News Briefs: MAHA report, Farm Bill, trade, cap and trade, and Sheepdog Finals

MAHA report

The Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again Commission released its follow-up strategy for addressing what it considers a childhood disease epidemic. Many in the farming community were critical of the report due to its focus on pesticides and other agricultural chemicals as potential major health risks. The new report moderated this focus, instead suggesting that more research should be done, and outlined areas where agriculture could play a role in promoting better health. 

In a statement, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said, “Healthy meals start with healthy farms, and we appreciate the report’s recognition of the vital role farmers play in the food supply chain.” 

While the report did suggest chemical exposure generally plays a role in negative health outcomes, it also focused on poor diet, chronic stress and overmedication. A timeline for the commission’s next steps remains unclear, but the strategy is intended to serve as a roadmap for agencies to now begin following.

Farm Bill

With the end of the year in sight—and key deadlines for Congress coming at the end of September—California Farm Bureau joined more than 200 organizations in urging lawmakers to move forward on the farm bill. 

Dubbed “Farm Bill 2.0” or the “skinny” farm bill due to some of the titles being passed via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, some critical provisions remain unaddressed, including items such as the forestry title, trade, research and several specialty crop-related provisions. 

Originally intended to be passed in 2023, the farm bill has languished due to inaction in Congress. Key members of Congress have insisted an introduction is nearing, though the size and scope of the bill could make introduction before winter unlikely.  

Trade 

More details were released last week on the trade agreement negotiated between the U.S. and Japan. A tentative deal came together earlier this summer, but few details were disclosed. 

What is known is that Japan will increase purchases of U.S. products, including agricultural commodities. The terms of the trade deal may impact markets for California farmers. 

Cap and trade

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill extending the state’s cap-and-trade program from 2030 to 2045. The legislation relates to California’s market-based system for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Newsom also signed legislation allocating money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which receives revenue from the cap-and-trade program. The legislation allocated most of GGRF monies to items other than agricultural programs that industry groups had sought. 

The fund contains $200 million for the Department of Forestry for wildfire prevention and healthy forests. It includes $130 million for the Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program. 

Event

The United States Border Collie Handlers Association National Sheepdog Finals returns to California with 150 sheepdogs in North America competing for the championship.

Held at Lazy Spade Ranch west of Alturas in Modoc County this year, the event runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5. 

This is the third time California has welcomed the competition, which was first organized in 1979. Locations alternate annually from western, central and eastern parts of the U.S. California previously hosted the event in 2018 and 2012.

Modoc County Supervisor Geri Byrne, a longtime Farm Bureau member, will host the finals again, with this year being her eighth time. She will also be competing.

For more information, call Byrne at 541-891-7518 or visit www.sheepdogfinals.org or www.facebook.com/nationalsheepdogfinals.

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