On November 21, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack announced the release of a report on the economic importance of passing a comprehensive farm bill this year. The report outlines the Administration’s priorities in a final farm bill that support rural communities and regions throughout the United States. Click here (http://www NULL.whitehouse NULL.gov/sites/default/files/docs/farm_bill_report_211 NULL.pdf) to view the full report.

Current farm bill negotiations on Capitol Hill have stalled between the top 4 lawmakers. The farm bill conference committee is not likely to meet until after the Thanksgiving recess. This week, the NADO Executive Committee continued to urge passage of a reauthorized farm bill with a strong Rural Development title during their Capitol Hill visits.