Grow it Here, Make it Here

P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

March 12, 2012

1 Min Read
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Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has introduced legislation entitled, “Grow it Here, Make it Here,” to advance the bio-based manufacturing industry, using agricultural goods to make value-added products. 

The legislation will increase access to capital for bio-based manufacturers, improve marketing of bio-based products, spur the commercialization of new agricultural innovations and strengthen USDA’s Bio-Preferred Program.  The legislation would: 

  • Strengthen the Bio-Preferred Program, which certifies and labels products so consumers can choose to purchase goods made of agriculture materials and provides a preference for these products for government purchases.

  • Spur the commercialization of new agricultural innovations by streamlining and focusing resources to help new bio-based projects move from the development phase to the commercialization phase.

  • Increase access to capital for bio-based manufacturers by expanding the USDA’s Bio-Refinery Loan Guarantee Program so bio-based manufacturers have access to loans to help finance new operations or expand existing ones.

About the Author

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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