United States
IFB announces grant recipients
Illinois Farm Bureau has announced the recipients of the 2025 Nutrient Stewardship Grants and Pollinator Conservation Grants. The grants go to farmer-focused programs and materials to support 15 Nutrient Stewardship Grant projects with 18 participating county Farm Bureaus. Counties receiving grants this year include: Bureau, Clark, Clinton, Cook, Jo Daviess, Knox, LaSelle, Lee, McHenry, Montgomery, Tazewell, Mason and Cass-Morgan (collaborative), Washington, Wayne and Will. Additionally, IFB has awarded a total of $1.2 million for more than 30 county Farm Bureau-led projects that support pollinators and Monarch butterflies since 2015. Seven projects received grants this year.
Canada
Feds pass protection bill for fruit and vegetable farmers
Bill C-280, the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act, passed its third reading in the Canadian Senate in December. It’s a passing industry leaders and advocates have said is years in the making. The bill will see the establishment of a deemed trust mechanism for fresh produce growers and sellers in Canada, allowing them financial protection ensuring payment in the case of buyer bankruptcy. Historically, produce sellers in Canada have lacked such a mechanism similar to the stateside Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). Advocates say this puts the Canadian industry at a disadvantage. Under the current system, Canadian sellers must pay double the bond required for PACA’s dispute resolution mechanism. C-280 will allow the USDA to restore Canadian sellers’ preferential access to PACA protections. Luc Mougeot, president and CEO of the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC), explained the context of the bill in a statement. “The lack of a financial protection mechanism in Canada has been a pain point in our trading relationship with the United States for many years,” he said. “We look forward to working with our U.S. counterparts to put in place reciprocal protection and provide stability for produce sellers on both sides of the border.”
Canadian Potato Summit to deliver industry update
The Canadian Potato Summit, airing live on Jan. 16, will deliver crucial information to the industry and help growers prepare for the 2025 season. Hosted by Potatoes in Canada, the free, virtual summit will include sessions from United Potato Growers general manager Victoria Stamper, AAFC scientist Christine Noronha, University of Guelph’s Vanessa Currie and AAFC’s Erica Fava to deliver the latest on breeding and varieties, and others. Topics include regional industry updates, a focus on Colorado potato beetle and the results of the University of Guelph’s Varieties trials.
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