…three years ago to audit how USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service collects data. The report highlighted that NASS could make several changes over time to improve the accuracy of its…
NIFA Invests in Research to Help Boost Organic Farming, Ranching
…mid-size organic producers. Grants totaling $16.49 million were made through the OREI program as follows: Agricultural Research Service, Booneville, Arkansas, $1,998,748 Organic Farming Research Foundation, Santa Cruz, California, $41,759 The…
Insects Beneficial for Your Garden or Farm
…weight in aphids, and the adult ladybugs devour pests. Assassin bugs and ground beetles are excellent hard workers, too. Black Soldier Flies are great for composting and also deterring more…
Censky, McKinney, Sworn in at USDA
…as USDA’s new Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Perdue says Censky and McKinney are “two experienced, prepared, and capable nominees,” who will provide steady leadership…
Wildfires Continue to Sweep Through Northern California
…as the fires continue burning. In Sonoma County alone, the value of agricultural production came close to $900 million last year, according to the 2016 Sonoma County Crop Report. There…
Mexico, Canada, Could Seek Dairy Access to U.S.
…fresh cheeses in the U.S., there could be pressure to allow those products in. The U.S. has already eliminated most agricultural tariffs through the NAFTA framework, except for dairy and…
Conaway: NAFTA Too Important to Screw up
…of House members that focused on agricultural trade in a discussion with Canadian officials before this week’s round of NAFTA talks. In a statement, Conaway said the goal of the…
Trade Expert: U.S. is Setting Up NAFTA for Failure
…he can walk away from the trade pact. The fourth round of NAFTA talks is underway this week, with some speculating the introduction of agricultural issues in the process. However,…
Farm Bureau Endorses Bipartisan Farmers for Free Trade Campaign
…Free Trade, the importance of safeguarding agricultural market access in NAFTA negotiations, and strengthening grassroots support for trade. This comes on the eve of the fourth round of NAFTA negotiations….
UCCE Creates Ag Education Chair in Southern California
UC President Janet Napolitano has approved the formation of a $1 million endowment to create the UC Cooperative Extension Presidential Chair for Agricultural Education in Orange County. Half the endowment…
China Imports More U.S. Trash than Ag Products
China imports more U.S. trash than agricultural commodities, but that could soon change. China earlier this year filed a notice with the World Trade Organization about its plans to limit…
Agriculture Changes Expected in KORUS Revisions
A South Korea trade lawyer believes changes to agricultural trade will top the list of changes requested in KORUS, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. During a meeting last week between…
NAFTA Not Moving Quick Enough
…disappointed in NAFTA rounds so far, but, believes the next round will be an opportunity to bring up more-serious agricultural issues. From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service….
California Benefits from Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
…along with assistance in meeting new labor regulations was provided. Some projects were also designed to help attract skilled and unskilled workers to farming operations. The California Department of Food…