#AgriculturalSupport hashtag - Bluesky

Sen. Putnam urges extension of farmer-lender mediation as cases surge; bill referred to Higher Education Senate File 3583 would remove the sunset on Minnesota's farmer-lender mediation program and extend it five years; sponsors and the Minnesota Farmers Union said mediation requests have risen several-fold and the program resolves roughly 90% of cases. The committee referred the bill to the Higher Education Committee.

1 month ago

As Minnesota faces a surge in farmer-lender disputes, Senator Putnam advocates for a crucial bill that could save countless farms from financial ruin.

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#MN #CommunityMediation #FinancialStability #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaFarmers #AgriculturalSupport

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Citizen Portal News Washington

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1 month ago

WSDA outlines overtime-reimbursement grant for local farms; 24 operations awarded nearly $214,000 Katie Raines of the Washington State Department of Agriculture told the Senate Ag & Natural Resources Committee that a 2024 grant proviso reimbursed qualifying overtime wages (up to $20,000) to 24 eligible farms, awarding nearly $214,000 total and producing lessons on outreach and eligibility for future programs.

Washington State is stepping up for local farms, awarding nearly $214,000 to help reimburse overtime wages during peak harvest season!

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#WA #CitizenPortal #LocalFoodSystems #LaborEquity #AgriculturalSupport

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Citizen Portal News Washington

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1 month ago

WSDA describes one-time overtime reimbursement grants that covered 24 farms, highlights lessons for future programs At a work session, WSDA officials described a one-time 2024 proviso that reimbursed eligible Washington farms up to $20,000 for overtime wages; 24 farms received nearly $214,000 overall. WSDA said targeted outreach and streamlined applications reduced administrative barriers and that findings will inform future programs.

Washington farmers reaped the benefits of a new grant program, receiving nearly $214,000 to help cover overtime wages during peak harvest.

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#WA #LocalMarkets #LaborReform #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalSupport

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Citizen Portal News Georgia

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1 month ago

Committee approves tax deduction for Farmers Bridge Assistance payments House Bill 1159 would let farmers exclude payments received under a federal bridge assistance program from state taxable income. The committee passed the bill by voice vote after the sponsor explained the covered row and specialty crops and answered clarifying questions.

Georgia's Ways & Means Committee just passed a groundbreaking bill that allows farmers to keep more of their federal disaster relief payments by offering a state income-tax deduction!

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#GA #GeorgiaFarmers #CitizenPortal #DisasterRelief #AgriculturalSupport #TaxReform

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Rural Finance Authority seeks $50 million to keep low-cost loans flowing to farmers The governor's recommendation includes $50 million for the Rural Finance Authority to continue low‑interest loans for beginning farmers, disaster relief and farm improvements; RFA staff said loans must be secured by real estate and program demand exceeds remaining balances.

1 month ago

The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority is pushing for $50 million to sustain vital low-interest loans for beginning farmers—could this be the lifeline they need?

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#MN #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #MinnesotaFarmers #AgriculturalSupport #RuralFinance

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Senate committee advances two bills to shore up farmer‑lender mediation as mediations surge The Senate committee voted to extend the Farmer‑Lender Mediation Act and approved a related one‑time $150,000 staffing appropriation after testimony showing a sharp rise in mediation requests; supporters said the program helps farmers renegotiate debt and often avoids foreclosure or bankruptcy.

1 month ago

The Senate Committee has taken a crucial step to support struggling farmers by advancing bills that extend mediation options and boost staffing, amidst a dramatic surge in requests for help.

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#MN #CitizenPortal #DebtRelief #MinnesotaFarmers #AgriculturalSupport

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Citizen Portal News Georgia

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1 month ago

Georgia food banks seek $5 million to expand purchase program for surplus Georgia-grown produce Feeding Georgia and the Atlanta Community Food Bank urged the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committee to provide $5 million to expand a Farm-to-Food-Bank purchase program, citing rising demand (260,000 households monthly) and shrinking federal support for similar programs.

Georgia food banks are facing skyrocketing demand, serving 70% more households each month, and are now asking for $5 million to expand their program connecting surplus produce to those in need.

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#GA #CommunityNutrition #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaFoodBanks #AgriculturalSupport

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NOFA Vermont seeks $500,000 to sustain Crop Cash programs that boost farmers and SNAP recipients NOFA Vermont urged the committee to continue state support for Crop Cash, Crop Cash Plus and FarmShare programs, asking for $500,000 in ongoing funding to keep incentives flowing to farmers and improve low-income consumers’ access to local markets after the November SNAP disruptions.

1 month ago

Vermont is at a crossroads: will the state invest $500,000 to sustain vital programs that connect low-income families with local farmers and strengthen the economy?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #AgriculturalSupport #LocalEconomy #VermontFoodAccess

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Citizen Portal News California

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2 months ago

GSA defers purchase of groundwater accounting platform as growers push for more outreach; approves engineering contracts The committee voted to approve a one‑year and a three‑year engineering contract for reporting and allocation support while deferring a decision on a county accounting platform amid mixed grower survey results and concerns from small operators.

Madera County's GSA committee has approved significant engineering contracts for groundwater reporting while putting a hold on a costly accounting platform, sparking debates among local growers.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalSupport #WaterManagement

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Vinetur Global

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2 months ago

French Government Launches €130 Million Vine Removal Program for Struggling Winegrowers Wine producers can apply for up to €4,000 per hectare to permanently uproot vineyards as sector faces economic crisis

French Government Launches €130 Million Vine Removal Program for Struggling Winegrowers #WineIndustry #VineRemoval #FrenchWine #Winegrowers #AgriculturalSupport

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Committee members discuss funding options and partnerships after House bill reference Committee members raised a House-passed measure referred to as "69," clarified it contains no appropriation in the members' view, and discussed partnering with agencies or grant programs to provide immediate farmer relief; members agreed to follow up with the bill sponsor and agency staff.

2 months ago

Vermont committee members are searching for urgent funding solutions to support struggling farmers after a recent bill fell short—what's next for farmer relief?

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#VT #LegislativePartnerships #AgriculturalSupport #FundingOptions #VermontFarmers #CitizenPortal

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Members press for farm relief after drought; S.60 unfunded last session Lawmakers said the S.60 farm relief bill received no funding last session and urged the committee to prioritize drought and flood relief this year, citing concrete impacts on dairy, cattle and vegetable producers.

2 months ago

Vermont lawmakers are pushing hard for urgent drought and flood relief after last year's critical S.60 farm relief bill went unfunded, highlighting the devastating impact on local producers.

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#VT #AgriculturalSupport #VermontFarmers #CitizenPortal #DroughtRelief #FloodResilience

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Agency survey: preliminary results show ~79,000 acres impacted and $15.9 million in estimated drought losses Agency staff reported preliminary results from a farm drought survey covering 200 responses: about 79,000 acres impacted, an estimated $15.9 million in losses reported by respondents, with many farms seeking financial assistance and facing feed shortages.

2 months ago

Vermont farms are facing staggering drought losses, with nearly 79,000 acres affected and a desperate need for financial aid totaling around $15.9 million.

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#VT #VermontFarms #FinancialAssistance #DroughtResponse #AgriculturalSupport #CitizenPortal

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NOFA Vermont asks legislature for $500,000 to sustain market incentives, urges support for S.60 NOFA Vermont told the Appropriations Committee it needs $500,000 in ongoing funding to sustain PropCash/Crop Cash, Crop Cash Plus and FarmShare, citing 2025 program impacts and limits of federal aid; the group also asked continued support for S.60, a Farm and Forestry Operations Security Fund.

2 months ago

NOFA Vermont is urging the legislature to secure $500,000 in ongoing funding to bolster vital food-security programs that connect low-income families with fresh, local produce.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #SNAPIncentives #AgriculturalSupport #VermontFoodSecurity #LocalFoodAccess

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Citizen Portal News Iowa

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3 months ago

Middle Cedar Watershed group briefs Benton County on grants, coordinator hire and projects Representatives from the Middle Cedar Watershed Management Authority updated the board on federal and state grants, a new farmer-to-farmer grant, planned listening sessions for small-scale growers across ten counties, and the planned hiring of a watershed coordinator funded in part by local contributions.

Benton County is stepping up to support local farmers with new grants and initiatives aimed at improving water quality and resilience in our communities!

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#BentonCounty #IA #WaterQuality #AgriculturalSupport #BentonCountyWatershed #CitizenPortal #CommunityResilience

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Citizen Portal News California

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4 months ago

Board approves broad permitting reforms aimed at faster, clearer approvals for farmers and businesses Supervisors Lavere and Gurel won unanimous approval for a multi‑point package to modernize zoning and permitting: it moves some discretionary approvals to ministerial review, creates preapproved plans, expands a permit navigator role and streamlines CEQA consultant access.

Ventura County is shaking up the permitting process to cut delays and boost local projects — a game changer for farmers and businesses!

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#VenturaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #BusinessDevelopment #PermittingReform #AgriculturalSupport

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Citizen Portal News Colorado

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6 months ago

Congressman Jeff Hurd's Office Addresses Funding and Agricultural Concerns in Southern Colorado Kathy Garcia updates on federal funding and wildfire mitigation grants for agricultural areas.

Huerfano County is taking bold steps to secure federal funding and tackle wildfire risks, but local farmers are raising urgent concerns about drought and support!

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#HuerfanoCounty #CO #CitizenPortal #FederalFunding #AgriculturalSupport #WildfireMitigation

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Citizen Portal News Utah

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7 months ago

Council Members Hanson and Kendrick Lead Prayer for Valley's Weather Needs Council members express gratitude for recent rain and seek beneficial weather patterns.

Richfield City Council members express gratitude for the recent rain and emphasize its crucial role in supporting local agriculture and water supply.

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#UT #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalSupport #WaterResourceManagement #EnvironmentalSustainability

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