Vilsack defends climate policies amid farming tradition concerns

Feb 16, 2024

By Farms.com

In a spirited session with House Agriculture Committee members, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack defended the USDA's shift towards climate change mitigation efforts amidst criticism.

Republican committee members voiced concerns that this shift might neglect traditional agricultural practices, favoring instead "climate-smart" conservation funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Vilsack reassured that the programs are both voluntary and designed with farmers' interests at heart, distinguishing U.S. policies from more stringent European models. The debate reflects wider tensions over agricultural policy direction, especially considering negotiations over the new farm bill.

Vilsack argued that climate initiatives support the broader agricultural community by offering incentives for sustainable practices, amidst bipartisan calls for a balanced approach to farm and nutrition policy funding.

The ongoing dialogue highlights the complex interplay between climate action and agricultural tradition as lawmakers seek to forge a path forward.

Video: We’ll NEVER Use These Grain Bins Again!

A huge change is happening on the farm — our new grain bin has officially arrived, and that means we’ll never use some of our old grain bins again. In today's video, we take delivery of the new grain bin, look back at the old bins that have been part of our farm for years, and talk about why this upgrade is such a big deal for harvest, grain storage, and the future of our family farm.

This is more than just a grain bin delivery. It’s the end of an era and the start of a major farm upgrade that will completely change how we handle corn during harvest. From old grain storage to a brand-new bin setup, this project is one of the biggest improvements we’ve made at the farm.

Join me as the new grain bin shows up, the bin project continues, and we prepare for a new chapter in harvest efficiency on our Minnesota family farm.