Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act of 2017

Michigan Farm Bureau communicated to both the U.S. House and Senate on the need to complete a 2018 Farm Bill before the current bill expires in October 2018. We support the following principles as a guide in writing the next Farm Bill: 1.) Protecting current Farm Bill program spending; 2.) Maintaining a unified farm bill which includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; 3.) Risk management tools which include both federal crop insurance and commodity programs as top funding priorities; 4.) Continuation of Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) with changes to ARC-County to make it more effective and fairer to all farmers; 5.) Developing farm savings accounts as a risk management option for all producers; 6.) Changes to the Dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) to provide producers more flexibility and better coverage; 7.) Maintaining funding for federal conservation programs which maintain environmental benefits; 8.) Maintain adequate funding for the specialty crop industry with emphasis on fundamental research, marketing and promotions, and pest management programs. Michigan Farm Bureau has been working with USDA and House and Senate members on addressing an ongoing concern with farmers enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Lenawee County, Michigan. Audit/reviews were done by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of existing contracts and there have been considerable delays in payments for 2016 and 2017 to farmers. Farm Bureau is advocating for payments to contract holders, improved communication by USDA, and an end to the uncertainty. MFB also supports H.R. 3518, the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Act. The bill would require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a Great Lakes basin initiative for agricultural nonpoint source pollution prevention. The bill would provide incentives for voluntary conservation initiatives on farms. MFB also supported S. 1966, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act. The bill would help streamline the program, reduce unnecessary red tape and ensure the maximum amount of resources go to on the ground conservation practices on farms. We support broader partnerships to help farmers implement conservation in accordance with NRCS practice standards as well as new approaches guided by sound science. RCPP has done a lot of great work in Michigan to support both soil and water quality and a strong agricultural industry. MFB also worked closely with members of the House and Senate and USDA on improving delivery of conservation services in Michigan after a USDA audit of the Conservation Reserve Program. MFB continues to advocate for increased customer service, the inclusion of ditches and drains as an allowed filter strip practice - something allowed in Michigan for decades but recently called into question. MFB supported passage of H.R. 1892, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and supported inclusion of the following items: Provides nearly $90 billion in disaster aid spending, which is critically needed for the farmers and ranchers impacted by the natural disasters last year. Provides assistance to livestock producers, including dairy farmers, including: The Margin Protection Program for dairy producers would be modified to include lower premium rates, monthly margin calculations, and would increase Tier 1 coverage to 5 million pounds of production history. Sign-up for the 2018 MPP coverage would be reopened for 90 days following the signing of the bill. The $20 million cap on livestock related expenditures under the Federal Crop Insurance program would be removed - providing more risk management options for cattle, swine, lamb and dairy farmers. Other Provisions: Provides $6 billion to fight opioid addiction. Extends important energy tax provisions, which were not included in the tax reform bill.

Client expense: $160,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)

Senate Unnumbered, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 H.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 S. 1966, Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act of 2017 S. 2139, Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancement Act of 2017 H.R. 848, Farm Regulatory Certainty Act S. 1966, Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act S. 2624, Environmental Quality Incentive Program Improvement Act

Client expense: $21,839 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service

H.R.3698 & S.1773 - A bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to limit the overall rate of return for crop insurance providers and remove the requirement of budget neutrality in the Standard Reinsurance Agreement;
 H.R.3637 & S. 2215 - The Homegrown Organic Act of 2017; H.R. 2436 & S.2404 - The Organic Agriculture Research Act of 2017; 
 H.R. ___ & S. 2624 - The EQIP Improvement Act of 2018; all sections. H.R.2332 & S.1025 - Assisting Family Farmers through Insurance Reform Measures or the AFFIRM Act, all sections; S. 1966 - The Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act of 2017, all sections; S.2096 & H.R.4305 - the Harvest Price Subsidy Prohibition Act, all sections; H.R. 5203 & S. 2512 - Legislation to prohibit farmers from being paid twice for the same loss via commodity subsidies and crop insurance, all sections; H.R 2 & S._____ - The Agricultural and Nutrition Act (Farm Bill), any sections pertaining to conservation, crop insurance, farm subsidies, environmental regulations and organic.

Client expense: $139,495 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

2018 Farm Bill; S. 1966, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP); 2018 Farm Bill; S. 2243; H.R. 5022, Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP)

Client expense: $52,634 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), President of the U.S., SENATE, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service, White House Office

ComprehensiveInfrastructure (funding for natural resources, transportation, water resources) S. XXX, H.R. XXX; Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) H.R. 2862; Wildfire Disaster Funding Act for a fire borrowing solution S. 1520, H.R. 2023; Modernization Recreational Fisheries Management Act Funding for Function 300 - Natural Resources and Environment H.R. 2936, Resilient Federal Forests Act and other active forest management provisions Executive Order 13778; Presidential Executive Order on Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the "Waters of the United States" Rule 2018 Farm Bill; S. 1966, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) 2018 Farm Bill; S. 2243, Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) Secretarial Order 3356; Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States Executive Order 13792; Presidential Executive Order on the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act

Client expense: $52,634 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), President of the U.S., SENATE, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service, White House Office

Michigan Farm Bureau communicated to both the U.S. House and Senate on the need to complete a 2018 Farm Bill before the current bill expires in October 2018. We support the following principles as a guide in writing the next Farm Bill: 1.) Protecting current Farm Bill program spending; 2.) Maintaining a unified farm bill which includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; 3.) Risk management tools which include both federal crop insurance and commodity programs as top funding priorities; 4.) Continuation of Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) with changes to ARC-County to make it more effective and fairer to all farmers; 5.) Developing farm savings accounts as a risk management option for all producers; 6.) Changes to the Dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) to provide producers more flexibility and better coverage; 7.) Maintaining funding for federal conservation programs which maintain environmental benefits; 8.) Maintain adequate funding for the specialty crop industry with emphasis on fundamental research, marketing and promotions, and pest management programs. Michigan Farm Bureau has been working with USDA and House and Senate members on addressing an ongoing concern with farmers enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Lenawee County, Michigan. Audit/reviews were done by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of existing contracts and there have been considerable delays in payments for 2016 and 2017 to farmers. Farm Bureau is advocating for payments to contract holders, improved communication by USDA, and an end to the uncertainty. MFB also supports H.R. 3518, the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Act. The bill would require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a Great Lakes basin initiative for agricultural nonpoint source pollution prevention. The bill would provide incentives for voluntary conservation initiatives on farms. MFB also supported S. 1966, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act. The bill would help streamline the program, reduce unnecessary red tape and ensure the maximum amount of resources go to on the ground conservation practices on farms. We support broader partnerships to help farmers implement conservation in accordance with NRCS practice standards as well as new approaches guided by sound science. RCPP has done a lot of great work in Michigan to support both soil and water quality and a strong agricultural industry. MFB also worked closely with members of the House and Senate and USDA on improving delivery of conservation services in Michigan after a USDA audit of the Conservation Reserve Program. MFB continues to advocate for increased customer service, the inclusion of ditches and drains as an allowed filter strip practice - something allowed in Michigan for decades but recently called into question.

Senate Unnumbered, Farm Bill House Unnumbered, Farm Bill S. 1966, Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act of 2017 S. 2139, Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancement Act of 2017 H.R. 848, Farm Regulatory Certainty Act

Client expense: $12,475 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service

H.R.1154, The Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (CVIDA) S. 168, The Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (CVIDA) HR 6182, Water Quality Improvement Act of 2016 H.J. Res 38, Stream Protection Rule CRA H.R. 465, Water Quality Improvement Act of 2017 H.R. 2510, Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2017 S.518, Small and Rural Community Clean Water Technical Assistance Act S. 692, Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act of 2017 H.R. 1971, Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act S.675, Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act H.R. 1068, Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 2017 S. 1695, Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act of 2017 H.R. 3906, Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act of 2017 S. 1700, Water Efficiency Improvement Act of 2017 H.R. 3248, Water Advanced Technologies for Efficient Resource Use (WATER Use) Act H.R. 953, Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act S.1137, Clean Safe Reliable Water Infrastructure Act H.R. 2510, Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2017 S. 1460, Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 H.R. 3387, Drinking Water System Improvement Act of 2017 H.R. 2328, Low-Income Sewer and Water Assistance Program Act of 2017 Senate Unnumbered, Low-Income Sewer and Water Assistance legislation S.2000, National Opportunity for Lead Exposure Accountability and Deterrence Act of 2017 S. 1996, Environmental Justice Act of 2017 S. 1966, Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act H.R. 2355, Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act Senate Unnumbered, Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2017 S. 2000, National Opportunity for Lead Exposure Accountability and Deterrence Act of 2017 Senate Unnumbered, Contaminant and Lead Electronic Accounting and Reporting Requirements for Drinking Water Act of 2017 Senate Unnumbered, Infrastructure Bill House Unnumbered, Infrastructure Bill Senate Unnumbered, WRDA Bill House Unnumbered, WRDA Bill

Confirmation of Joe Balash as Assistant Secretary for land and minerals management Confirmation of Tim Petty as Assistant Interior Secretary ComprehensiveInfrastructure (funding for natural resources, transportation, water resources) Funding for Everglades restoration projects through an emergency supplemental package S. XXX, H.R. XXX; Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) H.R. 2862; Wildfire Disaster Funding Act for a fire borrowing solution S. 1520, H.R. 2023; Modernization Recreational Fisheries Management Act Funding for Function 300 - Natural Resources and Environment H.R. 2936, Resilient Federal Forests Act and other active forest management provisions Executive Order 13778; Presidential Executive Order on Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the "Waters of the United States" Rule 2018 Farm Bill; S. 1966, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) 2018 Farm Bill; S. 2243, Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) Secretarial Order 3356; Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States Executive Order 13792; Presidential Executive Order on the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act

Client expense: $45,000 · Firm income: Not reported