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FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Hearing on 2018 Farm Bill Research Implementation

Original title: AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND 2018 FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION

January 1, 2020

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing tracks how federal research dollars and programs are being distributed to support agricultural productivity, university research infrastructure, and mental health resources for farmers.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Farmers and Ranchers

They are the primary recipients of mental health support services and agricultural research outcomes.

Land-Grant Universities

These institutions receive formula funding and competitive grants for research and infrastructure improvements.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2020.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This Senate Committee on Agriculture hearing reviewed the progress of implementing research and education programs mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill. The session focused on how the U.S. Department of Agriculture is utilizing reauthorized funding and new authorities to support agricultural innovation, land-grant universities, and farmer mental health.

Key Facts

  • The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized primary USDA research, education, and extension authorities, including the Agriculture Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
  • Land-Grant University formula funds were extended, specifically the Hatch Act, Smith-Lever, McIntire-Stennis, and Evans-Allen programs.
  • The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network was reauthorized and strengthened to provide mental health support for farmers.
  • New provisions were included to provide funding equity for 1890 and 1994 land-grant institutions.
  • Competitive grant programs were established to support improvements to agricultural research facilities and equipment.
  • The hearing took place on July 18, 2019, in the Russell Senate Office Building.

Why It Matters

The hearing tracks how federal research dollars and programs are being distributed to support agricultural productivity, university research infrastructure, and mental health resources for farmers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network?
It is a program reauthorized by the 2018 Farm Bill designed to support the mental health of farmers and individuals working in high-stress agricultural conditions.
Which university funding programs were extended by the 2018 Farm Bill?
The bill extended for land-grant universities, specifically the Hatch Act, Smith-Lever, McIntire-Stennis, and Evans-Allen programs.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Farmer Mental Health

The 2018 Farm Bill marked a formal legislative shift toward integrating mental health support into agricultural policy via the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.

Connected Entities

personPat RobertsChairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryMap →
personScott HutchinsDeputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics at the USDAMap →
personDebbie StabenowRanking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryMap →
organizationU.S. Department of AgricultureFederal agency responsible for implementing the Farm BillMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

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