The USDA is taking steps to prevent fraud in organic ag. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Organic Trade Association applauded the USDA and the National Organic Program for the new “Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule.” Tom Chapman, CEO of the Organic Trade Association, says the new regulation will do a lot to detect organic fraud and protect …
Improving Child Health through School Meals
The USDA is taking steps to improve child health through school meals. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Friday announced major initiatives that support and enhance the health of America’s children through nutritious school meals. At the USDA Conversation on Healthy School Meals Roundtable, Vilsack says, “Our commitment to the school meal programs comes …
Top 10 ‘Fancy Food’ Trends for 2023
Trend spotters tell us the top ten “fancy food” trends for 2023. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Specialty Food Association (SFA) Trendspotter Panel navigated thousands of specialty food products showcased by more than 1,100 exhibitors at the Las Vegas Convention Center. After great deliberation through countless products, 10 overall trends have emerged from the 2023 Winter …
Wings on the Menu for the Big Game
While typically its barbecue in Kansas City and cheesesteaks in Philly, when it comes to the Super Bowl, the wing is still king. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Chicken Council (NCC) this week released its annual Chicken Wing Report, projecting Americans to consume a record-breaking 1.45 billion chicken wings during Super Bowl LVII weekend. This …
Study Shows Rotational Grazing Adoption Varies by Region
A study sheds light on grazing practices around the nation. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Data published Monday by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows rotational grazing adoption varies by region. Rotational grazing is a management practice in which livestock are cycled through multiple fenced grazing areas to manage forage production, forage quality, animal health, and environmental …
USDA Investment in Rural Electric Infrastructure
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 …