How much pandemic help did farmers get? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Researchers at USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) estimate that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided $5.8 billion to the farm sector in 2020. The PPP was a non-USDA assistance program for small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic. Total Federal Government payments to the farm …
Rural Cooperative Month
October is Rural Cooperative Month, but what are rural cooperatives? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. October is Rural Cooperative Month and a part of USDA Rural Development focuses on business cooperatives and their vital role in rural economies. Rural Business Cooperative Service Administrator Karama Neal provides various examples of rural business cooperatives and how they serve customers …
New Animal Disease Early Detection Partnership
There’s a new partnership for early detection of animal diseases. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. It’s a new partnership among the nation’s animal health and biodefense facilities to improve early detection of emerging animal diseases. This is Christy Loiacano, coordinator of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service …
Feds Feed Families Program Milestone
The Feds Feed Families Program reaches a food donation milestone. Gary Crawford has that coming up in today’s This Land of Ours report. “I wanted to come down from my office today, first of all, to thank everybody who’s participating in the campaign for a job well done,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The campaign is the Feds Feed Families …
Conservation Reserve Program Pays Over $1.77 Billion
Nearly $2 Billion is given out for conservation efforts. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA has issued over $1.77 billion this year to agricultural producers and landowners through its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The agency says the program is a critical piece of the Department’s efforts to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry on working lands. More …
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices Decline After Volatile Week
The pain at the pump is getting a little lighter. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For the fourth consecutive week, the nation’s average price of gasoline dropped, falling 11.3 cents from a week ago to $3.55 per gallon. The national average is down 29.9 cents from a month ago and 30.9 cents per gallon lower than a …
Generic Vs. Brand Names in Groceries
What’s in a name? That depends when it comes to groceries. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/couple-shopping-groceries-supermarket-1606526392Most consumers appear to prefer brand-name beverages over generic or store-brand beverages. That’s according to the September 2023 Consumer Food Insights Report. The Purdue University College of Agriculture report further indicates that consumers make this choice even when presented with a …
Food Price Inflation Easing Down
Food price inflation is easing down into so-called “normal” levels. Gary Crawford has more in today’s This Land of Ours report. The new Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that during September, prices for all items in the economy rose two-tenths of 1 percent, putting the inflation rate 3.7 percent higher than this time a year ago. However, for food at …
Dairy Checkoff’s Pizza Partnerships Growing Cheese Sales
Increasing cheese sales through pizza. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new dairy checkoff growth program with pizza partners is expected to drive a lot of additional cheese use during the rest of 2023. Paul Ziemnisky is Group EVP of Health and Wellness, Insights, and Innovation with Dairy Management Inc (DMI). He says the bulk of the …
Delivery Innovation Could Reduce Hunger
An innovative way to reduce hunger in rural areas. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Delivery of food may be the way to increase access in rural America, according to a recent report by CoBank. While roughly one in ten Americans faces food insecurity, rural communities are particularly affected. Rural communities comprise 63 percent of all U.S. counties …