-AFT, NACD, NSAC and NWF
WASHINGTON – Today, April 8, 70 leading agriculture, conservation and wildlife groups delivered a letter to Congress requesting robust funding for conservation programs and technical assistance in fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations.
In the letter, American Farmland Trust, the National Association of Conservation Districts, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the National Wildlife Federation and other signatories called upon House and Senate appropriators to provide needed robust increases to discretionary United States Department of Agriculture conservation funding and reject any cuts to farm bill conservation programs through the FY22 appropriations process.
“As Congress and USDA continue to increase focus on climate change and the opportunities that agriculture and forestry can provide to sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build resilience, funding for conservation support is more important now than ever,” the coal
Jeroen and Traci van der Ploeg
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Jeroen and Traci van der Ploeg of Clovis, who raise wheat, corn, and beef cattle and run a dairy operation, are among the finalists for the National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards program. The van der Ploegs have diversified their farm by incorporating a milk and yogurt company as well as a specialty shop to direct market their products.
Eight finalist individuals and couples, including the van der Ploegs, have been selected. The four final winners will be announced at the 2022 NOYF Awards Congress.
The program is the oldest farmer recognition in the nation, and selected its first group of winners in 1955. The program is sponsored by John Deere, administered by the Outstanding Farmers of America, and supported by the U.S. Jaycees, the National Association of Conservation Districts, and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.
Krysta Harden named USDEC president and CEO Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) have promoted Krysta Harden from chief operating officer to president and CEO of USDEC.
Harden was named USDEC COO in May 2020. During that time, she continued her role as executive vice-president of global environmental strategy for DMI, which manages the national dairy checkoff for 34,000 dairy farmers. Harden succeeds former USDEC president and CEO Tom Vilsack, who is now secretary of agriculture in the Biden administration.
Harden becomes only the third president and CEO to lead USDEC since its founding by DMI in 1995 and is its first female chief executive. In her new role, Harden will leverage a strong background within agriculture, sustainability, and food policy in fulfilling USDEC’s mission to promote dairy exports, and enrich the well-being of people, communities, and the planet.
The following ag leaders voice their support for the bill:
Darin Von Ruden, Wisconsin Farmers Union president. “Rising average temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, changing growing seasons, and increasingly frequent and severe weather events are making it more difficult to grow food, feed, fuel and fiber. The effects of climate change are becoming clear across rural America, and the past few springs have been especially challenging for family farmers and ranchers. In many areas across Wisconsin, it has been too wet to put seeds in the ground, forcing many farmers to rely on prevented planting insurance coverage to make ends meet.