Michael Happ
@michaelhapp.bsky.social
Minnesota-based, Illinois raised. Interests include climate, agriculture, public policy, wildlife, and passenger rail. Views my own.
Reposted by Michael Happ
This is a very good idea.
Your list is probably a little different from someone else’s because our bodies & tolerances vary (ex: those of us with Raynaud’s 🥶).
Find what works for your body and trips. It might take some fine tuning, but IMO it’s so worth it.
Winter biking is awesome.
Your list is probably a little different from someone else’s because our bodies & tolerances vary (ex: those of us with Raynaud’s 🥶).
Find what works for your body and trips. It might take some fine tuning, but IMO it’s so worth it.
Winter biking is awesome.
Hey winter cyclists: the smartest thing I've done after threatening to do it for too many years was actually write down what to wear based on temperature. This helped immensely last year, and winter is coming 🥶
November 25, 2025 at 3:35 AM
This is a very good idea.
Your list is probably a little different from someone else’s because our bodies & tolerances vary (ex: those of us with Raynaud’s 🥶).
Find what works for your body and trips. It might take some fine tuning, but IMO it’s so worth it.
Winter biking is awesome.
Your list is probably a little different from someone else’s because our bodies & tolerances vary (ex: those of us with Raynaud’s 🥶).
Find what works for your body and trips. It might take some fine tuning, but IMO it’s so worth it.
Winter biking is awesome.
Reposted by Michael Happ
Today is Give to the Max Day in Minnesota!
Donations to IATP are the powerful, renewable resource that keep us moving forward.
Join us this Give to the Max Day in supporting a food system that feeds kids, supports farmers, and helps communities thrive ➡️ give.mn/yzah5f
Donations to IATP are the powerful, renewable resource that keep us moving forward.
Join us this Give to the Max Day in supporting a food system that feeds kids, supports farmers, and helps communities thrive ➡️ give.mn/yzah5f
Support IATP on GTMD2025!
Fresh Local Food on Every Child's Plate
give.mn
November 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Today is Give to the Max Day in Minnesota!
Donations to IATP are the powerful, renewable resource that keep us moving forward.
Join us this Give to the Max Day in supporting a food system that feeds kids, supports farmers, and helps communities thrive ➡️ give.mn/yzah5f
Donations to IATP are the powerful, renewable resource that keep us moving forward.
Join us this Give to the Max Day in supporting a food system that feeds kids, supports farmers, and helps communities thrive ➡️ give.mn/yzah5f
Reposted by Michael Happ
New today: at @ewgofficial.bsky.social, we just released our updated Conservation Database. We now have conservation funding by practice for multiple different conservation programs, down to the county level for most programs. Found over $31B went to farmers 2017-2024. www.ewg.org/news-insight...
Updated EWG database finds over $31B spent on U.S. farm conservation programs
MINNEAPOLIS – Between 2017 and 2024, U.S.
www.ewg.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
New today: at @ewgofficial.bsky.social, we just released our updated Conservation Database. We now have conservation funding by practice for multiple different conservation programs, down to the county level for most programs. Found over $31B went to farmers 2017-2024. www.ewg.org/news-insight...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a deal with China that would open up trade on certain goods. But many questions remain about the details of the agreement, leaving farmers with more uncertainty. Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/china-trade-...
Is the deal with China an agreement or a handshake?
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a deal with China that would open up trade on precious minerals, lower tariffs, and increase agricultural purchases.
www.iatp.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a deal with China that would open up trade on certain goods. But many questions remain about the details of the agreement, leaving farmers with more uncertainty. Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/china-trade-...
Reposted by Michael Happ
The appropriations bill passed Wednesday contains several provisions that could impact the USDA’s plans to move staff and close field offices. buff.ly/5sIEEnW
Deal to End Government Shutdown May Also Slow USDA Reorganization
The appropriations bill passed Wednesday contains several provisions that could impact the agency’s plans to move staff and close field offices.
buff.ly
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The appropriations bill passed Wednesday contains several provisions that could impact the USDA’s plans to move staff and close field offices. buff.ly/5sIEEnW
Reposted by Michael Happ
The Senate’s deal to reopen the government has a number of problems that will hurt farmers and rural communities. The Senate attaches a 12-month Farm Bill extension to the deal, setting up the possibility for more chaos a year from now. 🧵
If I’m reading the senate deal correctly, they’re planning to get rid of payment limits on USDA conservation programs like EQIP.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The Senate’s deal to reopen the government has a number of problems that will hurt farmers and rural communities. The Senate attaches a 12-month Farm Bill extension to the deal, setting up the possibility for more chaos a year from now. 🧵
If I’m reading the senate deal correctly, they’re planning to get rid of payment limits on USDA conservation programs like EQIP.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
November 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
If I’m reading the senate deal correctly, they’re planning to get rid of payment limits on USDA conservation programs like EQIP.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
When thousands of farmers get turned away from EQIP each year, this change would funnel even more federal money to the biggest farms while turning away small farms.
Reposted by Michael Happ
"Through a self-inflicted, perfect storm of damaging actions, the Trump administration has exposed the vulnerabilities of a fragile agriculture economy, highly dependent on exports of a few crops and reliant on immigrant labor." Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/beyond-soybe...
Beyond soybeans and China, the U.S. farm economy is broken
The plight of U.S. soybean farmers and lost exports to China has splashed across headlines this fall. Trump administration trade chaos has exposed deeper problems with an export-focused agriculture ec...
www.iatp.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
"Through a self-inflicted, perfect storm of damaging actions, the Trump administration has exposed the vulnerabilities of a fragile agriculture economy, highly dependent on exports of a few crops and reliant on immigrant labor." Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/beyond-soybe...
Reposted by Michael Happ
The shutdown, combined with loss of USDA staff under Sec Rollins, is making it hard for farmers to plan for next year. Tariff and trade uncertainty + no Farm Bill making it even harder.
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard dailyyonder.com/government-s...
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard dailyyonder.com/government-s...
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard | The Daily Yonder
For Wendy Johnson, a livestock and organic grain farmer in Charles City, Iowa, October is usually the time she visits her local Natural Resources
dailyyonder.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The shutdown, combined with loss of USDA staff under Sec Rollins, is making it hard for farmers to plan for next year. Tariff and trade uncertainty + no Farm Bill making it even harder.
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard dailyyonder.com/government-s...
Government Shutdown, Trade Wars Hit Farmers' Bottom Line Hard dailyyonder.com/government-s...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Forrest Smith, the only National Park Service engineer cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, lost his contract, leaving 93 orphaned wells on park lands unmanaged. These leaking wells release methane and toxins, threatening human health and the environment.
He Alone Tracked Leaky Oil Wells in National Parks. He Was Let Go.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Forrest Smith, the only National Park Service engineer cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, lost his contract, leaving 93 orphaned wells on park lands unmanaged. These leaking wells release methane and toxins, threatening human health and the environment.
Reposted by Michael Happ
California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard gives credits for biogas projects at large factory farms around the country. The credits subsidize some of the largest dairy and hog operations, incentivizing expansion. New map shows which farms are tapping CA credits. www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2025/10/28/n...
New Map Catalogues Nationwide CA-Funded Factory Farm Gas Network
Lawsuit challenges key California climate program incentivizing factory farm pollution nationwide
www.foodandwaterwatch.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard gives credits for biogas projects at large factory farms around the country. The credits subsidize some of the largest dairy and hog operations, incentivizing expansion. New map shows which farms are tapping CA credits. www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2025/10/28/n...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Timely opinion piece from Pasa Sustainable Ag via @LancasterFarming. The next #farmbill must rebuild trust between farmers & the federal government. Without that, policy won’t meet the real-world needs of producers. #AgriculturePolicy #sustainableag www.lancasterfarming.com/farming-news...
Farm Bill Must Restore Trust in Federal Government [Opinion]
A member of Pasa Sustainable Agriculture urges members of Congress to strive for a Farm Bill that restores Americans’ trust in the federal government.
www.lancasterfarming.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Timely opinion piece from Pasa Sustainable Ag via @LancasterFarming. The next #farmbill must rebuild trust between farmers & the federal government. Without that, policy won’t meet the real-world needs of producers. #AgriculturePolicy #sustainableag www.lancasterfarming.com/farming-news...
Are we living in a post Farm Bill world? We try to answer this question and more in our latest Q&A.
Two years past the current Farm Bill's original expiration date, the future of the next Farm Bill is still unclear. In a new Q&A, IATP's Michael Happ explains what we know, what we don't, and what might be coming next: www.iatp.org/farm-bill-qa...
Q&A: What's next for the Farm Bill?
On top of trade turmoil and a U.S. government shutdown, Congress has still not passed a new Farm Bill, the primary legislation that sets a majority of U.S. food and farm policy and funding. The future...
www.iatp.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Are we living in a post Farm Bill world? We try to answer this question and more in our latest Q&A.
Reposted by Michael Happ
ICYMI - Among the many shutdown casualties is the Packers and Stockyards division. It's the latest blow to ag antitrust enforcement after USDA canceled its Farmer Seed Liaison cooperative agreement early last month.
"The shutdown is just the latest blow to agriculture antimonopoly enforcement, as the Trump administration quietly dismantles Biden-era projects."
Read more in @clairek.bsky.social's Food & Power: www.foodandpower.net/latest/shutd...
Read more in @clairek.bsky.social's Food & Power: www.foodandpower.net/latest/shutd...
Shutdown Hits Packers and Stockyards Division, USDA Cancels More Antimonopoly Projects — Food & Power
The shutdown is the latest blow to agriculture antimonopoly work, as the Trump administration cancels Biden-era projects promoting seed competition and state-level antitrust enforcement.
www.foodandpower.net
October 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
ICYMI - Among the many shutdown casualties is the Packers and Stockyards division. It's the latest blow to ag antitrust enforcement after USDA canceled its Farmer Seed Liaison cooperative agreement early last month.
Reposted by Michael Happ
We are #hiring! IATP is seeking a policy analyst with demonstrated expertise in agricultural finance, climate risk assessment, and farm policy to join either our Minneapolis, MN or our Washington D.C. office. Find the full job description and instructions to apply here: www.iatp.org/about/jobs-a...
October 27, 2025 at 6:30 PM
We are #hiring! IATP is seeking a policy analyst with demonstrated expertise in agricultural finance, climate risk assessment, and farm policy to join either our Minneapolis, MN or our Washington D.C. office. Find the full job description and instructions to apply here: www.iatp.org/about/jobs-a...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Trump is certainly showing who he is to farmers and ranchers. Of course, ranchers don't set consumer prices - that's controlled by the big 4 companies (JBS/Tyson/Cargill/Natl Beef) that dominate the beef sector, several just settle price-fixing cases. www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/t...
Trump says U.S. cattle ranchers 'don't understand' tariffs after some slam Argentine beef plan
President Donald Trump said U.S. cattle ranchers "don't understand" how they have benefitted from his tariffs, adding that they "have to get their prices down."
www.cnbc.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Trump is certainly showing who he is to farmers and ranchers. Of course, ranchers don't set consumer prices - that's controlled by the big 4 companies (JBS/Tyson/Cargill/Natl Beef) that dominate the beef sector, several just settle price-fixing cases. www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/t...
Reposted by Michael Happ
“Put America first”: GOP senators are fuming at Trump’s idea to import Argentinian beef to lower US prices.
Lawmakers face blowback from angry ranchers who were already alarmed by Trump’s $40 billion bailout of Argentina — even as the country undercuts US soybean farmers over trade with China.
Lawmakers face blowback from angry ranchers who were already alarmed by Trump’s $40 billion bailout of Argentina — even as the country undercuts US soybean farmers over trade with China.
‘Put America first’: GOP senators fume at Trump’s idea to import Argentinian beef
Farm-state lawmakers and allies of the president are rushing to get him to reverse course.
www.politico.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
“Put America first”: GOP senators are fuming at Trump’s idea to import Argentinian beef to lower US prices.
Lawmakers face blowback from angry ranchers who were already alarmed by Trump’s $40 billion bailout of Argentina — even as the country undercuts US soybean farmers over trade with China.
Lawmakers face blowback from angry ranchers who were already alarmed by Trump’s $40 billion bailout of Argentina — even as the country undercuts US soybean farmers over trade with China.
It's a risky time for farmers, and yet Republicans in Congress want to take away yet another income stream for farmers.
The Conservation Reserve Program provides income for the farmer while keeping over 20 million acres' worth of grain off the market. Important in a time of low grain prices.
The Conservation Reserve Program provides income for the farmer while keeping over 20 million acres' worth of grain off the market. Important in a time of low grain prices.
The Conservation Reserve Program, which pays farmers to take some land out of production, isn’t just good for the environment, it can also provide financial stability in a volatile market. But between the Farm Bill expiration & government shutdown, CRP is under threat: www.iatp.org/hedging-your...
Hedging your bets: Congress threatens to take away key farmer program for economic and conservation resilience
CRP provides farmers with some certainty in the face of uncertain markets
www.iatp.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It's a risky time for farmers, and yet Republicans in Congress want to take away yet another income stream for farmers.
The Conservation Reserve Program provides income for the farmer while keeping over 20 million acres' worth of grain off the market. Important in a time of low grain prices.
The Conservation Reserve Program provides income for the farmer while keeping over 20 million acres' worth of grain off the market. Important in a time of low grain prices.
Reposted by Michael Happ
Trump's claim that he has a solution to higher beef prices has people wondering - is he talking about more imports? And who benefits from that approach?
"Why is it that beef has to remain `affordable' at the cost of cow-calf operations?"
www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/...
"Why is it that beef has to remain `affordable' at the cost of cow-calf operations?"
www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/...
Beef Producers, It's Time to Speak Up
Comments from the Trump administration have caught beef producers' attention. Prices have been driven by low inventory, and beef producers prefer it to be that way.
www.dtnpf.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Trump's claim that he has a solution to higher beef prices has people wondering - is he talking about more imports? And who benefits from that approach?
"Why is it that beef has to remain `affordable' at the cost of cow-calf operations?"
www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/...
"Why is it that beef has to remain `affordable' at the cost of cow-calf operations?"
www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/...
Reposted by Michael Happ
ICE kidnapped a 7th-grader with a pending asylum claim and spirited him out of state without notifying his parents, seemingly with the cooperation of the local police in Everett, MA.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...
October 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
ICE kidnapped a 7th-grader with a pending asylum claim and spirited him out of state without notifying his parents, seemingly with the cooperation of the local police in Everett, MA.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...
Reposted by Michael Happ
I raise a few questions about McDonald's commitment to regen ag here. @nsac-sustainableag.bsky.social puts this initiative in context, including major cuts to #USDA staff managing programs that could help farmers. Great reporting by @clairek.bsky.social www.foodandpower.net/latest/mcdon...
How McDonald’s Latest Regenerative Beef Investment Falls Short — Food & Power
RFK Jr. praised McDonald’s $200M donation as the Trump administration cuts USDA staff that support rangeland conservation. Rather than fund short-term projects, advocates want McDonald’s to pay ranche...
www.foodandpower.net
October 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I raise a few questions about McDonald's commitment to regen ag here. @nsac-sustainableag.bsky.social puts this initiative in context, including major cuts to #USDA staff managing programs that could help farmers. Great reporting by @clairek.bsky.social www.foodandpower.net/latest/mcdon...
Reposted by Michael Happ
🗞️The government shutdown is hurting farmers nationwide. Vital USDA services (loans, disaster aid, conservation funding, & food safety) are halted or at risk. Congress & the President must act now. Farmers can’t wait! Read NSAC's press comment:
sustainableagriculture.net/blog/comment...
sustainableagriculture.net/blog/comment...
Comment: NSAC Laments Government Shutdown as It Harms Farmers, Halts Progress
NSAC responded to the October 2025 government shutdown, warning that it threatens vital USDA services such as farm loans, disaster aid, and food safety inspections. NSAC urged Congress and the Preside...
sustainableagriculture.net
October 1, 2025 at 6:52 PM
🗞️The government shutdown is hurting farmers nationwide. Vital USDA services (loans, disaster aid, conservation funding, & food safety) are halted or at risk. Congress & the President must act now. Farmers can’t wait! Read NSAC's press comment:
sustainableagriculture.net/blog/comment...
sustainableagriculture.net/blog/comment...
Reposted by Michael Happ
Toxic PFAS sludge is being spread on farmland, contaminating our food and water. EPA was set to take action, but a rider slipped into the Interior funding bill would stop that work cold.
thenationaldesk.com/news/spotlig...
thenationaldesk.com/news/spotlig...
Congress tries to shut down action on dangerous PFAS in fertilizer 'in the dark of night'
Earlier this month, we reported about a potential health risk being spread on American farms and invading our food and milk supply. Fertilizer made from human w
thenationaldesk.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Toxic PFAS sludge is being spread on farmland, contaminating our food and water. EPA was set to take action, but a rider slipped into the Interior funding bill would stop that work cold.
thenationaldesk.com/news/spotlig...
thenationaldesk.com/news/spotlig...
Reposted by Michael Happ
IATP is excited to be part of Farm Aid next week — if the festival can take place.
We support Farm Aid's stance defending the rights of workers and hope the University of Minnesota comes to the bargaining table and the Farm Aid concert can go forward.
We support Farm Aid's stance defending the rights of workers and hope the University of Minnesota comes to the bargaining table and the Farm Aid concert can go forward.
We are urging the University of Minnesota to settle this contract quickly so that Farm Aid 40 can proceed as intended — to celebrate four decades of farmers, music, and solidarity.
The world is watching, and together we can make sure this anniversary is remembered for unity, not division.
The world is watching, and together we can make sure this anniversary is remembered for unity, not division.
September 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
IATP is excited to be part of Farm Aid next week — if the festival can take place.
We support Farm Aid's stance defending the rights of workers and hope the University of Minnesota comes to the bargaining table and the Farm Aid concert can go forward.
We support Farm Aid's stance defending the rights of workers and hope the University of Minnesota comes to the bargaining table and the Farm Aid concert can go forward.