Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today marking the fifth anniversary of the landmark Varnum decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to recognize same-sex marriages. The decision made Iowa the third state in the nation to grant marriage equality for LGBT couples.

"Iowa is no stranger to leading the fight for greater civil rights, whether it is based on race, gender or sexual orientation. And five years ago today, our great state again stood up and said enough is enough - we believe all couples, no matter straight or gay, should be allowed to marry who they love. Today's anniversary allows us time to pause to look back and see all that has been accomplished in moving marriage equality forward. It also reinforces the importance of continuing the fight for marriage equality so our LGBT brothers and sisters nationwide can have the same protections as Iowans.

"The Varnum decision made Iowa a more welcoming place for everyone to live, work and raise a family. Now it is time for this basic civil right to be granted to LGBT couples nationwide."

DES MOINES, IA (04/03/2014)(readMedia)-- Tickets for the much-anticipated Iowa State Fair Grandstand shows will go on sale Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets. The 2014 line-up is presented by U.S. Cellular.

This year's line-up includes an array of performers including multi-platinum rock veterans Foreigner and Styx, alternative hard rock artists Chevelle and Halestorm and seven-time Grammy award-winning country trio Lady Antebellum.

Print at home discounted admission tickets are on sale now at www.iowastatefair.org. Fairgoers can purchase gate admission tickets online and print their own tickets at no extra charge. Beginning April 12, Fairgoers can also purchase Fair Play Packs, Midway tickets, Zipline passes and 11-day punch cards online and have them mailed to them directly for a nominal fee.

Tickets for all concert and track events will go on sale Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000. All concert events are reserved seating; track events are general admission. Beginning July 7, the Fair's Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday for walk-up orders only (assuming tickets remain; no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include Fair admission. Gate admission must be purchased separately.

A complete listing of event dates, times and ticket prices follows:

2014 Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up

presented by U.S. Cellular

Thursday, August 7

Newsboys with special guest Matthew West, 8 p.m., $30

Friday, August 8

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR 2014 starring THE TURTLES featuring FLO & EDDIE, CHUCK NEGRON formerly of Three Dog Night, Gary U.S. Bonds, MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS, GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS, 8 p.m., $25

Saturday, August 9

Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry with special guest Plain White T's, 8 p.m. $39

Sunday, August 10

Winged Sprint Cars, 10:30 a.m. Hot Laps, 11 a.m. Races, $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Sunday, August 10

The Stars of A&E's Duck Dynasty A Conversation with the Robertsons: Willie, Korie and Si, 8 p.m., $32

Monday, August 11

Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks and Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks, 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6 p.m. Races, $17 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Tuesday, August 12

Florida Georgia Line with special guest Colt Ford, 8 p.m., $40

Wednesday, August 13

Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull, 2 p.m., $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under. Sponsored by Iowa Farmer Today

Thursday, August 14

Jake Owen's Days of Gold Tour starring Jake Owen & Eli Young Band with special guest The Cadillac Three, 7 p.m., $40

Friday, August 15

Chevelle and Halestorm with special guest to be announced, 8 p.m., $35

Saturday, August 16

Demolition Derby: Modified Weld, Stock Weld and Compact Weld; Figure Eight: Front Wheel Drive and Rear Wheel Drive, 11:30 a.m., $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Saturday, August 16

Lady Antebellum with special guests Billy Currington and Kelsey K, 8 p.m., $49

Sunday, August 17

Foreigner and Styx with special guest to be announced, 8 p.m., $39

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at www.iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

* * *

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2014– Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced significant progress on implementing the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill), which President Obama signed into law on February 7. The 2014 Farm Bill reforms agricultural policy, reduces the deficit, and helps grow the economy.

"We are making tremendous progress implementing the new Farm Bill," said Secretary Vilsack. "This law is critically important to America's farmers and ranchers and to our nation's economy. Every USDA agency is working diligently to implement the Farm Bill's new provisions quickly and effectively."

With 12 titles and over 450 provisions, the Farm Bill drives food, farm, conservation, trade, research, energy policies and more. Implementing such a large piece of legislation within the mandated timeline requires a coordinated effort across all areas of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Immediately after enactment, USDA established a farm bill implementation team composed of key sub-cabinet officials and experts from every mission area of the Department to put new programs in place and make mandated reforms to existing programs.

USDA also launched a website that provides details on Farm Bill implementation in one convenient location and the Economic Research Service launched a website highlighting some of the economic implications of the new programs and provisions.

In the weeks since enactment, USDA held 12 outreach and listening sessions to share information and hear from stakeholders on the 2014 Farm Bill implementation process.

Important progress has been made on every title of the Farm Bill including updates to risk management tools, modifications to farm loan programs, announcements regarding available funds for agricultural research and much more.

USDA has made providing long-awaited disaster relief to farmers and ranchers a top priority and quick implementation on relief programs is within sight. Beginning April 15, producers will be able to enroll in the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.

USDA is also highly focused on providing timely educational materials on new risk management programs to farmers so they can make informed business decisions.  Announcements on new agriculture research partnerships, conservation and nutrition programs, and other Farm Bill provisions will continue to be made in the coming weeks and months.

To stay up-to-date on USDA's Farm Bill implementation progress, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

TITLE I - Commodity Programs

• Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance: USDA will publish a final rule to implement the disaster assistance provisions and begin sign-up by April 15, 2014.
• County and Regional Loan Rates: USDA issued a press release on March 28, 2014 announcing county and regional loan rates.
• Extension of Programs: On March 28, 2014, FSA published on the Federal Register notices for the extension of the following programs:  (1) Marketing Assistance Loans; (2) Milk Income Loss Contract; (3) Dairy Indemnity Payment Program; (4) Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program; and (5) Sugar.
• Dairy Forward Pricing Program: Final rule published on March 21, 2014, that re-established the Dairy Forward Pricing Program. 

TITLE II - Conservation

• Conservation Programs: Applications are currently being accepted for the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program. 

TITLE III - Trade

• Market Access Program (MAP): During the week of April 7, 2014, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will announce 2014 MAP funding.
  Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program (FMD): During the week of April 7, 2014, FAS will announce 2014 FMD funding.

TITLE IV - Nutrition Programs

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Payments: On March 5, 2014, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released an Implementation Memorandum to States on the elimination of standard utility allowances in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for LIHEAP payments less than $20. 
• SNAP-related Provisions: On March 21, 2014, FNS released an Implementation Memorandum to States communicating major SNAP related provisions of the Act.
  Community Food Projects: On February 27, 2014, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released a Notice of Funding Availability for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program, with $5 million available. 
  Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): On March 10, 2014, FNS released an Implementation Memorandum to States on phasing out the eligibility of women, infants and children.
  Multiagency Taskforce on Commodity Programs: On March 14, 2014, the Under Secretary of Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services issued a memorandum to solicit names for a multiagency task force to provide coordination and direction for commodity programs.  

TITLE V - Credit

• Farm Loan Programs/Direct Farm Ownership: On February 7, 2014, FSA implemented changes in the interest rate on Direct Farm Ownership loans that are made in conjunction with other lenders.
• Modifications to Farm Loan Programs: On March 24, 2014, FSA issued a news release in announcing changes to Farm Loan Programs as part of the Farm Bill.
• Microloans: On March 26, 2014, FSA issued an agency directive implementing non-discretionary microloan provisions.

TITLE VI - Rural Development

• Value Added Producer Grants (VAPG): On March 25, 2014, Rural Development published a notice in the Federal Register extending the application period for Fiscal Year 2013 and 2014 funding for VAPG, with up to $25.5 million available for these grants.
• Definition of Rural Housing: On March 13, 2014, Rural Development issued guidance to State Directors, field staff and stakeholders on implementing new eligibility requirements regarding the definition of rural housing.

TITLE VII - Research and Related Matters

• Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative: On March 17, 2014, NIFA released a Notice of Funding Availability for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, with $20 million available in FY 2014. 
  Specialty Crop Research Initiative: On March 17, 2014, NIFA released a Notice of Funding Availability for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, with $76.8 million available in FY 2014. 
  Citrus Disease Subcommittee: A subcommittee has been formally established within the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, under the Specialty Crop Committee, and solicitation letters for nominations were issued March 17, 2014. 
  Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR): Letters soliciting nominations to the FFAR Board were mailed to interested parties and a Federal Register notice was submitted for publication on March 31, 2014.
  Budget Submission and Funding: On March 10, 2014, REE submitted its first Budget Submission and Funding report to Congress.

TITLE VIII - Forestry

• Insect and Disease Infestation: On March 19, 2014, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell sent a letter to all state governors notifying them of the opportunity to submit requests for designating their priority insect and disease areas for treatment.

TITLE X - Horticulture

• Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention: On April 3, 2014, USDA announced $48.1 million in funding for 383 projects to help prevent the introduction or spread of plan pests and diseases.
  National Clean Plant Network: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced a Request for Applications (RFA) on March 24, 2014 for the National Clean Plant Network, with $5 million available.
  Bulk Shipments of Apples to Canada: On April 3, 2014, AMS will publish a final rule in the Federal Register amending regulations under the Export Apple Act to allow bulk containers to be shipped to Canada without U.S. inspection.

TITLE XI - Crop Insurance

• Premium Amounts for Catastrophic Risk Protection (CAT): During the first week of April, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) will issue documents to revise the premium rates charged for CAT coverage to be based on the average historical "loss ratio" plus a reasonable reserve.

TITLE XII - Miscellaneous

• Catfish Inspection: On March 14, 2014, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) submitted the first status report to Congress on the development of the final rule establishing a catfish inspection program.

As a child, I always looked forward to the carefree joy of summertime. I remember the long days of playing outside at a nearby park until I needed to come home for lunch.  Unfortunately, many of our nation's children do not experience the simple joys of summer.  In fact, far too many are left worrying where their next breakfast or lunch will come from when schools are dismissed for summer break.

During the school year, about 31 million American children receive school meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program every day. About 21 million of those children receive meals at a discounted rate or for free, based on their family's income.  When summer rolls around, though, only about 3.5 million of these children participate in USDA's summer meals programs.

That means millions of eligible low-income children are at risk of going hungry during the summer months. And we know that to thrive and reach their highest potential, children need good nutrition all year long.

USDA's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is working to fill this hunger gap for children who qualify for free and reduced price meals during the school year. The program serves free healthy meals to eligible children ages 18 and under, and is made possible through the efforts of national, state, and local partners, including a cadre of energized volunteers.

While USDA has worked to increase access to summer meals for low-income children for many years, SFSP began receiving priority attention in 2013.  Last summer, USDA employed a new tactic of working with partners to deliver intensive, targeted technical assistance on SFSP in five states.  The result was a historic increase in the number of meals served, nationwide?7 million more than the previous year!  We hope to continue building on last year's successes with our state and local partners in 2014, and move closer to closing the summer hunger gap.

The key to success this year will be expanding the number of sites open for summer meals. We must spread the word to schools, parks and recreation departments, libraries, and faith and other community organizations across the nation; their participation is critical for the continued success of SFSP. The deadlines to become Summer Food Service Program sponsors vary by State, and begin as early as April 15. Program sponsors oversee and provide meals to summer sites.  In return, USDA, through the States, reimburses program sponsors for the meals served to children.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise when I say that galvanizing hundreds of faith-based groups, civic groups, recreation centers, food banks, schools, other non-profit organizations, and volunteers takes time, effort and commitment on all sides.  For any community that treasures its youth (and I haven't met one that doesn't), we must organize now to fight hunger this summer.

If you or your organization is interested in helping us reduce the risk of hunger among our nation's youth, visit our website, www.summerfood.usda.gov. The summer meals outreach toolkit includes sample outreach plans, templates, customizable flyers, door hangers, letters to parents, examples of site activities, best practices, and more.  State representatives are also available to answer questions and facilitate sponsor enrollment and site registration.

This year, let's work together to make sure every child in our great nation has a hunger-free summer.