Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act

The Supporting Underserved and Strengthening Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity Now and for the Future (SUSTAIN) 340B Act draft legislation from 118th Congress - all provisions. H.R. 3514 & S. 1816 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Sections 71115, 71116, and 71119 - all provisions.

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

The Supporting Underserved and Strengthening Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity Now and for the Future (SUSTAIN) 340B Act draft legislation from 118th Congress - all provisions. H.R. 3514 & S. 1816 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 - all provisions. H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act: All provisions of sections 71115, 71116, and 71119.

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R. 3514--A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans--Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage S. 1816--To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans--Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits Transparency Act--Improving Supplemental Benefits for MA beneficiaries Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act--Supplemental Benefits for chronically Ill enrollees Gold Card Act of 2023--Exemptions to Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage S.1105--No Unreasonable Payments, Coding, or Diagnoses for the Elderly (No UPCODE) Act--An act to improve the way Medicare Advantage plans assess patients health risks and reduce overpayments for care. Issues related to data collection and sharing among health plans, providers, and community-based organizations issues In-home Heath Risk Assessments issues Issues related to mental and behavioral health issues in Medicare Advantage Rural Network Adequacy Issues

Client expense: $630,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Discuss with Congressional staff and HHS staff support for Medicare GME expansion and changes to GME program: the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, the Pathway to Practice Act of 2021, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act; additional GME slots in CAA, 2021 and CAA, 2023; Rural Residency Planning and Development Act; concerns on Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act; Senate Finance Committee proposals to increase GME slots. Discuss with Congressional staff opposition to Medicaid proposals in H.R.1: work requirements as a condition of coverage, changes to state-directed payments, reductions to Federal matching funds, reductions to the safe harbor threshold for provider taxes, sunsetting uniform tax waivers, rescission of Medicaid Eligibility rule and Medicaid/CHIP Access rule, reductions to retroactive coverage, reduction of reasonable opportunity window. Discuss technical amendment to CAA, 2021, Sec. 131 pertaining to Medicare GME with Congressional staff. Discuss with Congressional staff distribution methodology for Medicare GME slots created in the CAA, 2021. Discuss expiring COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Medicare flexibilities with Congressional staff and HHS staff and support legislative proposals to extend PHE telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home Waiver. Support extension of Medicare Dependent Hospital and Low-Volume Adjustment programs. Discuss opposition to Medicare site-neutral payment policies with Congressional staff. Oppose changes to NPIs for hospital outpatient departments (118th Congress: H.R. 7623, H.R. 4509, H.R. 7623 as amended, H.R. 4822). Discuss FY 2024 IPPS comments with Congressional, HHS staff: to increase payment update to hospitals, Transforming Episodic Accountability Model, AHEAD Model, and CAA, 2023 Sec 4122 GME slot distribution methodology. Discuss proposals that stabilize long-term care and post-acute care providers: establish a temporary per diem Medicare payment to ease capacity issues and address financial challenges from slow discharges (support), make permanent three-day hospital stay waiver (support) and other COVID-19 PHE regulatory flexibilities. Support certain changes to Medicaid DSH payments: support two-year elimination of Medicaid DSH cut scheduled for January 1, 2025; support Save Our Safety Net Hospitals Act to restore pre-CAA, 2021 DSH cap calculation methodology and include dual-eligible patients in state DSH cap calculation. Discuss Medicaid waiver with Congressional staff and HHS. Discuss CMMI initiatives on global budgets and primary care in NYS Medicaid waiver. Discuss Medicaid IMD exclusion policies with Congressional staff. Support legislation to increase Medicaid payment rates for labor and delivery services for certain hospitals (118th Congress: S.5236). Oppose CMS final rule to establish minimum nurse staffing in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified long-term care facilities (89 FR 40876) and support legislative efforts to repeal rule. Support Medicare Advantage prior authorization reforms - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514/S. 1816). Discuss wage index issues with Congressional staff: H.R. 8561 to address MA local area growth under projection, FY 2025 IPPS/LTCH interim final rule, indirect medical education (IME) payments to hospitals. Meet with CMS leadership to discuss Medicare and Medicaid issues: prior authorization and MA insurance denials, concerns on mandatory participation for AHEAD and TEAM models, Medicare support for health care workforce; support for telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver extension. Discuss Medicare wage index issues with CMS. Discuss Medicaid Section 1332 waiver with Congressional staff. Urge delayed enforcement of CMS final rule prohibiting nurses from performing glucose tests using high-complexity devices in point-of-care situations.

FARM BILL: - Asked House and Senate Members to support S.5335, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 and H.R.8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act otherwise known as farm bill. - Asked PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for their legislator to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to Prop 12. - Worked with AFBF on securing votes for farm bill by communicating how conversations went during meetings with legislators and/or staff. - Met with PA delegation's offices to discuss farm bill and a legislative fix to Prop 12. Discussed need to be passed on time and Farm Bureau priorities. Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - S.5321, 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.4168/H.R.4838, 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.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.980/H.R.3755, 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. - S.1867/H.R.3922, 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. - S.1837/H.R.3867, 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.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.2458/H.R.3904, 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.1400/H.R.3036, 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.2614/H.R.8488, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. - H.R.4856, 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. ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING: - S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - S.2371/H.R.3139, 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. - S.5101, the Farmer Driven Conservation Outcomes Act, which would authorize USDA to measure, assess, and report on the outcomes associated with its conservation programs. - S.4219/H.R.8210, the Future Farmers and Ranchers of Tomorrow Act, which would revise USDAs qualified beginning farmer or rancher definition to allow non-related beginning farmers and ranchers in joint entities to be eligible for FSA loans. - S.1842/H.R.6687, 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.2631/H.R.3424, 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.1624, 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. OTHER: - Reviewed FWS' proposal to list the Monarch Butterfly as an endangered species (Docket #: FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137-0001). Expressed concerns to legislators over the impact this will have on agriculture. Worked with PFB members to comply information for comments. - Sent election congrats letters to PA House and Senate Members and started the conversation of 119th Congressional priorities. - Reviewed the following rulemakings from USDA and shared AFBF's comments with PA's delegation for: Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0046); Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-22-0046); Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0044); and Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity under the Packers and Stockyards Act (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0045). - Advocacy work on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). Reviewed USDA's proposed final decision for the FMMOs (Docket #: AMS-DA-23-0031) and emailed PA House and Senate Members with PFB's position to not take a stand to allow for a fair referendum process. Specifically, supported a switchback either by USDA or Congress for the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs. - Advocacy work on increasing the availability and affordability of rural childcare. - Reviewed Chevron Deference case to determine the impact it will have on ag. Supported SCOTUS' decision. Signed onto coalition letter to President Biden to urge suspension of regulatory activity until they review the Loper decision.

FARM BILL: - Asked House Members to support H.R.8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act otherwise known as farm bill. - Encouraged Senate Members to ask Chairwoman Stabenow to release text. - Listened to Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman speak at an AFBF conference on the status of farm bill in the Senate and the strategy moving forward. - Addressed concerns over Title IV - Nutrition - of H.R. 8467 otherwise known as farm bill. - Asked PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for their legislator to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to Prop 12. - Worked with AFBF on securing votes for farm bill by communicating how conversations went during meetings with legislators and/or staff. - Met with PA delegation's offices to discuss farm bill and a legislative fix to Prop 12. Discussed need to be passed on time and Farm Bureau priorities. Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12. - Signed onto coalition letter supporting farm bill in August. - Asked PA House Republican delegation to sign onto Dear Colleague letter to House Leadership asking them to bring farm bill to the floor. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - No bill # yet, 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.4168/H.R.4838, 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.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.980/H.R.3755, 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. - S.1867/H.R.3922, 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. - S.1837/H.R.3867, 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.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.2458/H.R.3904, 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.1400/H.R.3036, 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.2614/H.R.8488, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. - H.R.4856, 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. ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING: - S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - S.2371/H.R.3139, 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. - S.5101, the Farmer Driven Conservation Outcomes Act, which would authorize USDA to measure, assess, and report on the outcomes associated with its conservation programs. - S.4219/H.R.8210, the Future Farmers and Ranchers of Tomorrow Act, which would revise USDAs qualified beginning farmer or rancher definition to allow non-related beginning farmers and ranchers in joint entities to be eligible for FSA loans. - S.1842/H.R.6687, 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.2631/H.R.3424, 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.1624, 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. OTHER: - Reviewed the following rulemakings from USDA: Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0046); Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-22-0046); Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0044); and Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity under the Packers and Stockyards Act (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0045). - Advocacy work on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). Reviewed USDA's Recommended Decision for the FMMOs (Docket #: AMS-DA-23-0031). Specifically, supported a switchback either by USDA or Congress for the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs. - Reviewed Chevron Deference case to determine the impact it will have on ag. Supported SCOTUS' decision. Signed onto coalition letter to President Biden to urge suspension of regulatory activity until they review the Loper decision. - Emailed Meuser's office that PFB supports Land O Lakes conservation project. - Reviewed Secretary Vilsack's response letter to Rep. Deluzio's meat processing consolidation letter as a result of a roundtable with Beaver/Lawrence County FB.

FARM BILL: - Asked House Members to support H.R.8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act otherwise known as farm bill. - Monitored, tracked, and gave positions when asked on amendments during the markup of H.R.8467 on May 23. - Encouraged Senate Members to ask Chairwoman Stabenow to release text. - Listened to Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman speak at an AFBF conference on the status of farm bill in the Senate and the strategy moving forward. - Signed onto coalition letter that supported the sugar program changes in H.R.8467 otherwise known as farm bill. - Addressed concerns over Title IV - Nutrition - of H.R. 8467 otherwise known as farm bill. - Encouraged PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for Congress to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to Prop 12. - Worked with AFBF on securing votes for farm bill by communicating how conversations went during meetings with legislators and/or staff. - President Hoffman met with PA delegation on May 8 primarily talking about farm bill and to include a legislative fix to Prop 12. Discussed need to be passed on time and Farm Bureau priorities. Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12. - Bailey Fisher also met with legislator's staff throughout the quarter to discuss farm bill priorities and Prop 12. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - S.4168/H.R.4838, 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.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.980/H.R.3755, 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. - S.1867/H.R.3922, 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. - S.1837/H.R.3867, 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.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.2458/H.R.3904, 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.1400/H.R.3036, 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.2614/H.R.8488, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. - H.R.4856, 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. ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING: - S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - S.4219/H.R.8210, the Future Farmers and Ranchers of Tomorrow Act, which would revise USDAs qualified beginning farmer or rancher definition to allow non-related beginning farmers and ranchers in joint entities to be eligible for FSA loans. - S.1842/H.R.6687, 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.2631/H.R.3424, 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.1624, 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. OTHER: - Attended Representative Deluzio's agricultural roundtable to discuss PFB priorities (farm bill, Prop 12, ag labor reform, whole milk in schools, etc.) - Attended Representative Wild's agricultural roundtable to discuss PFB priorities (farm bill, Prop 12, ag labor reform, whole milk in schools, etc.) - Reviewed the following rulemakings from USDA: Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0046); Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-22-0046); Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0044); and Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity under the Packers and Stockyards Act (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0045). - Emailed Representative Meuser's office that PFB is supportive of a Congressional letter to urge USDA to weigh the interests of our mushroom industry very heavily in their consideration of new organics standards. - Had discussions with AFBF about taking a position on the Organic Imports Verification Act. The bill has yet to be introduced. - Emailed letter to RMA asking for PA to have the opportunity for double crop soybean insurance. - Emailed Representative Kelly's office that PFB is neutral on a bill that would help producers doing vertical farming due to the absence of policy. - Advocacy work on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). Specifically, supported a switchback either by USDA or Congress for the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs.

FARM BILL: - Had several conversations with PA House and Senate Members on farm bill. - Discussed need to be passed on time, supporting a one-year extension, Farm Bureau priorities. - Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. - Encouraged PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for Congress to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to prop 12. - President Hoffman met with PA delegation on 2/6, 2/7, and 2/8 primarily talking about farm bill and to include a legislative fix to prop 12. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.980/H.R.3755, 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. - S.1867/H.R.3922, 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. - S.1837/H.R.3867, 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.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.2458/H.R.3904, 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.1400/H.R.3036, 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.2614, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. - H.R.4856, 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. ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING: - S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - S.1842/H.R.6687, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives. - Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau remains neutral on S.2631/H.R.3424, 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. - Monitored H.R.1624, 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. OTHER: - Drafted letter to RMA asking for PA to have the opportunity for double crop soybean insurance. - Signed onto letter to USDA asking for an emergency authorization to return the higher of for Class I milk pricing.

Had several conversations with PA House and Senate Members on the 2023 Farm Bill. Discussed need to be passed on time, supporting a one-year extension, 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. 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) and Chrissy Houlahan (R-PA). 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 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) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR). 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 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) and Mike Kelly (R-PA). 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. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support 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) and Dan Meuser (R-PA). This bill would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD) and Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Angie Craig (D-MN). This bill 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. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representatives James Baird (R-IN) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). This bill 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. Asked PA Senate Members to support S.2614, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act by Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). This bill would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. Asked PA House and Senate Members to oppose S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ). This bill would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau remains neutral on S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-MS) and Ann Kuster (D-NH). This bill would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. Asked PA House Members to support and co-sponsor H.R.4856, the GusNIP Expansion Act by Representatives Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Daniel Kildee (D-MI). This bill 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. Monitored H.R.1624, the Puppy Protection Act by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and James McGovern (D-MA). Worked on testimony for PFB at USDA's federal milk marketing orders hearing. Had discussions with AFBF on what to include in PFB's testimony for the federal milk marketing orders. Conducted Hill visits with President Hoffman on 10/24, 10/25, 12/11, and 12/14 primarily talking about farm bill and proposition 12. President Hoffman met with Representative "GT" Thompson and Region 3 EPA Administrator on 12/21 to discuss current environmental issues impacting agriculture.

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. Testified at a federal farm bill hearing hosted by PA House and Senate Ag. Chairman Thompson and Ag Committee staff were present to hear PFB's farm bill asks. Listened to Chairman Thompson's Farm Bill Listening Session at the Allentown Fair. Op-ed was published written by President Hoffman on nutrition access in farm bill. 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) and Chrissy Houlahan (R-PA). 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 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) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR). 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 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) and Mike Kelly (R-PA). 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. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support 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) and Dan Meuser (R-PA). This bill would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Nick Langworthy (R-NY). 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 S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD) and Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Angie Craig (D-MN). This bill 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. Signed onto letter supporting S.2458/H.R.3904. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representatives James Baird (R-IN) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). This bill 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. Asked PA Senate Members to support S.2614, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act by Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). This bill would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. Signed onto letter supporting S.2614. Asked PA House and Senate Members to oppose S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ). This bill would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau remains neutral on S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-MS) and Ann Kuster (D-NH). This bill would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau remains neutral on S.907/H.R.2814, the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY) and Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Jared Golden (D-ME). This bill would exempt from federal inspection requirements animals and meats that are slaughtered and prepared at custom animal slaughter facilities for distribution within the state. Under current law, a custom slaughter exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered exclusively for personal, household, guest, or employee uses. Worked on testimony for PFB at USDA's federal milk marketing orders hearing. Had discussions with AFBF on what to include in PFB's testimony for the federal milk marketing orders. Conducted Hill visits with President Hoffman the week of July 10th, primarily talking about farm bill. Conducted a fly-in visit on September 13 and 14th with PFB members to visits with their legislators and advocate for PFB's priorities: farm bill, dairy, waters of the U.S., ag labor, PFAS, and sustainability. Asked PA House Members to sign onto Representative Jackson's letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding USDA's delay in distributing the disaster assistance funds that were appropriated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2022 crop losses.

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.