The FFA reaches a milestone. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National FFA Organization Monday announced a record-high student membership of 945,988, an increase of 11 percent from last year. In addition, the number of FFA chapters continues to grow — increasing by 168 this year, resulting in 9,163 chapters in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the …
Farmland Growth Continues
Economic headwinds aren’t stopping farmland growth. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Value of U.S. farmland continues to grow, despite economic headwinds. USDA economist, Shawn Arita, says this year’s growth in farmland values is stronger than some had expected. “It’s still very, very strong growth. This is up again 7.4 percent. I think moving into this, there …
Producers Encouraged to Talk to Congress in August
The August recess isn’t break for lawmakers, and farmers are encouraged to remember that. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Lawmakers from the House and Senate are on the annual August recess and back in their respective districts and states. Tom Donnely, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Director of Grassroots Program Development, says lawmakers will spend that time …
USDA Research Identifies Moths that Slow the Spread of Invasive Fern
Using a moth to slow the spread of an invasive plant. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The invasive Old World Climbing Fern was introduced to Florida’s ecosystem from southeast Asia around 1965. It soon dominated the state’s native vegetation, infesting more than 100,000 acres in a short amount of time. The fern spreads quickly and has destroyed …
Report Reflects Continued Stress on U.S. Honeybee Colonies
Honeybee losses continue in the U.S. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new USDA report on U.S. honeybee colonies shows continued high losses of those colonies. USDA’s Gary Crawford reports. It seems the nation’s honeybee colonies continue to be under siege. The latest USDA report shows the number of colonies is down from a year ago and the …
Fuel Prices Surge as Heat Hits Refinery Output
Gas prices are rising once again. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The nation’s average gasoline price soared 16.5 cents in the last week to $3.72 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. The national average diesel price jumped 15.5 cents last week, reaching $3.99 per gallon. GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says, “Prices suddenly soared over the last week due …
Seal of Cotton Turns 50
A familiar trademark is turning fifty. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Seal of Cotton trademark from Cotton Incorporated is turning 50 this year. It was created back in 1973 to show that a product contained cotton. Within the first year, about 18 percent of Americans could identify the trademark. By the 1980’s that number was up …
Biotechnology Organization Lists Farm Bill Priorities
Farm Bill priorities for the biotech industry. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) says the next Farm Bill offers opportunities to invest in long-term food security, climate resiliency, and growing the national bio-economy. The group has submitted recommendations to the agriculture committees in both chambers of Congress as they work on writing the …
Grocery Prices Stabilizing, Dining Out Cost Rising
The cost of eating at home is stabilizing, but dining out may cost more. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The latest information from the USDA says that rise in grocery prices that we’ve been feeling is leveling off, and looks to be stable for the rest of the year. However, experts say the cost of eating out …
Cotton Growers Asked to Complete Survey
There’s a request for information from cotton growers around the U.S. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Cotton Incorporated is asking all U.S. cotton producers to take the 2023 Natural Resource Survey. This survey will guide Cotton Incorporated’s future research priorities and help document U.S. cotton production improvements. The online survey should take 25 to 35 minutes to …