USDA Grant Support for Agricultural Employers addresses Labor Shortages

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) of USDA is hosting listening sessions for public input on a farm labor stabilization and protection pilot grant program. Up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding will be available to provide support for agricultural employers. This program is focused on improving the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain by addressing current labor shortages in agriculture, reducing irregular migration through increased use of legal pathways, and improving labor protections for farmworkers. FSA will hold a session for input from employer organizations on September 28, 2022, at 11:00 am EST (8:00 am PST, 9:00 am MST). For information on the program, including the specific questions FSA has for employer organizations, and to register for the online session see www.fsa.usda.gov/farmworkers FSA will also accept written comments through late October, see Federal Register Notice.

Food Northwest hires Food Policy Intern

Taylor Murray will be joining Food Northwest as a Food Policy Intern on September 26, 2022, and will be with us until the end of May 2023. Ms. Murray is a senior at Oregon State University pursuing a double degree in Environmental Economics & Policy and Environmental Science. She will provide support to the work of the Operations & Technical Affairs Committee as well as the regulatory, policy, and legislative efforts of Food Northwest. This internship will give Ms. Murray hands on experience that complements her academic and professional goals.

Good news out of Idaho for Food Processors

Idaho Land Board approves $23 million for CAFE research dairy farm

Labels only required for detectable biotech genes, judge says

Idaho Water Board spends ARPA funds on raising dam, recharge projects

(links via Capital Press)

Director of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Resigns

Director Richard Whitman resigned from DEQ on September 20, 2022, with an effective date of September 21. He had announced in June that he would be retiring at the end of the year and the search for a new director had already begun. Deputy Director Leah Feldon will serve as acting director until the Environmental Quality Council officially appoints and acting director at its meeting on September 23. Whitman has served as DEQ director since February 2017.