R.8319 Advanced Learning Models Act 39. S.4214 Kids Off Social Media Act 40. Supporting Full-Service Community Schools funding in FY25 Monitor the following: 1. Title IX and Sex-Related Eligibility Criteria for Male and Female Athletic Teams 2. School Bus related issues 3. Borrower defense rule issues 4. Recognizing Care Workers 5. Income-driven repayment plans (student loans), including Administrative adjustment, regulations, and generally 6. Keeping All Students Safe Act, Entirety 7. Change of ownership (institutions of higher education), including ongoing University of Phoenix-University of Idaho transaction 8. H.R.5030, Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023, Entirety 9. Enforcement of program integrity rules and efforts to identify low-value programs (higher education), including gainful employment regulations 10. Online program management companies, role in higher education and compliance with incentive compensation ban 11. H.R.6791, Artificial Intelligence Literacy Act of 2023, Entirety 12. H.R.4519/S.2217, The IDEA Full Funding Act 13. H.R.2715/S.1202, Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (PACT) Act 14. Ensuring Safe Drinking Water at Schools, Lead & Copper Rule Improvements 15. Health Funding Correction Act 16. H.R.6204, the See the Board Act 17. H.R.7921/S.4091, Countering Antisemitism Act 18. H.R.5484/S.2822, Green Ribbon Act of 2023, Entirety 19. Career and Technical Education related issues 20. Child Care, Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten, generally 21. Public Law 117-200, Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act 22. S.3681, Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act 23. Parental and Family Engagement related issues 24. H.R.7804/S.3727, Proprietary Education Oversight Task Force Act 25. H.R.6951, College Cost Reduction Act 26. S.2660, Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act, Entirety 27. Public Law 117-169, Inflation Reduction Act, Direct Pay 28. Tutoring 29. S.1514, Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator and Responder (HELPER) Act, Entirety 30. TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant program related issues, generally 31. Title II, Part A, Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants program of the Every Student Succeeds Act

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023, including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R.2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H.R.2720 Strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H.R.4856 GusNIP Flexibility Act; H.R.4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR4127 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR4173 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR4739 and S.2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023; HR5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5199 Specialty Crop Research Act; S.2326 SNAP Nutrition Security Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023; H.R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO); H.R. 5589 and S. 2874 Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act

Client expense: $275,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements. H.R.5268 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. H.R.5389 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. H.R.4979 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers; extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States. H.R.5604 - Agricultural Right to Repair Act of 2023; support for guaranteeing farmers complete access, on fair and reasonable terms, to fix their own farm equipment, and guaranteeing similar support to independent mechanics. H.R.6142 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. H.R.6271 - Farm to Fly Act of 2023; support for affirming the definition of "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" and expanding opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel. H.R.6363 - Further Continuing Appropriations and Others Extensions Act, 2024; support for extending the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). H.R.6379 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). H.R.6508 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. H.R.4366 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024; opposition to restricting USDA rulemaking and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, support for retaining funds from merger filing fees for antitrust enforcement. H.R.7444 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. H.R.6661 - Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing USDA's Rural Cooperative and Development Grants (RCDG) to better serve underserved rural communities. H.R.3904 - Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023; support for aligning the definition of a beginning farmer with other programs, increasing premium subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers. H.R.7769 - Farm Transitions Act of 2024; support for establishing a commission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on the barriers to farm and agricultural land ownership and other challenges facing young and beginning farmers. H.R.8052 - Year-Round E15 Act of 2024; support for allowing the year-round sale of E15 in certain states in 2024. H.R.8544 - Fair Repair Act of 2024; support for requiring original equipment manufacturers making diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers. H.R.7046 - Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024; support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) under the H-2A program to the rate in effect on December 31, 2023. H.R.8467 - Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024; issues pertaining to passing a 2024 farm bill that supports family farmers and ranchers and strengthens food security. S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the special investigator for competition matters at USDA. S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats. S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers. S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases. S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing program emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers. S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. S.2670 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers, extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol. S.2890 - Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2023; support adjusting USDA FSA loan limits, increasing options for distressed borrowers. S.3378 - Rural Energy Equity Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for small- and mid-sized producers. S.3497 - FARM Home Loans Act of 2023; support for modifying the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to modify rural housing financing to increase competition in the rural home mortgage market. S.J.Res. 62 - Disapproval of the Rule relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef from Paraguay"; support for reinstating the ban on beef imports from Paraguay. S.3309 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. S.2458 - Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act of 2023; support for aligning the definition of a beginning farmer with other programs, increasing premium subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers. S.4018 - Farm Transitions Act of 2024; support for establishing a commission at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on the barriers to farm and agricultural land ownership and other challenges facing young and beginning farmers. S.4422 - Fair Repair Act of 2024; support for requiring original equipment manufacturers making diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers. S.2340 - Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act of 2023; support for establishing a federal program that strengthens land, capital, and market access for beginning and underserved farmers and ranchers. S.Res.71 - A resolution supporting the designation of May 29, 2024, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to raise awareness around mental health in the agricultural industry and workforce and to continue to reduce stigma associated with mental illness; support for the resolution. S.3848 - Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024; support for freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) under the H-2A program to the rate in effect on December 31, 2023. Issues other than legislation: Issues pertaining to the extension of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). Issues pertaining to payment calculations under the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs. Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs. Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers. Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization. Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement. Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract. Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards. Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment. Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting. Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity. Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed. Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry. Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol. Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel. Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors. Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture. Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance. Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN). Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program. Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform. Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages. Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities. Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label. Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs. Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules. Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides. Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs. Issues pertaining to the distribution, sale, and use of dicamba herbicide products. Issues pertaining to support for returning the Class I mover formula to the "higher-of" the Class III or IV calculations. Issues pertaining to conditions for make allowance changes in the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) hearings.

ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - H.R.4565, the All Children Are Equal (ACE) Act, would eliminate the number weighting system used to distribute Title I grants to ensure that school districts are treated equally based upon their percentages of poverty, rather than population. - H.R. 7731, the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag) Act, which would create a $5 million grant program within the Department of Education to help CTE schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. - H.R.2728, the Young Farmer Success Act, which would make certain farmers and ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023, including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R.2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H.R.2720 Strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H.R.4856 GusNIP Flexibility Act; H.R.4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR4127 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR4173 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR4739 and S.2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023; HR5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5199 Specialty Crop Research Act; S.2326 SNAP Nutrition Security Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023; H.R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO); H.R. 5589 and S. 2874 Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act

Client expense: $185,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements. H.R.5268 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. H.R.5389 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. H.R.4979 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers; extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States. H.R.5604 - Agricultural Right to Repair Act of 2023; support for guaranteeing farmers complete access, on fair and reasonable terms, to fix their own farm equipment, and guaranteeing similar support to independent mechanics. H.R.6142 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. H.R.6271 - Farm to Fly Act of 2023; support for affirming the definition of "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" and expanding opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel. H.R.6363 - Further Continuing Appropriations and Others Extensions Act, 2024; support for extending the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). H.R.6379 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). H.R.6508 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. H.R.4366 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024; opposition to restricting USDA rulemaking and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, support for retaining funds from merger filing fees for antitrust enforcement. H.R.7444 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the special investigator for competition matters at USDA. S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats. S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers. S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases. S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing program emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers. S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. S.2670 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers, extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol. S.2890 - Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2023; support adjusting USDA FSA loan limits, increasing options for distressed borrowers. S.3378 - Rural Energy Equity Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for small- and mid-sized producers. S.3497 - FARM Home Loans Act of 2023; support for modifying the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to modify rural housing financing to increase competition in the rural home mortgage market. S.J.Res. 62 - Disapproval of the Rule relating to "Importation of Fresh Beef from Paraguay"; support for reinstating the ban on beef imports from Paraguay. S.3309 - Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act of 2023; support for creating multiyear, flexible federal grant programs that better direct funding and technical assistance to rural communities. Issues other than legislation: Issues pertaining to the extension of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). Issues pertaining to payment calculations under the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs. Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs. Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers. Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization. Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement. Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract. Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards. Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment. Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting. Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity. Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed. Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry. Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol. Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel. Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors. Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture. Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance. Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN). Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program. Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform. Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages. Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities. Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label. Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs. Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules. Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides. Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs. Issues pertaining to the distribution, sale, and use of dicamba herbicide products. Issues pertaining to support for returning the Class I mover formula to the "higher-of" the Class III or IV calculations. Issues pertaining to conditions for make allowance changes in the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) hearings.

ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - H.R.4565, the All Children Are Equal (ACE) Act, would eliminate the number weighting system used to distribute Title I grants to ensure that school districts are treated equally based upon their percentages of poverty, rather than population. - H.R.(no bill #), the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag) Act, which would create a $5 million grant program within the Department of Education to help CTE schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. - H.R.2728, the Young Farmer Success Act, which would make certain farmers and ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Client expense: $30,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023, including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R.2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H.R.2720 Strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H.R.4856 GusNIP Flexibility Act; H.R.4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR4127 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR4173 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR4739 and S.2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023; HR5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5199 Specialty Crop Research Act; S.2326 SNAP Nutrition Security Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023; H.R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO); H.R. 5589 and S. 2874 Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act

Client expense: $185,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements. H.R.5268 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. H.R.5389 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. H.R.4979 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers; extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States. H.R.5604 - Agricultural Right to Repair Act of 2023; support for guaranteeing farmers complete access, on fair and reasonable terms, to fix their own farm equipment, and guaranteeing similar support to independent mechanics. H.R.6142 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. H.R.6271 - Farm to Fly Act of 2023; support for affirming the definition of "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" and expanding opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel. H.R.6363 - Further Continuing Appropriations and Others Extensions Act, 2024; support for extending the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). H.R.6379 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). H.R.6508 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the special investigator for competition matters at USDA. S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats. S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers. S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases. S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing program emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers. S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. S.2670 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers, extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol. S.2890 - Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2023; support adjusting USDA FSA loan limits, increasing options for distressed borrowers. S.3378 - Rural Energy Equity Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for small- and mid-sized producers. S.3497 - FARM Home Loans Act of 2023; support for modifying the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to modify rural housing financing to increase competition in the rural home mortgage market. Issues other than legislation: Issues pertaining to the extension of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). Issues pertaining to payment calculations under the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs. Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs. Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers. Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization. Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement. Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract. Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards. Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment. Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting. Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity. Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed. Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry. Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol. Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel. Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors. Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture. Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance. Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN). Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program. Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform. Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages. Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities. Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label. Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs. Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules. Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides. Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs.

Asked PA House Members to support H.R.4565, the All Children Are Equal (ACE) Act by Representatives GT Thompson (R-PA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). This bill would eliminate the number weighting system used to distribute Title I grants to ensure that school districts are treated equally based upon their percentages of poverty, rather than population. Asked PA House Member to support H.R.(no bill #), the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag) Act by Representative GT Thompson (R-PA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). This bill would create a $5 million grant program within the Department of Education to help CTE schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. Asked PA House Members to support H.R.2728, the Young Farmer Success Act by Representatives "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Joe Courtney (D-CT). This bill would make certain farmers and ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Asked PA House Members to support H.R.4565, the All Children Are Equal (ACE) Act by Representatives GT Thompson (R-PA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). This bill would eliminate the number weighting system used to distribute Title I grants to ensure that school districts are treated equally based upon their percentages of poverty, rather than population. Asked PA House Member to support H.R.(no bill #), the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag) Act by Representative GT Thompson (R-PA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). This bill would create a $5 million grant program within the Department of Education to help CTE schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. Asked PA House Members to support H.R.2728, the Young Farmer Success Act by Representatives "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Joe Courtney (D-CT). This bill would make certain farmers and ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023, including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R.2728 Young Farmer Success Act; H.R.2720 Strengthening Organic Agricultural Research (SOAR) Act of 2023; H.R.4856 GusNIP Flexibility Act; H.R.4873 Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act; HR4127 Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act; HR4173 Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act; HR4739 and S.2682 Protecting Americas Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act; HR4838 Specialty Crop Security Act of 2023; HR5061 The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act; HR5062 The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act; HR 5199 Specialty Crop Research Act; S.2326 SNAP Nutrition Security Act; S.2591 Supporting Urban Farmers Act of 2023; H.R. 5973 Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO); H.R. 5589 and S. 2874 Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act

Client expense: $250,000 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements. H.R.5268 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. H.R.5389 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. H.R.4979 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers; extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States. H.R.5604 - Agricultural Right to Repair Act of 2023; support for guaranteeing farmers complete access, on fair and reasonable terms, to fix their own farm equipment, and guaranteeing similar support to independent mechanics. S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the the special investigator for competition matters at USDA. S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats. S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers. S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases. S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program. S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services. S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing program emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers. S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles. S.2670 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers, extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities. S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol. S.2890 - Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2023; support adjusting USDA FSA loan limits, increasing options for distressed borrowers. Issues other than legislation: Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs. Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs. Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers. Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization. Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement. Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract. Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards. Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment. Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting. Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity. Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed. Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry. Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol. Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel. Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors. Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture. Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance. Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN). Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program. Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform. Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages. Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities. Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label. Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs. Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules. Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides. Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs.

Issues related the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, currently expiring Sept 2023, including titles 1-4, 6-7, 10-11. H.R.2728 Young Farmer Success Act

Client expense: $250,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Had several conversations with PA House and Senate Members on the 2023 Farm Bill. Discussed need to be passed on time, Farm Bureau priorities (AFBF, PFB, and Northeast state Farm Bureaus), and listened to legislators' current concerns with provisions in the farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. Submitted PFB's 2023 Farm Bill asks to House and Senate Ag Committee staff. Participated in a federal farm bill stakeholder roundtable hosted by PA Department of Agriculture. Feedback and comments were used by Secretary Redding in his meeting with Chairman Thompson. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support and co-sponsor S.980/H.R.3755, the Industrial Hemp Act by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representatives Matt Rosendale (R-MT-02) and Chrissy Houlahan (R-PA-06). This bill would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support and co-sponsor S.1867/H.R.3922, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-3) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-5). This bill would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support and co-sponsor S.1837/H.R.3867, the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) and Mike Kelly (R-PA-16). This bill would designate spotted lanternflies as a high priority pest under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to direct more federal research dollars to combat these devastating insects. Participated in a stakeholder roundtable event on H.R.3867. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support and co-sponsor S.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) and Dan Meuser (R-PA-09). This bill would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support and co-sponsor S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23). This bill would initiate a Federal Order Hearing within 180 days in addition to giving USDA the needed authority to cost survey dairy product manufacturers. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support and co-sponsor H.R.2728, the Young Farmer Success Act by Representatives "GT" Thompson (R-PA-15) and Joe Courtney (D-CT-02). This bill would make certain farmers and ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Drafted statement of support from PFB's President for H.R.2728. Had discussions with AFBF on what to include to USDA in Farm Bureau's proposal for the federal milk marketing orders. Had meetings with Senator Fetterman's office to discuss their efforts on a letter to USTR expressing trade concerns with the HPAI vaccine and introducing legislation to combat mislabeling of egg alternatives. Conducted a fly-in visit on June 21st with PFB members to visits with their legislators and advocate PFB's priorities: farm bill, dairy, waters of the U.S., ag labor, PFAS, and sustainability.

H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements. S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets. S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the the special investigator for competition matters at USDA. S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors. S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies. S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs. S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent. S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars. S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline. S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats. S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers. S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities. S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems. S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk. S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies. S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers. S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects. Issues other than legislation: Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs. Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs. Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers. Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization. Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement. Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract. Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards. Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling. Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment. Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting. Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity. Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed. Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry. Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol. Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel. Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors. Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture. Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance. Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN). Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program. Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform. Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages. Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities. Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label. Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs. Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules. Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides. Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs.