farm bill

Farm Bill Passes House Committee

Scott Stuntz — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:52:45 +0000

The house agriculture committee and the Senate have both passed versions of a new five year farm bill. Congress passed a 9 month extension to the current farm bill last year, but the he lack of long term farm bill is affecting conservation programs.

Wetland Restoration Program Funding in Question

Scott Stuntz — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:37:25 +0000

The future remains uncertain for a federal conservation program that helps restore wetlands across the Midwest. The Wetlands Reserve Program provides money to farmers who take former wetlands out of production and restore them.

Schock Says Fiscal Cliff Talks May Solve Farm Bill

Scott Stuntz — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 22:20:27 +0000

A western Illinois Congressman thinks the President’s recent proposal to solve the fiscal cliff is not serious.

Republican Aaron Schock said negotiations are moving forward, but he believes the President needs to agree to deeper spending cuts.

In The Tri States

Rich Egger — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 22:05:33 +0000

A look back at the top stories and features from the Tri States Public Radio news department from September 2012.

Reporter Jason Parrott told us about plans to build a $1.4 billion fertilizer plant in Lee County. He also reported on pending lay-offs at one of the county’s largest employers.

During the month, Colchester received some good news from the USDA, Lee County made plans to add beds to its jail, and a historic structure in Macomb received a national designation.

Farm Bill in Limbo

Rich Egger — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:14:16 +0000

Congress has less than two weeks to act before the current farm bill expires.

Dozens of federal programs are included in the bill -- everything from crop insurance to food aid for the poor.

Spending on food aid is one of the reasons that House Republican leaders have refused to call the measure for a vote. U-S Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is among many farm-state politicians of both parties who have been critical of that decision.

The Wide-Ranging Impact of the US Farm Bill

Bill Knight — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:59:59 +0000

There’s more than one drought choking the country. On Capitol Hill, there’s a drought of ideas – and compassion – about farmers, rural America and the needy.

Harkin/Grassley Visit Lee County

Jason Parrott — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 02:55:52 +0000

Two of Iowa’s political heavyweights spent some time in Lee County this week. They used separate events to tout one of the state’s growing industries.

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, visits Lee County at least once a year as part of his annual 99-county tour of the state.

His counterpart, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin’s, D-Iowa, visits are much more sporadic, which made their visits occurring at the same time rather unique.

SENATOR HARKIN VISITS FARM

Farmers Face Drought, Regulations

Jason Parrott — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:58:35 +0000

Steve Newberry of rural Argyle has been farming all of his life. His farm is located down a winding, gravel road just a couple miles west of the Avenue of the Saints in Lee County.

Newberry says his farm has a little bit of everything, including about 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans, 150 head of cattle, and about 7,000 hogs split between two buildings.

He says his passion for farming starts with his love of cattle, likening it to someone who loves to go fishing.

Durbin Says New Bills Reflect Budget Realities

James Lenz — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:45:24 +0000

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois said a new farm bill will have to cost less and return to its primary goal of helping farmers during tough times.

He calls the current payment system ”lopsided.”

Durbin said, “The direct payment system is paying many farmers a lot of federal money at a time when prices were very, very high. We're going to have to change that and farmers know it.”

He is confident the new bill will save money and still protect farmers.