Last June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they were beginning work on proposed rules to support enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, the 100-year old law that was originally designed to protect poultry and hog farmers and cattle ranchers from unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in the meat markets. This week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered the latest …
Food Insecurity Rates Vary Across States
USDA Economic Research Service data released Monday shows food insecurity rates vary across U.S. states. The estimated prevalence of food insecurity during 2018-2020 ranged from 5.7 percent in New Hampshire to 15.3 percent in Mississippi. The estimated national average was 10.7 percent. The prevalence of food insecurity was significantly higher than the national average in nine states, including Alabama, Kentucky, …
Impact Farmers Make When It Comes to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The huge impact farmers have been making when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Since 1990, the United States population has increased 31-percent, from roughly 250 million to 329 million in 2019. With more people comes the need for more food. And, more food production could also mean more greenhouse gas …
Center Providing Plant Management Solutions for the Southeast Region
The center providing plant management solutions for the Southeast region. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center is one of a national network of 25 centers dedicated to providing vegetative solutions, and developing and transferring plant science technology to solve conservation issues. Located in Americus, Georgia, it’s one of four centers serving the Southeast …
$215 Million Committed to Enhance the Rural American Food Supply Chain
Department Will Make Available $215 Million for Projects That Will Promote Competition and Increase Resiliency and Create Economic Opportunity in Rural America (USDA/WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2022) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making available up to $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply …
Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions
The center providing plant solutions in a diverse climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Lockeford Plant Materials Center is a 106-acre facility located in the Central Valley of California. It’s about an hour southeast of the state’s capitol, Sacramento, and is the only plant materials in the state. The center provides plant solutions for the diverse …
New Book Chronicles the History of the Cattle Industry in Georgia
A new book about the history of the cattle industry in Georgia was officially released last week during the 60th Annual Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Convention in Savannah. Folks attending were lined up to purchase their copy of the book, “Herds and Heritage: The History of Georgia’s Cattle Industry”. It was written by Jackie Kennedy from LaGrange, Ga. who talked with Southeast …
USDA/APHIS Finds Avian Influenza in Maine and Delaware
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a non-commercial backyard flock in Maine. Samples from the flock were tested at the Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. …
Georgia Cotton Commission, UGA Encourage Growers to Be Prepared for Planting Season
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Cotton Team encourage producers to be prepared for the upcoming planting season. UGA Extension cotton agronomist Camp Hand believes growers need to be cost conscious when preparing to plant this year’s crop. It starts with ensuring the planters are ready to roll. “I would be making for sure …
Program Working to Deliver State-of-the-Art Plant Science Technology
The program working to deliver state-of-the art plant science technology to meet identified conservation needs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Brooksville Plant Materials Center is one of 25 Plant Material Centers, strategically located throughout the nation, that are working to deliver state-of-the-art plant science technology to meet identified conservation needs. Located just north of Brooksville, Florida …