Projects to prevent plant pests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over 370 projects across U.S states and territories are funded as part of a USDA program focused on plant pest and disease defense. Samantha Simon of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service tells us about the USDA program designed to support state efforts. “It grants USDA …
USDA Contributes Millions to Bolster Food Supply Chain
The USDA gives a boost to the food supply chain. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA has awarded over $270 million to date through cooperative agreements with state departments of agriculture to build resilience across the middle of the food supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. The …
Record Income Drop Expected, What Can Farmers Do?
Farmers can expect the largest recorded year-to-year dollar drop in net farm income in 2024. How bad is it, and what can farmers do? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Income is estimated to be nearly $40 billion lower this year compared to 2023, down more than 25%. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the latest USDA data …
Americans Serving Wings for the Big Game
Wings are on the menu for the big game this weekend. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. With the second biggest eating day of the year after Thanksgiving upon us, there’s no hotter time for chicken wings. According to the National Chicken Council’s 2024 Wing Report, Americans will devour 1.45 billion wings while watching Kansas City and San …
Grocery Prices Staying Higher
A look at the higher prices in grocery stores. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Many grocery prices remain high and could go even higher according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). AFBF Economist Bernt Nelson says input costs and general inflation are among the main culprits. “Across the board, with our grocery prices, we’re still seeing …
America’s Biggest Landowners
Who are the nation’s biggest landowners? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Land Report Research Team issued it’s “Land Report 100” and detailed America’s largest landowners. It shows that as of 2021, America’s largest landowner is named Red Emmerson. He and his family own just over 2.4 million acres in California, Oregon, and Washington through their timber …
Vilsack on Food as Medicine
The ag secretary discusses food as medicine. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provides his views on the subject of “Food is Medicine” during a Health and Human Services Department summit of the same name. “My point of view is, I think, somewhat couched by the fact that I lost my parents at a …
Apple Genetic Collection Provides Avenues in Time
Apple Genetic Collection Provides Avenues in Time. Rod Bain has more coming up on This Land of Ours. One of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of apple cultivars and genetic materials can be found at a USDA agricultural research station in New York State. “There’s about 5000 unique accessions that we keep. And the composition really is 1400 …
Farmers Can Now Pay Farm Loans Online
An easier way to make your farm loan payments. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Farm loan borrowers will be able to make payments to their direct loans online. It’s through the new Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov that goes live in early February. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline …
Shielding Agriculture from Cyber Attacks
Shielding agriculture from cyber attacks. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Two senators introduced legislation intended to boost the agricultural industry’s resilience against cyber attacks. The bipartisan measure from Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is backed by a number of agricultural groups. If passed, the bill would shield America’s supply chain from technological attacks. “America’s adversaries …