by Jennifer Ray, California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom One of the great challenges of farm-to-school programs is taking the message from rural communities, “preaching to the choir,” if …
NIFA Focus on Two New Projects
NIFA Grants Focus on Youth Farm Safety and Agricultural Careers for People with Disabilities The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $832,830 in …
Rural America at a Glance
by Lorin Kusmin, USDA Economic Research Service USDA has released the Rural America at a Glance, 2016 Edition. This report highlights the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions …
Weak La Nina Weather Pattern Officially Arrives
Government weather forecasters say La Nina has officially arrived and will likely affect American weather patterns into next year. La Nina is the periodic cooling of water in the central …
NASCAR Will Surpass 10 Million Miles on Biofuel
At the end of its current season, NASCAR will surpass 10 million competition miles on Sunoco (sun-know’-co) Green E15, a biofuel blended with 15 percent American-made ethanol. The miles have …
Canada Makes Big Investment in Dairy Industry
The Dairy Farmers of Canada organization was very happy with the government’s plans to invest $250 million dollars into the nation’s dairy farms. The government will also contribute $100 million …
EPA Will Not Change Biofuels Program
Oil industry groups recently filed several petitions with the Environmental Protection Agency requesting changes to American biofuels programs. The EPA announced this week it will deny all of the petitions. …
E.U. Advisers Pushing for U.S.-Style Insurance Program
A European Union commission is looking into ways of protecting its farmers from environmental disasters and large price swings. To accomplish the goal, a group of experts are recommending that …
Japan Passes TPP
Japan’s lower House of Parliament passed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement this week. A German web publication says experts view the move as an empty gesture because U.S. President-elect Donald …
Farm Groups Begin Lame-Duck TPP Push
Farm Groups are beginning a final push for action on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement in the lame-duck session of Congress, but the uphill climb is getting steeper. Senate …
Dairy Industry Segment Doesn’t Want TPP
Many Ag industry groups like the American Farm Bureau and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association have recently been strong supporters of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement. A segment within the …
NACD Statement on the 2016 Election
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has congratulated President-elect Donald J. Trump on his election to the presidency and stands at the ready to work collaboratively with his transition …
Bird Flu Discovered in European Union
Wildfowl infected with bird flu has been discovered in several European Union countries. As a result, the Dutch government ordered farmers in the Netherlands to move their poultry flocks indoors. …
Global Food Prices Continue to Rise
Global food prices rose during October. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says its food price index climbed 1.2 points over the September totals to 172.6. Sponsored …