U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed farmers attending Commodity Classic in Denver earlier this week and outlined the USDA’s plan to distribute $30 billion in economic and disaster relief. She…
Schultz Appointed New Chief of the USDA Forest Service
Tom Schultz 21st Chief of the Forest Service Courtesy of USDA Forest Service Tom Schultz has been appointed as the new Chief of the USDA Forest Service, succeeding Randy Moore,…
APHIS Modifying Strategy to Combat the New World Screw Worm
Courtesy of USDA/APHIS The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is modifying its strategy to combat the new world screw worm (NWS) by shifting sterile fly dispersal efforts to…
American Agriculture History Minute: Major Change in Agriculture from Hand Power to Horses
DepositPhotos image I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Agricultural production continued to expand in the early 1800s, but still by 1850, it took 75 to 90 labor…
Rural Mainstreet Index Plunges to New Low Amid Economic Uncertainty
DepositPhotos image The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) continued its downward trend in February, marking the 17th decline in the past 18 months. The index, which measures the economic health of…
Congress Urged to Support American Growers
Workers Picking Lettuce in Salinas valley California DepositPhotos image The International Fresh Produce Association is urging Congress to support American growers through bipartisan action to enhance food security and maintain…
USDA Unveils Blueprint to Combat the Avian Influenza Outbreak
DepositPhotos image The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled a blueprint to combat the avian influenza outbreak, which has affected 166 million birds since 2022, primarily egg-laying hens, and…
American Agriculture History Minute: Minnesota the Early Flour Capital of the U.S.
DepositPhotos image I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. American Agriculture History Minute: Minnesota the Early Flour Capital of the U.S. You wouldn’t think Minnesota would be the…
Stewardship Agreement Announced to Enhance Wildfire Prevention
Massive California Apple Fire forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes, wildfires spreading rapidly, escaping to save their lives. DepositPhotos image A $75 million stewardship agreement was announced to…
Hass Avocado Board Focuses on Promoting Avocados’ Health Benefits
The Hass Avocado Board‘s 2025 communications plan focuses on promoting avocados’ health benefits, particularly for heart health and type 2 diabetes management, targeting health professionals and consumers, especially the general…
Senate Bill 628 provides Tax Credit for Agricultural Employers
Farm labor Weeding a Field Shutterstock Image CA Senator Shannon Grove has proposed Senate Bill 628 to provide a tax credit for agricultural employers to cover overtime wages for farm…
California Agriculture Day is March 19
California’s agricultural community will celebrate California Agriculture Day on March 19, with a focus on the theme “Ag at Work: Cultivating Careers and Communities.” The event, hosted by the California…
High Bee Mortality Rates Potentially Affecting the 2025 Almond Crop
DepositPhotos image In West California, almond orchards are blooming, but beekeepers are alarmed by high bee mortality rates, potentially affecting the 2025 almond crop. The commercial beekeeping industry is experiencing…
American Agriculture History Minute: Mechanization Improves Labor Hours and Corn Production
DepositPhotos image I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. American Agriculture History Minute: Mechanization Improves Labor Hours and Corn Production In 1850, it’s estimated that it took 75…