Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is currently touring rural America on his “Back to Our Roots” RV tour. The goal is to gather public input on how to restore prosperity …
Funding to Encourage SNAP Participants to Purchase Healthy Foods
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced 32 grants totaling $16.8 million to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables. The program is …
Global Food Prices Hit Three-year High
Global food prices reached a three-year high in July, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The FAO Food Price Index in July averaged 179.1 points in July …
Cargill Purchases Southern States Cooperative Animal Feed Business
Cargill has reached an agreement to acquire the animal feed business of Southern States Cooperative. Withholding terms of the deal, Cargill released a statement last week saying it expects the …
Monsanto Addresses Dicamba Issues in Open Letter
In an open letter to customers, Monsanto says the company is committed to supporting farmers at every stage of the growing season. Monsanto, the maker of the Roundup Ready 2 …
Cuba, Houston, Sign Port Agreement
The Port Authority of Houston, Texas and its counterpart in Cuba have signed an agreement of “friendship and commercial cooperation.” The agreement between the two launches an opportunity to “continue …
Immigration Bill Won’t Affect Temporary Workers
The sponsor of an immigration bill suspected to reduce the agriculture labor force in the U.S. says his legislation will not impact temporary workers, which are often used in agriculture …
EPA to Reject Ethanol Rules Change
The Environmental Protection Agency will reject proposed changes to the point of obligation for complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard away from refiners. Politico reports that a Trump administration official …
Organic Family Farmers Need Strong Standards and Enforcement
American family farmers and ranchers grow and raise organic foods for the nation under strict standards. Those standards are set by the National Organic Program under the guidance of the …
Farmland Values Unclear in the Future
Farmland is one of the most significant assets producers have in their portfolio. Strong land values are critical to maintaining strong equity positions for producers and good collateral for ag …
Ex-Trade Negotiator Says Trump “Misguided” on NAFTA
The Trump Administration’s goal to reduce trade deficits by renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement is not a good one. That’s the opinion of former top Obama-era trade negotiator …
“Good-Guy” Fungus to Take on Killer of Oaks and Ornamental Crops
A beneficial soil fungus could offer a bio-based approach to battling Phytophthora ramorum, a pathogen that kills oaks, other tree species, and woody ornamentals. BioWorks, Inc. of Victor, New York, is …
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Proclaims National Farmers Market Week
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has proclaimed Aug. 6-12 to be National Farmers Market Week. This is the eighteenth year USDA has supported local producers by encouraging families to …
Almond Board: Harvest Dust Tips
Harvest dust is top of mind for almond growers, as they move into the harvest season. Almond Board director for Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Dr. Gabriele Ludwig has some tips …