US Senate staff to talk Farm Bill

Two agricultural policy veterans will provide inside-the-Beltway insights into the Farm Bill and other issues affecting the western United States during the second annual Western Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference, June 13-14.

During the session, “Update from the Potomac: 2024 Farm Bill, Public Lands, & Related Federal Issues,” Fitzhugh Elder IV, Republican staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Rosy Brummette, policy advisor for U.S. Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colorado, will detail issues affecting the West.

The Western Conference will be held at the University of Nevada, Reno. Registration is available at https://nationalaglawcenter.org/western2024/ and a livestream option is available for those unable to attend in person.

National Agricultural Law Center Director Harrison Pittman said Elder and Brummette will provide a unique perspective.

“We’re very fortunate to have Fitz and Rosy join us for this year’s Western conference,” he said. “They are both at the center of ag funding and policy development in D.C. and bring unique perspectives on the latest developments and what to expect next on the Farm Bill and other federal issues.”

Last November, Congress extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, otherwise known as the 2018 Farm Bill, legislation to Sept. 30, 2024. The “Update from the Potomac” session will detail what farmers, producers and legal professionals out West can expect looking ahead of that end date, as well as what’s to come with other federal legislation on specialty crops, dairy, forestry, conservation, federal crop insurance, carbon markets and more.