Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act

Supported farm bill reauthorization with a focus on risk management programs in Title I and crop insurance. Asked USDA to release the $10 billion in economic assistance and $20.8 billion in disaster relief assistance from H.R.10545 (FY25 December 2024 CR). Informed Congressional delegation, White House Office of Public Liaison, and USDA of PFB's 2025 priorities (animal health, dairy, energy, environment/regulatory reform, farm bill (including Prop 12), labor, transportation, and wildlife). Supported compensation programs for animal health diseases impacting livestock and poultry such as HPAI. Concerns regarding the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program tranche 3 funding cut. Worked with USDA, PDA, and House Ag Committee on a long-term solution for reauthorizing LFPA. Concerns regarding NASS' method for data collection of grapes. Monitored S.98, the Agriculture Innovation Act, which aims to improve USDA data collection and research on conservation practices to better inform farmers about which practices reduce risk and increase profitability, enhance crop yields, and improve soil health. SUPPORTED THE FOLLOWING BILLS: - S.910, the Farm Ownership Improvement Act, which would require USDA to implement a pre-qualification or pre-approval process for all farmers and ranchers seeking FSA Direct Farm Ownership loans. - S.581/H.R.295, the Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.741/H.R.1613, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.1073/H.R.2117, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. - S.156/H.R.575, the Increased TSP Access Act, which would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. - S.29 / H.R.139, the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight savings time permanent. - S.469/H.R.1131, the Farmers First Act, which would reauthorize and increase funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) to $15 million annually for five years. - S.420/H.R.985, the Dairy Business Innovation Act, which would increase the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII) program's funding from the current $20 million to $36 million. OPPOSED THE FOLLOWING: - Section 112032 (Tobacco duty drawback provision) in H.R.1 - House Ways and Means markup

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

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

FARM BILL: - Urged House and Senate Members to introduce text and pass a farm bill ASAP. - Worked with AFBF on providing intel for farm bill by listening to legislator's asks in the next farm bill. - Met with PA delegation's offices to discuss farm bill priorities (strong risk management programs, keeping nutrition programs in the farm bill, improving rural development resources such as broadband and precision ag technologies, increasing funding for land-grant universities' research facilities, increasing access to rural childcare, asking for legislative fix to Prop 12, among many other initiatives) in farm bill. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12. - Attended GT's Farm Bill Listening Session at Farm Show - Attended GT and RM Craig's Farm Bill Listening Session at AFBF Convention - Met with PSU Leadership to discuss the importance of Title X (Research) funding in the farm bill for land grant universities' research facilities. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - Reintroduction of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, which would strengthen USDA's BioPreferred Program. This program increases market access for bio-based products and ensures America maintains its status as the worlds leader in biomanufacturing. - S.910, the Farm Ownership Improvement Act, which would require USDA to implement a pre-qualification or pre-approval process for all farmers and ranchers seeking FSA Direct Farm Ownership loans. - Reintroduction of the Specialty Crop Security Act, which would increase USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program authorization from $85 to $100 million per year and expand opportunities for specialty crop stakeholders to provide input into how program funding is used by state departments of agriculture. - S.581/H.R.295, the Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - Reintroduction of the the Industrial Hemp Act, which 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. - Reintroduction of the the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act, which would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. - Reintroduction of the the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, which 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. - S.741/H.R.1613, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.1073/H.R.2117, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. - S.156/H.R.575, the Increased TSP Access Act, which would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. - Reintroduction of the the GusNIP Expansion Act, which would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which awards competitive grant funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - Reintroduction of the Farm Risk Abatement and Mitigation Election (FRAME) Act, which would establish tax-deferred farm savings accounts that allows farmers to independently prepare for and mitigate the financial impact of disasters. - Reintroduction of the Save Our Small Farms Act, which would provide a safety net by expanding the number of farms eligible to purchase crop insurance, lower coverage costs for small farms, and direct USDA to develop more responsive coverage options for farmers during extreme weather. - Reintroduction of the Fair Credit for Farmers Act, which aims to improve farmers' access to credit from the Farm Service Agency by increasing accountability, offering more flexible terms, and establishing stronger borrower protections. - S.838/H.R.1822, the ACRE Act, which would exclude from the gross income of certain financial lending institutions, for income tax purposes, interest received on loans secured by rural or agricultural real estate. - H.R.2203, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, which would would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives. - S.1050, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act, which would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. - H.R.2253, the Puppy Protection Act, which would require USDA to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE / DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS: - Advocated for USDA to release the $10 billion in economic assistance and $20.8 billion in disaster relief assistance from H.R.10545 (FY25 December 2024 CR). - Outreach to inform PFB members about the release of economic assistance funds under the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). - Listened to stakeholder webinars to learn more about ECAP. - Thanked USDA for releasing the economic assistance funds by the March 19 deadline. - Call with State Farm Bureaus to discuss how we would like the disaster relief funds to be distributed to give feedback to USDA. OTHER: - Attended and advocated for priorities such as whole milk in schools, economic assistance and disaster relief funds, farm bill, reinstating funds for the LFPA program, HPAI, labor, and trade during Secretary Rollins visit to Lebanon, PA. - Assisted USDA in the planning and execution of a roundtable with Secretary Rollins and regional Farm Bureau members to discuss HPAI, trade, labor, and other pressing agricultural issues. - Signed onto coalition letter supporting Stephen Vaden as the Deputy Secretary of USDA. - Informed PA House and Senate offices of PFB's 2025 priorities (animal health, dairy, energy, environment/regulatory reform, farm bill (including Prop 12), labor, transportation, and wildlife). - Recommended Michael Cabell of Luzerne County for PA's USDA Rural Development Director. - Recommended Michael Kerr of Clearfield County PA's USDA FSA Executive Director. Originally, advocated for Harrison Frantz of Franklin County for FSA State Executive Director, but he had to withdraw his name for personal reasons. - Networked and discussed PFB's priorities with legislators and their staff at Farm Show. - Reviewed USDA's proposed final decision for the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs)(Docket #: AMS-DA-23-0031) and emailed PA House and Senate Members that PFB's position is the same as it was in the recommended decision. Specifically, supported a switchback either to the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs. - Worked with Rep. Kelly's office on FWS' proposal to take land via eminent domain in PA-16. - Provided PFB member with talking points for Rep. Houlahan's agriculture forum.

FARM BILL: - Urged House and Senate Members to introduce text and pass a farm bill ASAP. - Worked with AFBF on providing intel for farm bill by listening to legislator's asks in the next farm bill. - Met with PA delegation's offices to discuss farm bill priorities (strong risk management programs, keeping nutrition programs in the farm bill, improving rural development resources such as broadband and precision ag technologies, increasing funding for land-grant universities' research facilities, increasing access to rural childcare, asking for legislative fix to Prop 12, among many other initiatives) in farm bill. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12. - Attended GT's Farm Bill Listening Session at Farm Show - Attended GT and RM Craig's Farm Bill Listening Session at AFBF Convention - Met with PSU Leadership to discuss the importance of Title X (Research) funding in the farm bill for land grant universities' research facilities. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - Reintroduction of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, which would strengthen USDA's BioPreferred Program. This program increases market access for bio-based products and ensures America maintains its status as the worlds leader in biomanufacturing. - S.910, the Farm Ownership Improvement Act, which would require USDA to implement a pre-qualification or pre-approval process for all farmers and ranchers seeking FSA Direct Farm Ownership loans. - Reintroduction of the Specialty Crop Security Act, which would increase USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program authorization from $85 to $100 million per year and expand opportunities for specialty crop stakeholders to provide input into how program funding is used by state departments of agriculture. - S.581/H.R.295, the Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - Reintroduction of the the Industrial Hemp Act, which 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. - Reintroduction of the the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act, which would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. - Reintroduction of the the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, which 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. - S.741/H.R.1613, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.1073/H.R.2117, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. - S.156/H.R.575, the Increased TSP Access Act, which would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. - Reintroduction of the the GusNIP Expansion Act, which would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which awards competitive grant funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - Reintroduction of the Farm Risk Abatement and Mitigation Election (FRAME) Act, which would establish tax-deferred farm savings accounts that allows farmers to independently prepare for and mitigate the financial impact of disasters. - Reintroduction of the Save Our Small Farms Act, which would provide a safety net by expanding the number of farms eligible to purchase crop insurance, lower coverage costs for small farms, and direct USDA to develop more responsive coverage options for farmers during extreme weather. - Reintroduction of the Fair Credit for Farmers Act, which aims to improve farmers' access to credit from the Farm Service Agency by increasing accountability, offering more flexible terms, and establishing stronger borrower protections. - S.838/H.R.1822, the ACRE Act, which would exclude from the gross income of certain financial lending institutions, for income tax purposes, interest received on loans secured by rural or agricultural real estate. - H.R.2203, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, which would would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives. - S.1050, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act, which would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. - H.R.2253, the Puppy Protection Act, which would require USDA to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE / DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS: - Advocated for USDA to release the $10 billion in economic assistance and $20.8 billion in disaster relief assistance from H.R.10545 (FY25 December 2024 CR). - Outreach to inform PFB members about the release of economic assistance funds under the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). - Listened to stakeholder webinars to learn more about ECAP. - Thanked USDA for releasing the economic assistance funds by the March 19 deadline. - Call with State Farm Bureaus to discuss how we would like the disaster relief funds to be distributed to give feedback to USDA. OTHER: - Attended and advocated for priorities such as whole milk in schools, economic assistance and disaster relief funds, farm bill, reinstating funds for the LFPA program, HPAI, labor, and trade during Secretary Rollins visit to Lebanon, PA. - Assisted USDA in the planning and execution of a roundtable with Secretary Rollins and regional Farm Bureau members to discuss HPAI, trade, labor, and other pressing agricultural issues. - Signed onto coalition letter supporting Stephen Vaden as the Deputy Secretary of USDA. - Informed PA House and Senate offices of PFB's 2025 priorities (animal health, dairy, energy, environment/regulatory reform, farm bill (including Prop 12), labor, transportation, and wildlife). - Recommended Michael Cabell of Luzerne County for PA's USDA Rural Development Director. - Recommended Michael Kerr of Clearfield County PA's USDA FSA Executive Director. Originally, advocated for Harrison Frantz of Franklin County for FSA State Executive Director, but he had to withdraw his name for personal reasons. - Networked and discussed PFB's priorities with legislators and their staff at Farm Show. - Reviewed USDA's proposed final decision for the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs)(Docket #: AMS-DA-23-0031) and emailed PA House and Senate Members that PFB's position is the same as it was in the recommended decision. Specifically, supported a switchback either to the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs. - Worked with Rep. Kelly's office on FWS' proposal to take land via eminent domain in PA-16. - Provided PFB member with talking points for Rep. Houlahan's agriculture forum.