One of the many regions of the world suffering a reduction in agricultural productivity is Sub-Saharan Africa. Gary Crawford has more coming up in today’s This Land of Ours report. A new report, the GAP Report, this year titled “Every Farmer, Every Tool,”from Virginia Tech University is sounding a warning that global growth in agricultural productivity is falling. The report’s …
New Crop Insurance Program for Controlled Environments
There’s a new crop insurance program, for a different kind of agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA is announcing a new crop insurance program designed for agricultural producers using controlled environments in their operations. The new Controlled Environment Program from the Risk Management Agency is specifically for plants grown in fully enclosed environments and provides …
Farm Real Estate Market Holding Steady
The farm real estate market is holding steady. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. As combines roll into fields this fall, there is a renewed sense of optimism when looking at the real estate market. The current state of the ag land market is resilient, and the demand for high-quality farmland remains strong in the face of higher …
Holstein Icon Honored Through New Youth Scholarship
A new scholarship helps students while honoring a cattle icon. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The George Miller Memorial Scholarship is named after a man who was considered an icon within the Holstein breed and a generous leader in many other breed associations. Jeff Ziegler vice president of dairy cattle breeding for Select Sires says at Select, …
USDA: Lower Income Countries Spend More on Food
A look at which countries spend the most on food. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Consumers in low-income countries spend a greater proportion of their budgets on food than those in higher-income countries, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). As incomes rise with economic development and urbanization, the share of income spent on food tends to …
Sesame Added To FDA Allergen Program
Working to make food safer for those with allergies. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Millions of Americans have food allergies and could have reactions to products that contain food allergens. While many allergic reactions may involve only mild symptoms, some are severe and could even be life-threatening. Earlier this year, sesame was added as the ninth major …
USDA Expands Access to School Breakfast and Lunch
The USDA is giving more children access to school-day meals. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture Tuesday announced it is giving an estimated 3,000 more school districts in high-need areas the option to serve breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost. The expansion is possible through the Community Eligibility Provision, commonly known …
Next-Gen Institute for Digital Agriculture
A new university institute with a focus on the future of agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new university institute is putting the spotlight on digital agriculture. Kansas State University has launched the Interdisciplinary Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics. The institute is a people-centered interdisciplinary collective transforming learning, research, and outreach around digital technologies …
Deadlines Approaching for AIM for Climate Components
Some important deadlines are coming up for USDA climate programs. Rod Bain has more in today’s This Land of Ours Report. What’s the latest news from the agriculture innovation mission for climate? The US-United Arab Emirates co-chaired AIM for Climate Initiative sponsors a webinar the last week of September on the food systems and agriculture innovation agenda highlighting the upcoming …
USDA Expands Efforts to Prevent and Reduce Food Waste
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wednesday announced an additional $25 million investment to expand efforts to prevent and reduce food loss and waste. The investment, funded under the American Rescue Plan Act, is part of a joint agency initiative between USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist. More than one-third of all …