Roundup of Some of the Nation’s Pollinators

We wrap up National Pollinator week with a roundup of some of the nation’s pollinators. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Talk about pollinators often revolves around honeybees, which makes sense because they do the majority of the work, especially when it comes to commercial agriculture. But there are a number of other pollinators as well, and National Pollinator Week …

Mite-Resistant Honeybees

Honeybees that are pest resistant. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Pol-line honeybees, a type of Varroa mite-resistant honeybee developed by the Agricultural Research Service, are more than twice as likely to survive through the winter than standard honeybees. That’s according to a study published in Scientific Reports. Although ARS developed Pol-line bees in 2014, this study was the first time …

National Pollinator Week Kicks Off

It’s a time to celebrate the bugs that keep us alive. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. National Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It’s a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a United States Department of Agriculture …

APHIS Funding for New Pest Management Projects

Funding to help new developments when it comes to plant pests. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invites stakeholders to submit project suggestions for fiscal year 2023 Plant Protection Act funding. APHIS will provide $75 million in plant protection funding for these projects, including at least $7.5 …

Tea Tree Oil Applications in Ag

Using tea tree oil to fight agricultural problems. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Tea tree oil is a home remedy for many things, everything from acne to insect bites, but it also has a use in large-scale agriculture. Dr. Eric Tedford with Summit Agro USA, which recently launched a new tea tree oil product, says the oil provides added …

General Mills Invests $3 Million to Scale Eco-Harvest by ESMC

An investment in ecosystems from a major company. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. General Mills and Ecosystem Services Market Consortium announced a multi-year roadmap to scale Eco-Harvest. The market program by ESMC recognizes and rewards farmers for beneficial environmental outcomes from regenerative agriculture. The roadmap focuses on priority regions in the U.S. and Canada where General Mills sources its …

2022 Dairy Sustainability Award Winners

Honoring sustainable dairy producers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program recognized a class of seven exceptional farms, businesses and partnerships for their socially responsible, economically viable, and environmentally sound practices and technologies that have a broad and positive impact. This year’s winners displayed excellence in areas such as methane and other greenhouse …