Lawmakers are headed into the final months of the 117th Congress, offering a chance to decide what priorities will see action this year and work on bills for the next session. For Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., that means a big focus on the next farm bill. She joins Newsmakers to discuss that legislation as well as the committee’s agenda for the rest of the year.Then, Robert Guenther of the International Fresh Produce Association, Bruce Knight of Strategic Conservation Solutions and Tara Smith of Michael Torrey Associates offer their thoughts on some of the big topics that will need to be addressed in the 2023 farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Grain is now being shipped out of Ukraine under a fragile agreement, offering some hope to hungry people around the world looking to receive their familiar supplies from the country. But what has the conflict taught us about the importance of food in the world’s global security conversation? Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joins Newsmakers to offer his thoughts. Then, Phil Karsting of OFW Law, Barron Segar of World Food Program USA and Kip Tom of Tom Farms assess where things currently stand on world hunger and what that means for U.S. agriculture.

The last week saw major progress in efforts to pass the Inflation Reduction Act into law, and the farm policy community is working to understand the particulars of the bill. Illinois Republican and House Ag Committee member joins Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on the bill’s provisions. Then, Daren Bakst with The Heritage Foundation, James Glueck with Michael Torrey Associates and Laura Wood Peterson with LWP Consulting take a look at the investments in the bill and what those funds will mean for the upcoming farm bill. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Senate Democrats are working to advance a reconciliation package that includes $369 billion in climate-related provisions. Sen. Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat and member of the Senate Ag Committee, joins Agri-Pulse to discuss why she supports the package and its investment in conservation programs.Then, Kurt Kovarik with the Clean Fuels Alliance America and Rob Larew of the National Farmers Union offer their thoughts on the package and what it would mean for agriculture, including the industry’s preparations for the upcoming farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The Department of Agriculture announced $401 million in rural broadband funding this week, kicking off another round of its ReConnect program. USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Xochitl Torres Small joins Newsmakers to discuss the department’s efforts to connect rural America and what else is on the RD agenda. Then, Shirley Bloomfield with NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association and Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins take part in a panel discussion to discuss the demand for rural broadband and what else USDA can do to develop rural areas. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

This week’s activity on Capitol Hill featured a hearing offering growers and crop insurance industry stakeholders the chance to weigh in on what they would like to see in the next farm bill. That hearing was chaired by Illinois Democrat Cheri Bustos, who joins Newsmakers to discuss what she learned and how she’s helping Congress prepare for the upcoming legislation. Then, a panel of crop insurance policy experts including former House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway of the Conaway Graves Group, Bev Paul with Gordley Associates and Tom Sell with Combest Sell & Associates describe the politics surrounding crop insurance and other key policy areas as farm bill preparations pick up.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Farm groups and ag lawmakers are drafting their priorities for the upcoming farm bill but are being faced with a limited budget to make those desires happen. Pennsylvania Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, the top Republican on the House Ag Committee, joins Agri-Pulse to discuss how he plans to approach the next piece of legislation and what he wants to learn before he and his colleagues write the bill.Then, Jonathan Coppess with the University of Illinois, Lisa Van Doren with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and Ryan Yates with the American Farm Bureau Federation discuss the approach the ag community will need to take in the upcoming farm bill process.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The nation’s Independence Day parades earlier this week included candidates waving to people they’ll hope to win over by the time ballots are cast in November. Dave Wasserman of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter joins Newsmakers to discuss the political landscape and some of the House and Senate races key to farm policy.Then, Anne MacMillan of Invariant and Randy Russell of The Russell Group discuss the situation facing Democrats and Republicans across the country in the upcoming midterms as well as the impacts the November elections will have on farm policy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The Biden administration has made addressing diversity, equity and inclusion issues a priority across the federal government, including at the Department of Agriculture. Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh is heading up USDA’s equity efforts and joins Newsmakers to discuss where things stand on that work. Then, a panel of agribusiness leaders, Farm Credit’s Gary Matheson, AFA’s Mark Stewart and NACD’s Jeremy Peters takes a broader look at the American agriculture workforce ranging from how DEI can be improved to what today’s college graduates are looking for from their employers. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Dairy policy has been a hot topic in recent farm bills and saw some big changes in the 2014 and 2018 legislation. The House Ag Committee held a hearing this week on dairy policy, and California Democrat Jim Costa shares his thoughts on what the provisions of the bill might ultimately look like.There’s also a panel discussion from Aubrey Bettencourt of the Almond Alliance of California, Paul Bleiberg with the National Milk Producers Federation, and Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association focusing on the news of the week and the proposed climate reporting rule from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD