Urban Ag Grant Applications and El Niño to La Niña Year

**The USDA is accepting grant applications to support urban agriculture and innovative production.

Natural Resources Conservation Chief, Terry Cosby, says, "These projects will add to the important work communities are doing to build food security in underserved areas."

Since 2020, the grants have invested more than $46.8 million in 186 projects across the country.

Applications are due April 9.

**The 2024 growing season is expected to bring a unique combination of through early summer before switching to La Niña in late summer through early fall.

2023 ended with a strong El Niño, which is weakening, but the long-term impacts will be felt throughout the growing season.

The U.S weather patterns will likely shift back to normal between April and July, followed by La Niña through September.

**Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley is increasing his opposition to the EPA’s tailpipe emissions proposal, citing a new cost estimate by the Congressional Budget Office.

Grassley says the CBO released a ten-year budget and economic outlook projecting a $224 billion increase in the cumulative deficit caused by higher electric vehicle tax credit claims and reduced gas tax revenues.

He says the American taxpayers have not voted for and can’t afford the EPA’s tailpipe standards.