California Canola Thieves and Regenerative Ag Pilot Program
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Shawn Sawa, formerly of Clovis, California, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in stealing millions of dollars’ worth of canola intended for livestock feed.
The Department of Justice says from 2015 to 2017, Sawa and co-defendant Richard Best stole $4.8 million worth of canola from international food processors and sold it for a windfall.
The two carried out the scheme through Best’s now-defunct
train-to-truck transloading company.
Best pleaded guilty in October and faces up to 20 years and a fine of $250,000.
**The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance welcomed the USDA’s announcement of a $700 million Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program.
It’s a farmer-focused initiative designed to advance voluntary conservation and expand practical soil health and water management efforts.
The pilot’s focus on measurable outcomes will help strengthen confidence in the environmental benefits of longstanding conservation and regenerative practices.
**The USDA’s plan to relocate thousands of staff members and consolidate dozens of offices has received overwhelmingly negative feedback.
Government Executive reports employees, lawmakers, and stakeholders say it could lead to “brain drain” due to a loss of employees not wanting to relocate, which may mean significant disruptions in farm-support programs.
USDA intends to move a large number of employees to five regional hubs around the country, and slash other regional offices.
