FRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

AGR · Agriculture

Socialized a proposal to amend the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) [7 U.S.C. Section 8111] to include dedicated support for "intermediate crops" referring to winter annual oilseed crops like winter camelina and field pennycress as eligible feedstocks for biofuel production. The proposal is for consideration in the upcoming Farm Bill [no bill number yet]. This was discussed with Representatives Finstad, McCollum, and House Agriculture Committee Minority Staff, as well as with Senators Smith and Durbin.

BUD · Budget/Appropriations

Appropriations requests were submitted to Representatives Newhouse, Underwood, McCollum and Senators Baldwin, Heinrich, and Peters asking for report language to be added to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) program, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative [7 U.S.C. Section 450i(b)], and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to support research into "intermediate crops" like winter camelina and field pennycress as biofuel feedstocks. In-person meetings to discuss these requests were held with Representatives Finstad and McCollum, and Senators Smith and Heinrich, as well.