Fair & Competitive Markets in Farm Bill and Women in Agriculture Act
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Ranchers, foresters and others who use public lands are urging the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a proposed rule they fear would radically restrict activities like grazing and timber harvesting.
Those who hold permits on federal lands say they were blindsided by the BLM proposal that emphasizes conservation as the predominant land management priority.
The California Farm Bureau says BLM defines conservation so broadly it creates unnecessary conflict among public land users.
**The USDA and White House co-hosted a meeting to discuss competition priorities in the farm bill.
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew took part, saying the U.S. needs a farm bill that prioritizes fair and competitive markets.
Larew says, “Our Fairness for Farmers Campaign has sounded the alarm on monopolies, and this meeting is a sign our concerns are being heard by our decision-makers.
The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association also took part in the event.
**Lawmakers recently introduced the Women in Agriculture Act.
The legislation would establish a research priority for agriculture machinery and equipment designed to be used by women, and create a funding set aside for childcare facilities in rural areas.
The bill also creates a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison position at the USDA.
In 2019, women accounted for 26 percent of the farm labor workforce, a 19 percent increase since 2009.
