Today’s Harvest Blog

Last week, Farm Credit staff, directors, farmers, ranchers, foresters and fishermen from across the nation traveled to Washington, D.C., for the bi-annual Farm Credit Fly-In. The two-day event consisted of hundreds of legislative visits, both in-person and virtual, as well as a marketplace showcasing agricultural products from across the country.

Climate change is front and center on policymakers’ agendas both with the Biden Administration and the 117th Congress. As highlighted in our Stewards of the Land series, Northeast farm, forest products and fishing businesses are using a variety of new and existing strategies to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment.

Sworn in amid the ongoing worldwide pandemic and followed by an attack on the Capitol days later, the 117th Congress began its work during a turbulent time in our nation. While their current priority is working with a new administration on additional pandemic relief, a key question for Farm Credit East members is how the new Congress will address the issues facing Northeast agriculture, forest products and commercial fishing.

On September 17, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, known as “CFAP 2,” following the first round of coronavirus assistance which opened in May 2020. Chris Laughton outlines eligibility for assistance under CFAP 2.