New US economic stimulus bill allocates $4 billion in debt relief for farmers of color

Socially disadvantaged farmers including those in the hemp industry are in line for new debt-relief funds in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan of 2021. The legislation, which passed in the U.S. Senate Saturday and awaits changes and a final vote in the House, directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make payments to Black… Continue reading New US economic stimulus bill allocates $4 billion in debt relief for farmers of color

Tom Vilsack confirmed in Senate as new US Secretary of Agriculture

Three weeks after clearing his Senate agriculture committee hearing, the full Senate voted 92-7 Tuesday to confirm Tom Vilsack as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack, an Iowan, served in the same role for all eight years of the Obama administration, and oversaw the USDA during passage and implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill, which… Continue reading Tom Vilsack confirmed in Senate as new US Secretary of Agriculture