Chances for Bipartisan Immigration Reform Appear Hopeful
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In recent years, there have been a number of unsuccessful efforts made to reform the U.S. immigration laws. This January, Sens. Schumer, McCain, Durbin, Menendez, Rubio, Bennet, and Flake, sometimes referred to as the “Gang of Eight,” issued a “Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.” Days after this press release, President Obama announced his proposed plan for immigration reform.
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Indiana Farmer Appears Before the U.S. Supreme Court
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In what some hail as a battle of David vs. Goliath, Indiana farmer Vernon Hugh Bowman took his case to the U.S. Supreme Court on February 19. Bowman argues that he should be allowed to use soybeans that he purchased from a local grain elevator and planted for double cropping purposes. According to his counsel, the patent and licensing protection asserted by Monsanto for the Roundup Ready beans did not apply to harvested beans that had been sold to the elevator and that were later purchased by Bowman.
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IALF to Support Education Program for Value-Added Businesses
By Justin Schneider
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The IALF will provide financial support for on-farm educational programming aimed at landowners who are looking to acquire information on creating additional revenue sources through value-added businesses. The assistance will allow the highly successful Natural Resource Enterprises to continue for the fifth year in Indiana. The NRE program was developed by Mississippi State University Extension and is hosted in Indiana by Purdue University Extension, Indiana Farm Bureau and the IALF with support from numerous other partners.
Through the previous four years, over 270 landowners have participated in the NRE programs. The educational programming provides insight into alternative business enterprises on rural lands, such as fee hunting and fishing, bed and breakfast, trail riding, and U-pick farms. Programs have focused on developing business opportunities, complying with regulations, and addressing liability issues.
Plans are underway to host two events in Indiana, most likely in early September. Details will be announced in a future issue of the Spotlight.
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Farm Employee Fights Traffic Ticket
By Justin Schneider
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A farm employee was ticketed last spring for driving left of center with silage harvesting equipment. The ticket was issued based upon a complaint from another driver that the farm employee would not pull over and her car was forced off the road by the equipment. The employee asserts that his actions did not violate the law and that the ticket should not have been issued based upon the testimony of the other driver.
While tickets for driving farm equipment left of center are rare, farmers in Wells County, where the ticket was issued, are concerned that this could signal the beginning of a trend. The IALF has pledged up to $1,000 to support the challenge to the ticket.
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Over the next year, we will explore the various aspects of labor and employment law, but we hope to expand the scope over time.
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The IALF is a charitable organization established by Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., to promote better understanding of legal issues facing the agricultural community.
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