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Farmers of all stripes continue to wait for an updated Farm Bill. President Trump’s budget reconciliation bill contained some helpful provisions, but Northwest Horticultural Council Vice President Riley Bushue says it falls short of full Farm Bill coverage.
“We were pleased to see increased funding for market access programs and market development programs overseas. That’s been a long-running priority for us. Bolstering specialty crop research and some of those other priorities are important because it’s a valuable asset for growers, especially on the trade side. Research is a perennial thing, so we need to continue those sorts of projects, and the work is important for growers.”
Bushue expressed optimism a Farm Bill could be passed as early as this fall, “We’re involved in those conversations, and we’ll see where it goes. Hopefully, Congress can kind of finish it out.”
WASHINGTON (August 4, 2025) – Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement on the confirmation of Luke Lindberg to serve as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA.
“Trade has been front and center in this administration, and with the sheer volume of deals in progress, it’s critical to have a Senate confirmed official leading trade and foreign agricultural affairs for USDA. NCBA is thrilled to see Luke Lindberg confirmed to this post. Lindberg has spent his career expanding trade opportunities for American businesses and fixing unfair trade deals. We look forward to working with him to secure even more trade wins for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.”
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden argued dramatically last week for closing USDA buildings and moving staff out of the national capital region. Vaden told ag senators that Secretary Rollins is planning to move just 2-and-a-half percent of USDA’s staff or 26-hundred people to five hubs outside the DC area, where 90-percent already work.
As for buildings, Vaden noted, “USDA has a total of 4,754 facilities at which its employees report to work every day. The secretary’s proposal calls for closing exactly four of those 4,754 places of employment.” Vaden argued none of USDA’s owned or leased buildings in the DC area meet the 60-percent occupancy rate Congress required this year in the “Use It Act”
According to a Farm Credit System report today, combined net income was stable at $1.94 billion for Q2 2025 and $3.90 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared with net income of $1.93 billion and $3.92 billion for the same periods last year.
“The System delivered solid earnings for the quarter and first six months of 2025,” remarked Tracey McCabe, President and CEO of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. “The System’s strong balance sheet and robust capital levels position it to serve our member borrowers should challenges around trade and geopolitical conditions intensify in the months to come.”
TSC rolls up in support of farmers… Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, today announced its participation as a title sponsor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2025 Great American Farmers Market, which celebrates the nation’s farmers, ranchers and producers in anticipation of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. The market began on Sunday and will run through Friday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
As part of the celebration, Tractor Supply will host a booth alongside the market’s farmers and vendors, featuring interactive activities that reflect the Company’s values and rural heritage. Throughout the week, the booth will welcome FFA and 4-H students, as well as two beloved Highland cows from Black Rock Farm in Frederick County, Maryland.
“We’re honored to bring Life Out Here to the heart of our nation’s capital and celebrate the spirit of American agriculture,” said Hal Lawton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Supply. “For us, this market is more than an event--it’s a tribute to the hard work, heritage and heart of those who grow, raise and live Life Out Here. We’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this special event alongside the USDA.” -source: Tractor Supply Co. news release