As Americans remember the events and veterans of December 7, 1941 today, another organization seeks to help our service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. A recent USA Today article highlighted the work of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition. The national coalition “seeks to help our returning veterans find employment, training and places to heal on America’s farms.”

Here is legislation reviewed by CSG’s Committee on Suggested State Legislation about agricultural operations and sustainable agriculture; a program to help disabled farmers; and a master farmer program to help farmers reduce the environmental impact of their farming operations.

The Midwestern Legislative Conference and The Council of State Governments were represented at a recent meeting of the White House Rural Council in Washington, D.C. Formed in June by presidential executive order, the council is being led by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and is focusing on how the federal government can help foster economic growth in rural areas. 

The dairy industry is an important economic engine for many communities in the Midwest, as reflected by recent actions taken in Wisconsin and regional interest in the future policy direction of the federal government.

Recognizing the unique characteristics and issues facing rural America, CSG has released a special series of Capitol Research briefs.   Issues include health, transportation, energy, agriculture, natural resources, economic trends, and education. 

With gas prices rapidly approaching $4 a gallon across much of the country and unrest gripping large portions of the Middle East, states and the federal government are facing a series of pressing energy challenges. While much attention is frequently given to U.S. dependence on foreign oil, questions about rural energy production and access to markets are no less pressing in large portions of the country. 

State agriculture departments increasingly are branding produce and goods to guide a variety of purchasing choices. Whether influencing state residents to buy local produce or promoting exports to other states and countries, states are increasing their agriculture markets. 

Rural states should prepare to have fewer federal dollars in their economies.  The Obama administration has proposed cuts in USDA funding and Congress has announced a ban on earmarks, which have historically been a boon to some rural areas.

This year, Iowa and Minnesota have received national attention for legislation that aims to protect the animal agriculture industry — namely from what proponents say are unfair, misleading attacks from animal-abuse whistle-blowers.