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Thanks for reading The Pulse!!

New report shows even clean energy projects are dying in regulatory nightmares
The Daily Caller
While the administration has repeatedly pushed for the development of a renewable energy industry, its regulatory process is strangling clean energy projects before they even get off the ground.

The Foodie Takeover of Environmentalism
The American
In recent years, the locavore, foodie lifestyle has transmogrified from what it obviously is—a luxury—into a quasi-spiritual ideology resembling late-stage environmentalism.

U.S. Property Rights Protections Continue to Decline
National Center for Policy Analysis
According to the 2011 International Property Rights Index, overall the United States declined to 18th place in the world (from 16th in 2010 and 14th in 2007), losing out to top-ranked Finland.

This week the House of Representatives passed HB 1289 – ‘State Historic Society Water Supply Structures’, sponsored by Rep. Sonnenberg and Sen. Hodge. The bill requires that the Historic Preservation society to provide notice to and obtain the consent of every person having a property interest, including an interest in water, in a water supply structure prior to nominating the structure for inclusion in either the state or the national register. If, within 120 days after receiving the notice, such a person objects to the inclusion, the society is prohibited from proceeding with the nomination. The bill also requires the society to obtain the approval of the state engineer in the division of water resources before requesting approval from the keeper of a document describing the historical significance of a water supply structure.  The reason this bill is coming forward is due to a recent State ditch document that the Historical Preservation Society released with pictures and information on water structures. There is much concern with the ‘fear’ of any such structures being designated as historical preservation with little to no input from the ditch owners or water users. If someone needed to upgrade or make changes to a water supply structure that was registered with the historic preservation society that would be extremely difficult amount of paperwork in order to do that and in some cases impossible to accomplish. This is a PRO-ACTIVE bill. No water supply structures have been deemed as historic preservation at this point.

Colorado Farm Bureau supports HB 1289 because it is first and foremost a protection of our property rights. It is no secret to anyone that water is the lifeblood of this state’s economy and the key to the success of the agriculture industry. As we often say “Food grows where water flows.” With the vast majority of water rights in this state owned and used by farmers and ranchers it is imperative to protect their operations, including their use of water structures. This measure is a positive step forward in protecting those property rights from the historic preservation registry.  We believe this bill creates a necessary exception for the historic properties registry process when acting with regard to water supply structures. The notification and ability to object is very critical for us. Water supply structures are a part of our everyday life and a part of our business operation. It is only appropriate for the society to provide notice and obtain the consent of those having a property interest when it comes to water structures.  Farm Bureau believes this to be a fundamental property right.

The Senate Ag Committee passed SB 208 – ‘DOW and Parks Division Merger Bill’ unanimously on Thursday, March 31^st. The bill is currently on the Senate Floor. This bill consolidates the wildlife entities with parks and outdoor recreation entities into one division under DNR with one combined Board. CFB is in support of this bill.

Below you can read Hugh Sanburg’s, CFB State Board Member, testimony which he gave on behalf of Farm Bureau in the committee hearing:

Good afternoon committee members and Chairwoman Schwartz, I am Hugh Sanburg, Colorado Farm Bureau State Board member from Delta County.

I come before you today on behalf of Colorado Farm Bureau the state’s largest general agriculture organization. It is my honor to represent the nearly 23,000 members from across the state in asking for your support of SB 208.

Farm Bureau has long standing policy which states:  “We recommend all government agencies with areas of overlapping responsibilities or management be restructured to eliminate duplication.” We believe it to be important for government agencies and departments to coordinate with each other and become more efficient where appropriate.  SB 208 accomplishes this and that is why we are in support.

There is a strong tie between private land and the abundant wildlife that reside in this State.  Wildlife issues and the management of lands controlled by the Department of Natural Resources often have direct impacts on private land owners.

In Colorado, 75% of the state’s wildlife resides on private land at some point during the year.  It is very important to Farm Bureau for the new Parks and Wildlife Board to continue to have at least two seats that are held by agricultural representatives.  Again, our policy is supportive of this makeup and SB 208 continues this tradition.  As this merger moves forward we would ask that you continue to protect the agricultural members on the new Parks and Wildlife Board.

We greatly appreciate Director Mike King’s work on moving this merger forward and again I’d like to reinforce our support for SB 208.

“Most Americans are feeling sticker shock caused by high gasoline prices when they fill their automobile’s tank,” Shawcroft said. “But there is no term in the English language to accurately describe what farmers and ranchers feel every time they put diesel in the tanks of their farm equipment.”

Shawcroft cited numerous examples of the economic impact currently experienced by farmers and ranchers. He said the cost just for refueling a typical tractor can be more than $1,000.

“Depending on the number of acres being covered, farmers and ranchers have to fill those tanks multiple times just to complete the work on one field,” Shawcroft said. He also explained that the impact is far more than just higher costs for fueling tractors, harvesters and trucks. Higher natural gas and petroleum prices greatly increase the price for fertilizer, and crop protection products.

He said sound public policy can help provide answers. He told members of the committee that America must renew its commitment to domestic oil and gas production, continue to develop all sources of renewable energy and do more to make all forms of home-grown energy available to all American consumers.

“Energy rich repositories such as the Outer Continental Shelf, the Bakken Oilfields and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge must be explored and opened for oil and gas production,” Shawcroft said.

Shawcroft also told the committee that home-grown energy must be made more available to American consumers through implementation of the approved increase of the ethanol blend rate to 15 percent, building a biofuel infrastructure that includes blender pumps and biofuel pipelines and continuing to provide incentives, such as the tax credits currently in place, to encourage the production of biodiesel fuels.

“We must continue to develop all sources of renewable energy.  Much advancement has occurred in the production of renewable energy sources such as ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, wind and solar energy.”

“It is scandalous, ludicrous and highly irresponsible for the chairman of a global conglomerate that tripled its profits last year to talk about higher corn prices forcing millions into starvation,” said NCGA President Bart Schott. “Perhaps if Nestle is so concerned about food prices, its board will consider putting more of their $35.7 billion in 2010 profits back into poor communities. Just their profits alone represent more than half the entire farm value of the 2010 U.S. corn crop.”

Schott was reacting to comments by Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe at a meeting last Tuesday of the Council on Foreign Relations. Schott also challenged Brabeck-Letmathe to take the time to study facts and figures before making ridiculous comments about an industry that he clearly knows little about, nor bothered to study up on.

A fire of more than 1,600 acres in Douglas County forced the evacuation of more than 8,500 people between Parker and Franktown. Farther out on the plains, the town of Karval was threatened by a 5,100 acre blaze and near Pueblo, a 5,000-acre grass fire forced the evacuation of about 600 employees at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. All of the fires were nearly contained by Thursday night.

No homes were lost in any of the blazes, and there were no reported injuries. The Lincoln County fire consumed two county bridges on County Road N and burned a barn.

Near Golden, investigators determined Thursday that the 1,700-acre Indian Gulch fire, which started last week continued to burn.

Governor Hickenlooper has issued a disaster deceleration for the Golden fire on Thursday, freeing up additional state aide to fight the blaze.

Residents are reminded to create an emergency evacuation plan for their household and for their livestock if possible. Thursdays Douglas County fire forced the emergency evacuation of hundreds of horses from dozens of riding stables and ranchettes.

Officials from Colorado Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company are reminding people to develop an evacuation plan and make sure you have insurance protection for your home and personal belongings.

A brief brochure on wildfires and insurance, complete with disaster tips can be found here.

They say creating a home inventory can help to verify losses should the worst happen. They also recommend knowing what things are and are not covered by their plan. Residents should schedule an insurance check-up with their Farm Bureau agent if they are unsure or have questions about coverage.

Prices shot up nearly 50 percent in February due to cold weather that destroyed much of the vegetable supply. Lettuce in Arizona, tomatoes in Florida and other crops were impacted.

Thomas K. Cameron, Palisade, (Democrat), to serve from the Fourth agricultural district; Ernest D. Ford, Center, (Democrat), to serve from the Third agricultural district; Barbara L. Marty, Henderson, (Republican), to serve from the First agricultural district; John W. Singletary, Pueblo, (Democrat), to serve as an at-large member; and Alvin Kunugi, Blanca, (Democrat), to serve as an at-large member.

The commission formulates policy for the Colorado Department of Agriculture and advises the governor and state legislature on agricultural issues.

HB 1179 – Concerning on-site wastewater treatment systems, was defeated in the House Ag Committee on Monday, March 21. Don Shawcroft, CFB President, testified in opposition to this bill on behalf of Farm Bureau. This bill made a number of changes to the standards of wastewater treatment systems, including banning all current existing cesspools.

HB 1286 – passed the House Ag Committee on Monday, March 21, and will next be heard on the House Floor. Don Shawcroft, CFB President, testified in support of this bill on behalf of Farm Bureau. This bill addresses those water wells with “produced water” from oil and gas. It clarifies the state engineer’s rule-making authority made in connection with the dewatering of geologic formations to facilitate mining by specifying the rules; it affirms and clarifies authority granted to the State Engineer’s Office by HB09-1303.

Also this week, HB 1279 (Overweight Vehicle Permits cleanup bill) moves on out of the House Transportation Committee to the House Appropriations Committee. CFB is supportive of HB 1279. SB 110 (County Open Burning Slash Permit Program) passed House Local Government Committee onto the House Floor. CFB is supportive of SB 110. HB 1192, which would give CDOT authority to authorize state highways for longer vehicle combinations within 90 days after the Federal Freeze is lifted, was reconsidered and successfully passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday and moves onto the Senate Floor.

Two other measures that Farm Bureau stands in support of passed the Senate this week and have therefore successfully passed both chambers and head to the Governor’s desk. Those measures are: HB 1111 (Dept. of Ag Livestock Confidential Commercial Data) and HB 1159 (License Grain Protein Analyzers).

HB 1275 (Idling Commercial Diesel Vehicles), sponsored by Rep. Priola, passed the House Transportation Committee on Thursday, March 24^th. It will move forward to the House Appropriations Committee. HB 1275 sets a statewide idling standard for commercial diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 14,000 pounds. Counties or municipalities can have a more lenient or less restrictive standard for idling diesel vehicles, but they could not enforce anything more stringent than this new statewide standard.  The standard allows for engine idling up to 5 minutes within a 60 minute period. Then, the bill also puts in exceptions for the following situations: traffic stalls, emergencies and emergency response, maintenance and equipment, armored vehicles, passenger buses, rest stops and rest areas (when used to heat or cool a sleeper berth), parked locations, and low temperatures. CFB is working in support of this bill.

Farm moms make valuable contributions in the field, and often they are also bookkeepers, cooks, teachers, FFA advisers, 4-H leaders, veterinarians, drivers, mentors, spokespeople and volunteers.

“Farm moms do it all, from supporting their family farming operations to bettering their communities, all while raising the next generation of America’s farmers,” says Chris Chavis, Monsanto spokeswoman for the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year program. “In addition, today’s farm women are passionate advocates for the industry. They work long hours and often go unrecognized for all their efforts. This program is our way to thank farm women everywhere for everything they do.”

Applications will be accepted through Mother’s Day at AmericasFarmers.com. Five regional winners will be announced on May 16, when winners’ profiles and nominations will be posted on the website. Each regional winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize from Monsanto, and the farm mom receiving the most online votes by May 26 will receive an additional $2,500 and the title of America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2011.

Repeal of HB 1195 will bring much needed tax relief to Colorado’s farmers and ranchers.  Please call your House member today and urge them to support HB 1005.  If HB 1005 is not signed into law, then Colorado farmers and ranchers will be stuck paying sales tax for their inputs, which will put them at a disadvantage to surrounding states.

Your members phone number can be found here.

Meeting to discuss an overhaul of Europe’s generously subsidized farms program, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), 19 of the 27 ministers present agreed to the general outlines of a plan to revamp the scheme, several ministers said.

With debate continuing on how to reform the CAP “we have a good basis to look at a legislative package”, said Europe’s agriculture commissioner Dacian Ciolos.

The House Committee on Agriculture, House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Energy and Commerce Committee all held hearing looking at the impact of EPA regulations and restrictions on energy production.  These hearings brought great scrutiny on EPA.  Since the beginning of the 112^th Congress EPA has continually been on the oversight hotseat.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee also held hearings on energy production.  They looked specifically at the impact the recent Deepwater Horizon blowout.  This blowout is being used by the administration to block new drilling permits.

Bill Clinton: Drilling delays ‘ridiculous’

Last American WWI Veteran To Be Honored at Arlington
ArmyLive
U.S. Army Corporal Frank Buckles, the last American veteran of World War I, will be memorialized and then interred at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, March 15th.

EPA, Enviro Groups May Reach Settlement
DTN
EPA and two environmental groups may be negotiating a settlement on a lawsuit alleging EPA violated the Endangered Species Act by not consulting federal wildlife officials about the potential effects that registered pesticides and other agriculture chemicals would have on hundreds of species.

PepsiCo Produces Bottle Using All-Plant Materials
NACS Online
PepsiCo Inc. has unveiled a bottle made entirely of plant material, including switchgrass, pine bark, corn husks and other materials.

HB 1123

HB 1005 would repeal HB10-1195 which suspended the sales and use tax exemption on Ag compounds and pesticides, cleared another hurdle on Friday as it passed the House Appropriations Committee on a party-line vote of 7 to 6. It now moves forward to the House Floor for further consideration. This is Rep. Sonnenberg’s measure which CFB is in support of.

SB 90 is the Sunset Review bill which extends the weather modification act permitting and allows for oversight; CWCB administers the Weather Modification Program. CFB supports this measure. It has passed the Senate and will be heard next week in the House Ag Committee. It is sponsored by Sen. Schwartz and Rep. Baumgardner.

SB 91 is the Sunset Review bill for the Veterinary Medicine Board. This bill implements recommendations in the 2010 sunset review of the State Board of Veterinary Medicine; the Board and its functions are continued until September 1, 2022. CFB supports this bill. The bill passed the Senate and will head to the House Ag Committee. Sen. Brophy and Rep. McKinley are sponsoring this bill.

HB 1111 (Dept. of Ag Livestock Confidential Data) sponsored by Rep. Sonnenberg and Sen. Jahn passed the Senate Ag Committee unanimously yesterday and was put on the Senate Committee of the Whole Consent Calendar. This bill specifies that certain confidential commercial data collected by the CDA on livestock producers may not be merged or shared with any other that could modify the provisions. It allows for exceptions to protect the industry in the case of a disease outbreak and the need for traceability. The bill also clarifies that information will be allowed to be shared in “All hazards events” (weather related natural disasters) to help assist in recovery efforts. CFB supports this bill.

HB 1274 (CWCB Construction Fund Projects List) is sponsored by Rep. Sonnenberg and Sen. Schwartz. This is the annual appropriation bill for CWCB. CFB supports this measure.

The bill appropriates the following amounts from the CWCB construction fund for the following projects:

-        $300,000 for continuation of the satellite monitoring system maintenance;

-        $175,000 for continuation of the weather modification program;

-        $500,000 for continuation of the Colorado Flood Plain Map Modernization Program;

-        $250,000 for continuation of the Watershed Restoration Program;

-        $300,000 to restore the Flood Response Fund balance;

-        $200,000 for a water conservation data tracking project;

-        $500,000 to begin implementation of the Arkansas River Decision Support System;

-        $700,000 to restore the litigation fund cash balance; and

-        $12 million for the second installment of the purchase of Colorado’s allotment of Animas-La Plata Project water.

Monday, March 21, House Ag Committee Hearing will address the following bills which CFB is actively working on:

HB 1179 – Rep. Gerou — On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems (cesspools) – CFB Opposing

HB 1223 – Rep. Scott — Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission – CFB Opposing as introduced, awaiting amendments

HB 1286 – Rep. Sonnenberg and Rep. Becker — Clarify State Engineer Nontributary Rulemaking Authority (addressing produced waters) – CFB Supportive

Click to view slideshow.

The ruling was welcomed by Farm Bureau, the National Pork Producers Council and several other agriculture groups that filed suit against EPA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5^th Circuit.

“For the second time, a U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that EPA’s authority is limited by the Clean Water Act to jurisdiction over only actual discharges to navigable waters, not potential discharges,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “We are pleased that the federal courts have again reined in EPA’s unlawful regulation of livestock operations under the Clean Water Act. The court has affirmed that EPA, like other federal agencies, can only regulate where it has been authorized by Congress to do so.”

In the ruling issued Tuesday, the 5^th Circuit concluded: “The CWA provides a comprehensive liability scheme and the EPA’s attempt to supplement this scheme is in excess of its statutory authority.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, left, meets with Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar, middle, and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper

Remove barriers to trade, foreign markets, red tape and get out of the way. That was the basis of most of the comments at Governor Hickenloopers’ Economic Development Summit this week in Greeley. As part of his bottom-up economic development strategy, the Governor hosted a day-long Summit on rural and economic development at UNC in Greeley. Attending the meeting along with the Governor was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack and Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar.

Red tape and other barriers to business and commerce were a recurring theme throughout the many sessions on various aspects of economic development.

Roundup Ready Alfalfa opponents protest in front of the meeting hall.

“It’s difficult to differentiate red tape and what is an appropriate regulation,” Hickenlooper said in addressing the problem. To do that, he said, he wants to find ways to help business grow while holding the state at the highest level of accountability and ethics. He also wants to assure that the state is pro-business but is also intent on protecting the state’s natural resources.

Vilsack addressed the red tape and regulation complaints by noting the federal government has been given a reality check and that it must become more fiscally responsible and use resources more effectively to “create economic opportunities.”

Agriculture, Vilsack said, was the one bright spot in the recession the country is now starting to move out of. He noted that the export of agricultural products is expected to increase again this year after seeing the same from 2010. Those exports, he said, generate jobs.

(Image: Jim Rydbom, Greeley Tribune)

Shawn Martini is Communications Director for Colorado Farm Bureau.

In December, Rep. Darrell Issa, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform launched an investigation into governmental barriers to business in America. The Chairman sent 171 letters to businesses and industry groups, asking them to outline the regulations and programs that most impeded their operations.

Last month Chairman Issa released the results of his inquiry and the results were very informative. Out of the 113 responses, environmental regulation was most cited as a barrier to business. The EPA was cited over 334 times in the responses regarding their rules on green house gas emissions, ozone and dust, spill prevention, chemical applications etc. The next most cited agency was the Department of Labor with only 55 comments.

The letters make it clear that the threat from EPA goes beyond the agriculture and industrial sectors. The commercial sector will be affected as well. As the American Small Business Council has warned,

“The general regulatory thrust of the Administration with regard to energy and the environment will lead to less energy, higher energy prices, a disincentive to manufacture in the U.S. and massive job loss.”

The agency’s regulation of stationary sources of CO2 will impact industry segments as varied as warehousing, education, office, and food service. The net effect of all this regulation is higher costs for consumers at the grocery store, boutique, and dentist.

President Obama last month issued an executive order that directs a full review of current regulations to “ensure that regulations protect out safety, health, and environment, while promoting economic growth.” Ostensibly the review will eliminate current rules that “stifle job creation and make out economy less competitive.

The reaction from business and industry groups was positive. It was clear that several regulatory roadblocks would be relegated to the bureaucratic scrap heap. However the review held no sway over rules promulgated by the Administration.

Meg Reilly, a spokeswoman for the Office of Management and Budget said, “While all significant regulations are subject to this process, it would stand to reason that any regulations promulgated by this administration are current and already reflect the principals outlined by the President.”

In other words, don’t get your hopes up on a walkback of carbon regs, dust limits and the like. The Administration and the EPA won’t be applying the same standard for previous rules, to their own.

The last hope for businesses and consumers is the Republican controlled House. Its members have made it clear that they will yield to voices of voters when it comes to regulation of the gas we all exhale. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman, Rep. Fred Upton has commenced hearings on the EPA and their regulatory agenda and there is no doubt that legislation will be introduced to overturn action on a variety of issues.

For the sake of business and consumers nationwide, let’s hope he’s successful.

This column is the final in a series of three on the EPA. You can find the first column here and the second here.

Mike says that while there is no shortage of safe and wholesome food in this country, there are those who would bite the hand that feeds them. He says that there are 5 things that may be hard truths for ag critics to stomach, but they are truths nonetheless.

1. • Farmers use pesticides—even organic farmers. Pesticides may be a natural part of the plant, may be made from another plant, or may be synthetic in nature.  Pesticides are regulated by the government and are evaluated for their effects on human health and environment. They are safely and judiciously used by farmers and ranchers to ward off crop and livestock disease problems.
2. • Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not evil. Genetic improvement—through traditional plant breeding techniques as well as genetic modification in the lab—has allowed our food and fiber supply to keep pace with a surging world population.
3. • The bacon, eggs and milk you had for breakfast this morning likely came from a pig, chicken and dairy cow that was raised in a confined feeding operation. In that confined operation, the pig, chicken or dairy cow had an excellent health plan, good groceries and protection from bad weather and predators.
4. • Farmers make profits. Farmers make money by taking care of their land and water resources. They bank those resources to ensure future generations can continue the rich heritage of growing food and fiber.
5. • The average farmer in the United States feeds 155 people. Two-thirds of those people are Americans. The other third are people across the globe.

America is a lucky nation.

Our food is abundant. Our food is safe. Our food is affordable.

From this little corner of cyberspace, I salute farmers and ranchers. They are the reason America enjoys food security. They are the reason we celebrate National Agriculture Day.

We would agree.

National Ag Day falls during National Ag Week that runs through Saturday.

The Agriculture Council of America hosts the campaign on a national level. However, the awareness efforts in communities across America are as influential—if not more—than the broad-scale effort. AFB Women’s Chair Terry Gilbert serves as vice chair of ACA.

Click here to find who America’s MVPs are by reading the winning essay in the Ag Day essay contest and watching the winning video.

“Some ports in northern Japan, Kushiro, Hachinohe, Ishinomaki and Kashima, were hit by the tsunami. We’ve heard some feed mills and livestock operations have also been damaged by the tsunami. Those facilities were not severely damaged by the earthquake itself but were affected by the tsunami,” said Tommy Hamamoto, USGC director in Japan. “It is too early to tell what effect this will have on Japan’s agricultural sector, but it could be of significance.”

The third CR is needed because the House and Senate continue to be unable to agree on a spending bill to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.  The House passed H.R. 1 on Feb. 19 to cut $60 billion in spending from current levels over the remaining seven months of FY 11.  On Mar. 9, the Senate voted down the House version of H.R. 1 and defeated its own version that would have cut $6 billion from current levels.

The three-week CR will cut an additional $6 billion of spending from current levels.  For a complete listing of program cuts, go here.

Program Cuts and Terminations

The three-week CR trims $3.5 billion by eliminating 25 programs, including the following of interest to agriculture:

• Climate Effects Network – Science Application (U.S. Geological Survey): -$10.5 million for a program to “provide data for forecasting the effects of climate change”;
• Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Funding (EPA): -$5 million for EPA to assist Congress in enacting the Cap and Trade legislation; and
• Local Government Climate Change Grants (EPA): -$10 million for competition for grants for local governments.

Earmark Terminations

The three-week CR eliminates $2.6 billion in earmark account funding including the following USDA programs:

• -$24 million – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Salaries and Expenses;
• -$37 million – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – Conservation Operations;
• -$30 million – NRCS – Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations;
• -$3 million – Rural Community Development Grants;
• -$3 million – National Center for Natural Products;
• -$3 million – Agricultural Pest Facility;
• -$10 million – Various Agricultural Grants;
• -$115 million – Agriculture Research Service;
• -$122 million – National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) – Research and  Education; and
• -$11 million – NIFA – Extension.

The agriculture appropriations portion of the CR provides funding for a wide array of federal agricultural programs, mostly within USDA.  These programs include: agricultural research; education and extension activities; natural resources conservation programs; food safety, marketing and inspection activities; rural economic and community development activities; telecommunications and electrification assistance; and various export and international activities of the USDA.

Debate on this CR is going to prove to be very interesting because new GOP members of Congress have expressed displeasure with GOP leadership over continued short term budget extensions.  The debate is going to prove intersting!

The House and Senate will continue next week with full calendars of floor work (for 2nd and 3rd readings of numerous bills). We are still anticipating a handful of bills that we will engage on to be released in the coming weeks. The Long Bill (State’s Budget) is not expected to come out for a few weeks yet. The JBC is busy at work with long days of hearings to address the $1Billion shortfall in next year’s budget.

For a complete list of bills that CFB is currently following please check out the link to the Legislative Tracking List.

As a reminder, next week is National Ag Week – March 13 through the 19th – www.agday.org

Colorado will be celebrating National Ag Day on Wednesday, March 16th at the Colorado State Capitol!

At Noon there will be a press conference on the West Steps of the State Capitol followed by a sandwich lunch prepared by members of the Colorado Ag Council.

Press Conference Agenda

Welcome  – Ivan Steinke, Ag Council Chair
Food Bank of the Rockies 55,000 recognition
Leona Martens, Executive Director Weld County Food Bank, representing Feeding Colorado
Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar
Jamie Bommarito, RN (dietician)
Representative Jerry Sonnenberg – Chair House Agriculture Committee
Senator Gail Schwartz – Chair Senate Agriculture Committee
Proclamation and recognition of Ag Day
Robert Sakata, Ag Council Vice Chair
Wrap-Up – Announcement of provided lunch
Ivan Steinke, Ag Council Chair

Wednesday evening the CFB Districts 2, 6, and 1 will host their ANNUAL STEAK FRY at the Central Presbyterian Church near the Capitol. We look forward to a wonderful evening to socialize with Colorado’s legislators!