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Debt ceiling deal expands SNAP—slightly

- Analysis
Now that the debt ceiling deal negotiated between President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been ratified in the Senate, it’s of interest to look at what it will and will not do to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP; aka food stamps).

Frey Farms CEO joins National Ag Campaign Advisory Council

- General News
Sarah Frey, Founder and CEO of Frey Farms, and a best-selling author, has been appointed a member of U.S. Representative, and House Committee on Agriculture Chair, Glenn “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA) National Agriculture Campaign Advisory Council (NCAC). 

New Congressional measure to protect Florida citrus acreage

- General News
Florida representatives in both houses of Congress have introduced a bipartisan measure that would amend the federal Conservation Reserve Program to include the state’s citrus acreage, which has suffered from a number of blows from weather, disease, and urbanization in recent years.

New AEWR rates challenged in Congress

- Analysis
The adverse effect wage rates (AEWR) recently issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) are facing a legislative challenge.

New law proposed for rail safety

- Analysis
The disastrous derailment of a 150-car freight train in East Palestine, OH, on February 3 has led to a number of consequences. As it should.

Oversight sought on foreign ag land ownership

- Analysis
Is foreign ownership of real estate a security concern for the United States? After all, no matter who owns it, land can’t be moved.

IFPA meets with House Ag Committee chairman on farm bill

- General News
Following meetings last week with new members of the 118th Congress, International Fresh Produce Association government relations staff and a small group of IFPA members met with incoming House Agriculture Committee Chair Representative GT Thompson (R-PA) and other key House leaders at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on January 13.

USApple criticizes Congress for lack of action on ag labor

- General News
Statement by Jim Bair, President & CEO of U.S. Apple Association, December 22, 2022.

Week in Review December 22, 2022

- Analysis
Greg and Pamela lament the lack of progress on labor reform from Congress this week, but there's plenty to celebrate this Christmas edition, such as college football bowl games and pickled strawberry special deliveries.

A sad Christmas for farm labor

- Analysis
The produce industry did not get what it wanted for Christmas.