The USDA says rural areas are lagging behind when it comes to education. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Formal educational attainment in rural America has grown, but rural areas still lag behind urban areas, according to the USDA. USDA’s Economic Research Service data shows the share of adults ages 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or …
Vidalia Onion Season Date Announced
A favorite sweet onion heads to supermarkets soon. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The start of Vidalia onion season is almost here, with the official pack date announced by the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner and Vidalia Onion Committee. Vidalia onion fans across the country can mark their calendars for April 17, when the sweet onions are set to …
Bill Introduced to Provide Clean Drinking Water for Rural Americans
A new bill would help rural Americans get clean drinking water. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Susan Collins introduced the bipartisan Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H2O Act. Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat and Collins, a Maine Republican, say the bill will provide water testing and treatment technology grants directly to …
New Children’s Book from Farm Bureau Foundation
A new children’s book about agriculture is coming soon. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The latest children’s book from Feeding Minds Press, the publishing arm of the American Farm Bureau Foundation, offers a look at the various types of boots farmers and ranchers use. Farm Boots is the latest book from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for …
FFA Members Prepare for Careers in Animal Systems Pathways
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 …
Breeding Better Potatoes for Better Potato Chips
Breeding better potatoes for better potato chips. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Americans eat more potato chips than any other nation; more than four pounds a person a year, according to Potatoes USA. About 22 percent of the U.S. potato crop—nearly 7,500 million pounds annually—are made into chips. And USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) helps ensure that the country …
Groups Speaking Up on Barriers to Rural Broadband Expansion
Taking on barriers to rural broadband expansion – that’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Rural lawmakers are ramping up congressional oversight of federal broadband expansion efforts. In response, rural broadband advocates, farm groups, and telecom experts are speaking up on overcoming key barriers to successfully closing the digital divide. Director of innovation policy for the International Center for …
Farm Bureau Signs MOU on Right to Repair
More freedom for farmers to repair their own equipment. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The American Farm Bureau Federation and CNH Industrial brands Case IH and New Holland signed a memorandum of understanding, allowing farmers and ranchers to repair their equipment. The MOU follows a similar agreement Farm Bureau signed with John Deere earlier this year. “Farmers …
USDA Celebrates First National Biobased Products Day
The USDA celebrates the first National Biobased Products Day. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Department Also Announces BioPreferred® Program “Excellence in Procurement” Award Winners for 2022 (USDA/WASHINGTON, March 8, 2023) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) kicked off the inaugural National Biobased Products Day and highlighted the accomplishments of people and organizations working to improve sustainability within …
USDA Proposes New Requirements for the “Product of USA” Label
There could be some new requirements for the product of the USA label. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week released a proposed rule with new regulatory requirements for the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim. The proposed rule allows the voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claim …