Oct 3, 2023 | Monthly Briefings

October 2023 “Monthly Briefing” Now Available!

by

Fast and Furious Fly-in

29 “Farmer Lobbyists” Hit 39 Meetings in 59 Hours

A Western contingent of 29 farmer lobbyists descended on Washington, D.C. late last month, as Congress scrambled to reach agreement on Fiscal Year 2024 federal spending and avoid a government shutdown.

While Congress eventually passed a last-minute, 45-day continuing resolution to keep the government open, the fate of the 2023 farm bill remains unclear. And, as many of the Family Farm Alliance members were preparing to travel back West on September 29, they heard the sad news that one of the Senate’s strongest water champions – Dianne Feinstein – had passed earlier in the day at the age of 90.

The Alliance’s annual Farmer Lobbyist trip is one of the organization’s “cornerstone” programs which brings family farmers and water professionals to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators and Administration policy leaders on critical water issues.

“Our philosophy has long held that the most effective voice in Washington, D.C. is the individual family farmer or rancher,” said Alliance President Patrick O’Toole, a Wyoming rancher who was accompanied in D.C. by his wife, Sharon and grandson, Tiarnan.

In this month’s cover story, you can learn more about how our farmer lobbyists fared in D.C., discover how things are looking for the 2023 Farm Bill and FY 2024 appropriations, and see reactions to Senator Feinstein’s passing.

CLICK HERE to download the PDF Version of the October 2023 edition of the “Monthly Briefing”, where you can read more about these matters, and these other important issues to Western water users, from a perspective that you won’t find anywhere else:

  • WIFIA Legislation Reintroduced in House
  • Central Washington Tour and Dinner Show Support for Irrigated Agriculture
  • “Muddy Reflection”: A Look Back at the 2023 Water Season, by NSID Manager Justin Harter
  • Reclamation Workshop Scheduled Later This Month in Denver
  • Biden Administration Takes Assertive Action to Aid Columbia River Fisheries
  • House ESA Working Group Hosts Forum
  • White House Summit Highlights Recent Climate Actions
  • Save the Date! Roosevelt Irrigation District Centennial Celebration
  • CEQ Closes Comment Period for NEPA Phase II Rule

Please do not hesitate to contact dan@familyfarmalliance.org if you have any difficulties downloading the October 2023 “Monthly Briefing”.