Government Relations & Washington Update
March 2025
Congress Passes Continuing Resolution for FY 2025
With a March 14th deadline looming, Congress was able to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025. The resolution included mainly “level” funding for programs at their fiscal year 2024 amounts. That was true for USDA’s agricultural research accounts within NIFA, ARS, ERS and NASS. The one exception was the removal of funding in the ARS Buildings and Facilities line for fiscal year 2025. The extension of funding through September 30th will allow Congress to address other issues including budget reconciliation without the threat of a government shutdown. With fiscal year 2025 appropriations complete, work will begin on fiscal year 2026. The Trump Administration is expected to release its proposals for fiscal year 2026 in the coming weeks. AAEA is actively working with coalition partners to build support for critical USDA research, education and economics programs for the upcoming fiscal year.
Hutchins Nominated as REE Under Secretary
On February 12th, Dr. Scott Hutchins was nominated to serve as Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. The USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area is comprised of the Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Office of the Chief Scientist. During the first Trump administration, Hutchins served as REE deputy undersecretary and is familiar with the mission area and its agencies.
Dr. Hutchins is a Board Certified Entomologist, Adjunct Professor of entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Past President of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), Fellow of the ESA, and Honorary Member of the ESA. Dr. Hutchins received a B.S. in entomology from Auburn University, a M.S. in entomology from Mississippi State University, and a Ph.D. in entomology from Iowa State University.
Hamby Appointed as NIFA Director
On March 20th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of Dr. Jaye L. Hamby as the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). As Director, Dr. Hamby will lead USDA’s efforts to advance agricultural innovation, community outreach, and fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Dr. Hamby, a Tennessee native, grew up on his family’s cow-calf operation and developed a deep connection to agriculture through 4-H and FFA, eventually serving as a national FFA officer. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Tennessee before completing his master’s and doctorate degrees in agricultural education at Oklahoma State University. Over the course of his career, he has directed hundreds of research efforts specializing in concept testing, product marketing, value driver analysis, and following market trends and strategies to support agricultural producers.
NASS Announces Reinstatement of Key Reports and Estimates
On March 19th, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced that it is reinstating the July Cattle report, as well as County Estimates for Crops and Livestock. The move reverses the cancellation of the report and estimates which occurred in April 2024. AAEA had expressed concerns to NASS leadership about the impacts of the cancellations in 2024. The county estimate reinstatement is effective for the 2024 crop season for the row crops (corn, cotton, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans) and for the 2025 crop season for the small grain crops (barley, oats, wheat).
According to NASS, the scheduled release dates for the estimates and reports are:
- County Estimates – corn, sorghum, soybeans: May 6
- County Estimates – cotton: May 12
- County Estimates – cattle: May 13
- County Estimates – rice, peanuts: May 23
- July Cattle: July 25