Students prepare for careers with animals. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Future Farmers of America (FFA) members from across the country this spring traveled to Denver, Colorado, to explore careers in the animal systems industry. The 73 FFA members attended the Next Gen Conference, which began in 2020 and focuses on specific pathways, from animal systems to …
Florida Lawmakers Seek to Curb China Land Purchases
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 15, 2023) — The Florida Senate has started fast-tracking a proposal that would bar the sale of agricultural land and property within 20 miles of military bases to interests tied to the Chinese government or other nations on a list of “countries of concern.” The bill (SB 264), which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, also would …
Combine Sales in the U. S. Grow, Ag Tractors Sales Near Average
According to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), overall U.S. ag tractor unit sales in February stayed near their five-year average, but combine harvesters continued triple-digit growth. The latest data shows overall U.S. ag tractor unit sales fell in February, and that was despite gains in the 100-plus horsepower and four-wheel-drive segments, up 2.7 and 55 percent respectively. Overall tractor …
Meat Plants Employed Nearly 31% of U.S. Food Workers in 2021
The latest federal data shows that in 2021, the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing sector employed 1.7 million people, or more than 1.1 percent of all U.S. nonfarm employment. Within the U.S. manufacturing sector, food and beverage manufacturing accounted for the largest share of employees, 15.4 percent. USDA’s Economic Research Service Monday announced the data, noting that these employees help …
Ag Safety Awareness Week: “Lead the Way in Agriculture”
It’s ag safety awareness week. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Agricultural Safety Awareness Week Program is this week, March 6-10. U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers will join Farm Bureaus across the country to promote ag safety this week with the theme of “Lead the Way in Agriculture.” Each day has a different focus, beginning on …
Environmental Groups Object to Florida Development Bills
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE,FL/March 3, 2023) — Environmental groups are raising concerns that legislative proposals would damage land-use planning and run counter to conservation efforts backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Representatives of 1000 Friends of Florida, Friends of the Everglades and VoteWater on Thursday targeted numerous bills filed for the upcoming legislative session that could do such things as redefine sprawl, deter citizens …
First 2023 House Agriculture Committee Hearing Focuses on Challenges
The House Agriculture Committee held its first hearing of the new congressional year, titled “Uncertainty, Inflation, Regulations: Challenges for American Agriculture”. Opening statements from the committee leaders were partisan and politically charged. Committee Chair Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA) listed several recent problems agriculture has faced, such as the rising costs of fuel and inputs, and the problems caused by the …
Biggest U.S. Farms Obtaining More Land
The big are getting bigger. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s annual Farms and Land in Farms Report shows the country’s largest farms with sales of $1 million or more operate nearly 26 percent of U.S. farmlands. The agency also says there were 2.003 million farms in the nation during 2022, a drop of 0.5 percentage points …
Ag Outlook Forum Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Ag Outlook Forum is taking place today and tomorrow (Feb. 23-24). Mark Oppold has information about what analysts are expecting for this year’s corn and soybean crops. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida …
FMI Encourages FDA to Refine Healthy Definition
The Food Industry Association (FMI) recently submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency’s proposed rule to update the definition of the term “healthy.” The FDA is seeking the update when the term is used as a nutrient content claim in labeling. FMI Chief Public Policy Officer Jennifer Hatcher says. “We are concerned the proposal is …