From Agri-Pulse EPA violated restrictions on using appropriations for grassroots lobbying when it employed social media to promote the proposed Clean Water Rule, the Government Accountability Office said in a legal opinion Application of the rule, also known as “WOTUS” for “waters of the United States,” has been stayed by federal courts, and language prohibiting the rule’s implementation has become an ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide if landowners can legally challenge whether their properties are subject to the federal Clean Water Act. The nation’s highest court will review a case about whether a landowner can fight in court against a “jurisdictional determination” by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that a property is subject ... Read More »

From Agri-Pulse USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced today that as of Jan. 1, it will require developers of genetically engineered wheat varieties to apply for permits before conducting field trials. The agency told stakeholders its decision to employ a “more stringent permit process” – over the current notification process – “will provide added protection that GE wheat ... Read More »

From Agri-Pulse Key farm and industry stakeholders applauded the House’s Thursday passage of a bill to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Board (STB) – the federal railroad regulatory agency. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, introduced the bill (S 808) to “help address the uncertainty encountered by businesses and agriculture producers who are ... Read More »

From Agri-Pulse With chances for a year-end deal on GMO labeling all but gone, the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee said it would be a top priority early next year.   “I think it will be the first thing we have to work on in January,” Debbie Stabenow of Michigan told Agri-Pulse on recently. Read the rest of the story ... Read More »

From Agri-Pulse USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) says its plan to have a new and improved Conservation Stewardship Program up and running by January has been delayed. Now, the CSP’s new features won’t be fully rolled out until the beginning of 2017. Mark Rose, the acting deputy chief of programs with NRCS, told Agri-Pulse Tuesday that implementation of the CSP upgrades ... Read More »

From the Association of Washington Business Last week, shortly before he took off for Paris and the global climate summit, Gov. Jay Inslee met with members of AWB’s Executive Committee. The meeting provided an opportunity for a frank and informal discussion that might have touched on a half dozen or more issues, but it was clear that both the governor and ... Read More »

WAWG’s Olympia Days will be held January 20-22. Please sign up today by calling the WAWG office at 509-659-0610. County farmer representation is instrumental in relaying our message over in Olympia. The Spokane Ag Expo will be held February 2-4, 2016. If you are interested in filling a 2 hour shift at the WAWG booth, please contact the office at 509-659-0610. A pass to the Expo and ... Read More »

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that producers who chose coverage from the safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, can begin visiting FSA county offices starting Dec. 7, 2015, to sign contracts to enroll in ... Read More »

More than 500 wheat growers, industry representatives and stakeholders gathered Nov. 11-14 at the Davenport Grand Hotel in downtown Spokane, Wash., to take care of business, recognize industry leaders and hear updates on state and national issues. Attendees heard from motivational speaker Jolene Brown on the need for learning, growing and advocating in family businesses. Jack Bobo, senior vice president ... Read More »