More older adults are facing food insecurity. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In 2022, 9.1 percent of U.S. households with adults aged 65 and older were food insecure at some time during the year. The prevalence of food insecurity in households with adults aged 65 and older in 2022 was statistically significantly higher than the 7.1 percent …
Changing Climate Means More Pests for Almonds, Peaches, Walnuts
How a changing climate could mean more pests for some tree crops. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Department of Agriculture research shows climate change may increase the insect population that poses a threat to the specialty crops industry. Led by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the University of California, the research shows populations …
U.S Agriculture “Flips the Script” at U.N. Climate Meeting
U.S. Agriculture’s climate change mitigation efforts were showcased at COP28. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. At last year’s UN climate conference, COP 27, US agriculture, was in some cases on the defensive about its work on climate change. But in this year’s conference- “We flipped the script for American agriculture,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, said on the …
No Kitchens in Future Homes?
Will our future homes be built without kitchens? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Dining away from home is once again becoming a bigger part of America’s eating habits. Mike North, president of the producer division at Ever.Ag, says we’re consuming a lot of food away from home. “So much that more than 50 percent of the food …
Theory of Christmas Tree Tradition
How did the tradition of the Christmas tree get started? Gary Crawford has one of several possible theories coming up on This Land of Ours. No one knows for sure exactly how the tradition of decorating an Evergreen tree for the holidays got started, but one story is called “The Blessing of the Fir Tree.” Agriculture Department history researcher Anne …
Partnership for U.S. Forests
A new partnership to improve the nation’s forests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The nonprofit conservation organization American Forests is teaming up with the USDA Forest Service to help in reforestation across millions of burned and degraded acres over the next five years. The $20 million agreement will enable American Forests to aid the Forest Service to …
Tight Supply of Christmas Trees
What’s the story behind the recent very tight supplies of real Christmas trees? Gary Crawford tells us in today’s This Land of Ours. Shop early to find that perfect Christmas tree before they’re all gone. Shoppers are hearing that message a lot this year, but why? Well, Tim O’Connor with the National Christmas Tree Association says most growers these days …
New Nutritional Campaign Launches on Wheat
Why you may be hearing more about the nutritional benefits of wheat. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Consumers want nutrition information, so the Wheat Foods Council (WFC) is launching a social media campaign that educates fitness professionals and trainers about the benefits of wheat foods in healthy diets. U.S. Wheat Associates and the WFC are both farmer-led …
Optimism in Christmas Tree Industry
There’s optimism about the future of the Christmas tree industry. Gary Crawford has more coming up on This Land of Ours. Ten to fifteen years ago Christmas tree growers were worried about the long-term future of their industry. Today that worry is changing into optimism. It seems more and more people are telling us that they are done with artificial …
U.S. Farmers at COP28
U.S. farmers are involved in international climate change conversations at COP28. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Several U.S. farm representatives will be on hand during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, to express agriculture’s important role in climate mitigation efforts. “We’ll have a number of opportunities both through our direct involvement as a member …