Agriculture
More on Agriculture
June 5, 2019
Press Release
“Milk provides the cornerstone of a healthy meal for our nation’s children,” Rep. Courtney said. “It packs valuable nutrients including protein, potassium, and calcium—a solid foundation for building a healthy menu in America’s schools."
May 9, 2019
Press Release
“I’ve long seen industrial hemp production as a tremendous opportunity for our state’s agricultural sector and economy,” said Congressman Courtney.
March 14, 2019
Press Release
“We believe that the MAFMC continues to shortchange New England states when it comes to commercial summer flounder quotas,” Courtney, Blumenthal, and Murphy argued in their letter. “New England fishermen—including many of our constituents who have spent their lives fishing in southern New England Waters—have consistently voiced their concerns regarding summer flounder quotas set by the MAFMC.”
December 12, 2018
Press Release
“The passage of this bill is welcome news throughout eastern Connecticut. This farm bill agreement includes many important provisions aimed at providing support and a level playing field for established crops and farm commodities in our region, while breaking down barriers to developing others,” Courtney said.
May 18, 2018
Press Release
“Without the federal funding provided by CDBG program, our local municipalities would struggle to fund valuable public services and housing assistance programs that are often taken for granted,” said Courtney. “CDBG has become a critical vehicle for getting federal dollars into the hands of local governments who need this annual cash infusion to maintain these services and programs. Proposals to eliminate CDBG would have a devastating impact on our region and our state, which is why I will continue to work across the aisle to preserve this vital program as Congress debates the 2019 budget in the weeks ahead.”
April 3, 2018
Press Release
(Norwich, CT) —Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that the USDA will be reopening enrollment for the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP) that will allow dairy farmers across the country and in eastern Connecticut to reassess their safety net coverage under the MPP. These changes were authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 passed in February.
March 16, 2018
Press Release
“With imported seafood making up 90% of American seafood consumption, our nation should be focusing on programs to expand and improve our domestic aquaculture industry,” wrote the members. “Sea Grant is a program that does just that—helping fishermen and shellfish farmers navigate a complex patchwork of state and federal coastal zone management regulations through technical assistance. Sea Grant works with local producers to grow and sustain their business models while connecting them to local resources to share best practices.”
October 24, 2017
Press Release
Courtney joined Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-05) in introducing H.R. 4101, the School Milk Nutrition Act of 2017, which will ease unnecessary regulations preventing milk consumption in school lunch programs. The bipartisan bill recognizes the importance of milk to the health and well-being of school children. It also works to improve the variety and availability of milk offered in schools, which was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue earlier this year.
April 3, 2017
Press Release
“With imported seafood making up 90% of American seafood consumption, our nation should be focusing on programs to expand and improve our domestic aquaculture industry,” wrote the members. “Sea Grant is a program that does just that- helping fishermen and shellfish farmers navigate a complex patchwork of state and federal coastal zone management regulations through technical assistance. Sea Grant works with local producers to grow and sustain their business models while connecting them to local resources to share best practices.”
February 17, 2017
Press Release
“America needs a new generation of farmers, now more than ever,” said Courtney. “The number of new farmers entering the field of agriculture has dropped by 20 percent, while the average farmer age has now risen above 58-years-old. The skyrocketing cost of higher education and the growing burden of student loan debt are presenting major obstacles for young farmers. The burden of student loan debt can thwart their ability to purchase the farming operations they need to get started or drive them away from a career in agriculture altogether. This legislation would assist new farmers during the costly, initial phases of opening a farming business, and allow them a fighting chance to build a life on the farm for themselves and their families.”