Judge urges Norfolk-area NRD board to try resolving censure sanctions, lawsuit

Judge urges Norfolk-area NRD board to try resolving censure sanctions, lawsuit

LINCOLN — A legal fight over whether the Norfolk-area natural resources district went too far in punishing one of its board members for discussing a mistreatment complaint she had filed against a fellow board member reached a federal courtroom Friday.  U.S. District Judge John Gerrard(Courtesy of Harry Weddington) But closing…
Secretary Vilsack Highlights U.S. Agriculture’s Climate Leadership at COP28

Secretary Vilsack Highlights U.S. Agriculture’s Climate Leadership at COP28

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 8, 2023 – The United States’ leadership in climate-smart agriculture and forestry is taking center stage at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) as Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and other U.S. Department of Agriculture officials highlight the U.S. commitment to investing in innovative climate…
Congressman Flood Highlights Temporary Flexibility for Ag Relief Programs

Congressman Flood Highlights Temporary Flexibility for Ag Relief Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Mike Flood highlighted new temporary flexibility for two key relief programs for Nebraska ag producers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced changes to 2023 Notice of Loss Requirements for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).  “I appreciate the USDA’s…
Senator Marshall, Rep. Arrington Lead Letter Requesting New Emergency Relief Program

Senator Marshall, Rep. Arrington Lead Letter Requesting New Emergency Relief Program

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. led a letter with Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) expressing their concerns about the USDA’s requirements for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP).  USDA’s 2022 ERP requirements are misguided and losing sight of the relief program's intent…
Gov. Pillen joins letter calling for halt to Foreign land grabs

Gov. Pillen joins letter calling for halt to Foreign land grabs

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has joined 16 Republican governors in calling on President Joe Biden, the U.S. Congress, and other federal leaders to take necessary action protecting states from being targeted in land grabs by foreign, adversarial nations. While some states have passed legislation to restrict foreign land ownership,…
NDA is Now Accepting Applications for Resilient Food Systems Grants

NDA is Now Accepting Applications for Resilient Food Systems Grants

LINCOLN – Eligible applicants can now apply for grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program designed to help strengthen the state's food supply chain. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) will work in partnership with the USDA to award $2.5 million for equipment…
USDA’s Farm Income Forecast Shows a Drop in 2023 Income

USDA’s Farm Income Forecast Shows a Drop in 2023 Income

USDA’s latest Farm Income Forecast Report shows a significant drop between 2022 and 2023. Danny Munch, an AFBF economist, explained in Newsline that the picture is a little brighter than the August predictions, but not much.  “In the August reports, USDA forecasted that farm income from 2022 would drop 23 percent, a…