Advocate Editorial: La. Rice Farmers are Collateral Damage in Fight Over USAID

The hastily developed and executed pause in aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, has thrown some of Louisiana's farmers into limbo as they wait to find out if programs that bought a significant portion of their crops will continue.

Within weeks of taking office, President Donald Trump and his point person on governmental spending, Elon Musk, abruptly shuttered many operations at USAID and ordered freezes on many aid programs, alleging wasteful spending. Among the programs affected were those that bought crops — including Louisiana rice — for foreign food aid.

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RiceAvery Davidson
Farm Bureau Congratulates Sec. Rollins on Senate Confirmation  

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Senate vote to confirm Brooke Rollins as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

“Farm Bureau congratulates Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to be Secretary of Agriculture. We look forward to her leadership as she takes over USDA at a critical time for America’s farmers and ranchers.”

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Agricultural Exports 101

With more than 20% of U.S. agricultural production destined for foreign markets, agricultural exports are vital to the financial success of U.S. farmers. Exports not only allow U.S. farmers to find additional customers among the over 95% of the world population that lives outside of our borders but also add value for farmers as many foreign customers are looking for products for which Americans find little or no value. For instance, consumers in Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries are willing to pay premiums for fruit; and while certain animal parts, such as beef tongue or chicken feet, are undesirable in the United States, they are delicacies in other cultures, and so add value to U.S. production through trade.

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TradeAllie Shipley
Higgins Asks President Trump to Levy Tariffs on Foreign Seafood

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) delivered an official letter to President Trump, requesting tariffs and increased trade enforcement for seafood imports from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

“Domestic shrimpers, fishermen, and crawfish producers in Louisiana and across the country face significant challenges competing against foreign seafood industries that are heavily subsidized and engage in illegal dumping into the United States,” Congressman Higgins wrote.

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AquacultureAvery Davidson
Need a Lift? Local Support Provides Transportation to Assist Underserved 4-H Youth

4-H offers Louisiana youth a wealth of personal growth opportunities that assist in developing well-rounded adult members of society a few years down the road. Yet sometimes navigating the actual roads to camps and workshops can be difficult for those who lack reliable transportation. That’s where 4-H supporters have stepped up.

Several parishes have acquired vans thanks to local support, said Lanette Hebert, 4-H coordinator for the LSU AgCenter Southwest Region.

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LSU AgCenterAvery Davidson