Putting billions into rural electric infrastructure. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA is investing $2.7 billion to help 64 electric cooperatives and utilities expand and modernize the nation’s rural electric grid and increase grid security. The announcement came from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Monday. He said the investments will benefit rural people and businesses in many ways for …
Study Adds to Proof of Health Benefits of Tree Nuts
More proof of the health benefits of tree nuts. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In a paper published in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that consuming mixed tree nuts had a positive effect on the metabolism of the essential amino acid, tryptophan, in overweight and obese individuals. Specifically, there was an increase in both cardioprotective tryptophan metabolites and in …
Grant Money Available for Urban Ag
A new opportunity for grant money from the USDA. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning …
Substantial Consolidation in Retail Food Market Since 1990
There’s been substantial consolidation in the retail food market in the last thirty years. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. food retail sector experienced substantial consolidation over the last three decades, according to data from USDA’s Economic Research Service. Market concentration, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, is a measure of the extent to which market …
Corn Growers Praise Biden Officials for Stance on Biotech Corn
Some national praise from the National Corn Growers Association. That’s Coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) praised the Biden administration for issuing an official rejection of a recent proposed compromise from Mexico on biotech corn imports into the country. The development came during a meeting between Mexican officials and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s …
Farm Group Wants Investigation into Egg Prices
Should there be an investigation into the high price of eggs? That’s coming up on this land of ours. A U.S. farm group is asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look into the high prices of eggs and possible price gouging. Farm Action is a farmer-led advocacy organization that sent a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan to share …
Chocolate Market Growing
Chocolate is getting even more popular. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The global cocoa and chocolate market is seeing a growth spurt. According to a new research report, the global cocoa and chocolate market size & share was valued at $46.4 billion in 2021 and is projected to hit $69.1 Billion by 2030. Cocoa and chocolate are made from the cacao tree and …
Research into Bee Health May Lower Winter Colony Losses
New research may help lower winter bee losses. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agricultural Research Service scientists and their Chinese colleagues have identified a specific metabolic pathway that controls how honey bees apportion their body’s resources such as energy and immune response in reaction to stresses such as winter’s cold temperatures, according to recently published research. Entomologist and …
E-Application for 1890 National Scholars Program Introduced
It’s now easier to apply for an 1890 National Scholars Program. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week unveiled a new e-application for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. The program aims to encourage students at 1890s institutions to pursue food and agriculture career paths. For the first time, the new e-application for …
Rural Job Growth Shifting to High-Skill Workers
There’s a shift in rural jobs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over the last two decades, the strongest rural job gains were in smaller industries that tend to employ high-skill workers. USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) reports the highest growth was in the real estate industry. According to experts like CALC job placement services, also showing rapid …