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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 20 F Street NW, Suite 300 |
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City | Washington |
State | DC |
Zip Code | 20001 |
Country | USA |
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5. Senate ID# 14187-12
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6. House ID# 333050000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2023 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: Mr. Rob Larew, President |
Date | 10/20/2023 10:06:37 AM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R.1287 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets.
H.R.945 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors.
H.R.1495 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies.
H.R.1459 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs.
H.R.1249 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars.
H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent.
H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline.
H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities.
H.R.2723 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems.
H.R.2728 - Young Farmer Success Act of 2023; support for making full-time farmers and ranchers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk.
H.R.3922 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities.
H.R.4239 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects.
H.R.4288 - Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023; support for reaffirming EPA as the primary authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to make scientific findings on pesticides and prohibiting states imposing additional labeling or packaging requirements.
H.R.5268 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies.
H.R.5389 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers.
H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program.
H.R.4979 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers; extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities.
H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States.
H.R.5604 - Agricultural Right to Repair Act of 2023; support for guaranteeing farmers complete access, on fair and reasonable terms, to fix their own farm equipment, and guaranteeing similar support to independent mechanics.
S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef.
S.228 - Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023; support for increasing price discovery in cattle markets.
S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the the special investigator for competition matters at USDA.
S.354 - Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023; support for providing assistance and expanding resources for small meat and poultry processors.
S.719 - Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2023; support for providing low-interest agriculture loans to producers who adopt precision agriculture technologies.
S.720 - Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023; support for incentivizing the purchase and adoption of precision agriculture technologies under USDA programs.
S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent.
S.557 - Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023; support for reforms to USDA mandatory checkoff programs, prevent conflicts of interest, and increase transparency and oversight of checkoff dollars.
S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline.
S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats.
S.1020 - Livestock Research Consolidation Act of 2023; support for research into the impacts of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers, and consumers.
S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities.
S.1205 - Local Farms and Food Act of 2023; support for farm programs that support the expansion of local and regional food systems.
S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).
S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk.
S.1628 - America Grows Act of 2023; support for increasing funding for agricultural research at USDA research agencies.
S.1867 - Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023; support for new USDA programs that address availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities.
S.2023 - Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act of 2023; support for increasing research and development into regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds.
S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers.
S.2155 - Rebuild Rural America Act of 2023; support for new block grant programs investing in long-term rural economic development projects.
S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases.
S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program.
S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services.
S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing program emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers.
S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles.
S.2670 - Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2023; support for establishing a moratorium on and review of agribusiness, food, and grocery mergers, reinstatement of country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork; updates to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for technical assistance and outreach for beginning, retired, and socially disadvantaged farmers, extended funding for Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), investments in supply chain infrastructure and processing facilities.
S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol.
S.2890 - Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2023; support adjusting USDA FSA loan limits, increasing options for distressed borrowers.
Issues other than legislation:
Issues pertaining to adjusting farm program loan rates and price-based triggers to reflect commodity prices and input costs.
Issues pertaining to creating a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC).
Issues pertaining to authorizing a voluntary update of base acres and yields for farm programs.
Issues pertaining to disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers.
Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization.
Issues pertaining to strengthening federal antitrust enforcement.
Issues pertaining to strengthening protections for farmers and ranchers producing agricultural commodities under contract.
Issues pertaining to strengthening product of the United States labeling standards.
Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling.
Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment.
Issues pertaining to strengthening Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting.
Issues pertaining to improvements to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to increase processing capacity.
Issues pertaining to reforming checkoff programs to be producer controlled and regularly reviewed.
Issues pertaining to balancing supply and demand for the dairy industry.
Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol.
Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel.
Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure.
Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Issues pertaining to climate change and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors.
Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture.
Issues pertaining to funding for agricultural conservation programs and conservation technical assistance.
Issues pertaining to funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.
Issues pertaining to funding and support for investments in research, outreach, and education to support on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation.
Issues pertaining to funding and support for cooperative development, the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG), and Cooperative Development Centers
Issues pertaining to funding and support for addressing farm stress and farmer mental health, including support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN).
Issues pertaining to national crisis hotlines for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers.
Issues pertaining to implementation and funding for broadband and high-speed internet in rural areas, including support for the ReConnect program.
Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform.
Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages.
Issues pertaining to health and safety of farm workers and rural communities.
Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label.
Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs.
Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Issues pertaining to livestock animal identification rules.
Issues pertaining to the labeling and use of pesticides.
Issues pertaining to support for public agricultural research for regionally adapted and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds.
Issues pertaining to supporting beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through farm programs.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Farm Credit Administration, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Transportation - Dept of (DOT), Justice - Dept of (DOJ)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R.4368 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024; support for funding to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act, opposition to restricting USDA rulemaking and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for agricultural conservation programs and operations including the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, support for funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), support for funding for the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, support for funding for the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program, support for funding the Food Safety Outreach Program, support for ongoing funding for the Food and Drug Administration's implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
S.2131 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024; support for funding to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act, opposition to restricting USDA rulemaking and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, funding for agricultural conservation programs and operations including the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, support for funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), support for funding for the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, support for funding for the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program, support for funding the Food Safety Outreach Program, support for ongoing funding for the Food and Drug Administration's implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Issues other than legislation:
Issues pertaining to coronavirus/pandemic assistance for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
Increased and ongoing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Program (FRSAN).
Increased funding for the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program.
Increased funding for the Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP).
Continued funding for implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Increased funding for Conservation Operations and Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA).
Adequate funding for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan programs and staff.
Increase in funding for public agriculture research, including for Hatch, Evans-Allen, and McIntire-Stennis Formula Grants, the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Continued funding for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) funding.
Increased funding for rural health care.
Increased funding for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.
Increased funding for enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
Issues pertaining to funding for climate-smart agriculture.
Ongoing funding for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to fund the reduction in overtime and holiday inspection fees for small and very small meat processing establishments.
Support for strong overall funding levels for USDA's Rural Development (USDA-RD) programs.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Energy - Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENV
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R.1840 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities.
H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk.
H.R.4327 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program.
S.1016 - Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023; support for promoting emissions' reductions in agriculture, improve soil health, enhance resilience, and create new market opportunities.
S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk.
S.2479 - Converting Our Waste Sustainably Act of 2023; support for establishing a voluntary manure management conservation program.
Issues other than legislation:
Issues pertaining to voluntary, incentive-based farm conservation programs.
Issues pertaining to renewable energy production.
Issues pertaining to climate and its impact in the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors.
Issues pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Energy - Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code FOO
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States.
S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef.
S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats.
Issues other than legislation:
Issues pertaining to mandatory country-of-origin labeling.
Issues pertaining to product of the United States labeling standards.
Issues pertaining to implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Issues pertaining to the integrity of the National Organic Standards and the certified organic label.
Issues pertaining to domestic nutrition assistance programs.
Issues pertaining to international food assistance programs.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
S.1736 - Farmers First Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).
Issues other than legislation:
Increased funding for Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).
Issues pertaining to a national crisis hotline for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers.
Increased funding for rural health care.
Expansion of health care access and opportunities in rural areas.
Funding for rural health care facilities.
Funding for telehealth.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code LBR
16. Specific lobbying issues
S.346 - Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2023; support for establishing an office of the special investigator for competition matters at USDA.
Issues other than legislation:
Strengthening federal antitrust enforcement.
Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform.
Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages.
Issues pertaining to the health and safety of farm workers and rural communities.
Issues pertaining to ensuring farmers, ranchers, and independent repair professionals have access to parts and service materials needed to repair farm equipment.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Labor - Dept of (DOL), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Justice - Dept of (DOJ)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRD
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R.5081 - Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2023; support for requiring beef products bearing "Made in the USA" or substantially similar labels be exclusively born, raised, slaughtered, and packaged in the United States.
S.52 - American Beef Labeling Act of 2023; support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef.
S.901 - Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023; support for providing authority for USDA APHIS, FSIS, and FAS to preemptively negotiate regionalization agreements for known animal disease threats.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Commerce - Dept of (DOC)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code COM
16. Specific lobbying issues
S.2542 - Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2023; support for a new competitive grants and loan program to advance connectivity across acreage and updates to quinquennial Census of Agriculture to include questions on adoption of broadband access services.
Issues other than legislation:
Ensure competitively priced, high-speed broadband, and wireless access to the internet for rural America.
Ensure affordable broadband internet options for low-income communities.
Prioritize physical infrastructure funding for new broadband projects.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Commerce - Dept of (DOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Transportation - Dept of (DOT)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code IMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Issues other than legislation:
Issues pertaining to agriculture workforce and immigration reform.
Issues pertaining to fair and predictable H-2A program wages.
Issues pertaining to the health and safety of farm workers and rural communities.
Issues pertaining to Northern Central American countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador) and the H-2A program.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Labor - Dept of (DOL), Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Natl Security Council (NSC)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
S.2071 - Reliable Rail Service Act of 2023; support for statutorily defining common carrier obligations and establishing specific criteria for the STB to consider when assessing obligation violations by rail carriers.
Issues other than legislation:
Support for increased funding and initiatives to upgrade transportation infrastructure.
Support for reliable and cost-competitive freight rail service.
Support for competitive rail switching reform.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Transportation - Dept of (DOT), Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Surface Transportation Board (STB)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENG
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R.1608 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for provisions permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent.
H.R.2434 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline.
H.R.5051 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support for reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increased programmatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
S.785 - Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent.
S.944 - Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023; support for increasing the minimum research octane number (RON) at 98, requirements for added octane value reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline.
S.2452 - Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023; support for updates to USDA's BioPreferred program, increases in federal procurement of biobased-only contracts and purchases.
S.2594 - Rural Energy for America Program Modernization Act of 2023; support reauthorizing the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), increasing program cost-share, streamlining application processes, and increasing programmatic emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
S.2635 - Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023; support for incentives to automakers to manufacture flex fuel vehicles.
S.2707 - Nationwide Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act of 2023; support for permitting the year-round sale of ethanol fuel blends above 10 percent, prohibiting remove of 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol.
Issues other than legislation:
Issues pertaining to support for higher-level blends of ethanol.
Issues pertaining to support for sustainable aviation fuel.
Issues pertaining to support for the development of renewable energy infrastructure.
Issues pertaining to support for the Rural Energy For America Program (REAP) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Energy - Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Surface Transportation Board (STB)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code INS
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R.3478 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk.
S.1690 - Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program Act of 2023; support for providing crop insurance premium discounts to producers who plant cover crops or use other practices that benefit soil health and reduce risk.
S.2598 - Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act of 2023; support for improving access to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) Program for small, mid-sized, beginning, specialty crop, and diversified producers.
Issues other than legislation:
Issues pertaining to crop insurance, including funding and prioritization.
Issues pertaining to crop insurance premium discounts for cover crops, soil health.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Aaron |
Shier |
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Layla |
Soberanis |
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Michael |
Stranz |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
Name | Address |
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
Name | Address |
Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
1 | 3 | 5 |
2 | 4 | 6 |
CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE
29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery,
extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
Lobbyist Name | Description of Offense(s) |