The ag secretary discusses food as medicine. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provides his views on the subject of “Food is Medicine” during a Health and Human Services Department summit of the same name. “My point of view is, I think, somewhat couched by the fact that I lost my parents at a …
Apple Genetic Collection Provides Avenues in Time
Apple Genetic Collection Provides Avenues in Time. Rod Bain has more coming up on This Land of Ours. One of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of apple cultivars and genetic materials can be found at a USDA agricultural research station in New York State. “There’s about 5000 unique accessions that we keep. And the composition really is 1400 …
Farm Bureau Backs American Sugar Producers
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is backing sugar producers. As part of the policy resolutions set during their recent national convention, the American Farm Bureau continued support for a no-cost sugar policy. Cassie Bladow, chairperson of the American Sugar Alliance says the alliance appreciates farm bureau’s support, and they appreciate having AFBF as a strong partner as they advocate for …
Farmers Can Now Pay Farm Loans Online
An easier way to make your farm loan payments. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Farm loan borrowers will be able to make payments to their direct loans online. It’s through the new Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov that goes live in early February. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline …
Shielding Agriculture from Cyber Attacks
Shielding agriculture from cyber attacks. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Two senators introduced legislation intended to boost the agricultural industry’s resilience against cyber attacks. The bipartisan measure from Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is backed by a number of agricultural groups. If passed, the bill would shield America’s supply chain from technological attacks. “America’s adversaries …
AgNet Weekly: President Pauses Pending LGN Exports
The Biden administration issued a temporary pause on pending decisions on Liquefied Natural Gas exports – with the exception of unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies. During this period, they will “take a hard look” at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America’s energy security, and the environment. Within a few hours, a group of Senators sent a …
Large Family Farms Account for Bulk of Commodity Production
A look at what kinds of farms make up the majority of production. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Large-scale family farms accounted for a majority of the value of commodity production in 2022, according to a new report from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). Specifically, these farms accounted for 51 percent of cash grains and soybeans, 56 …
Newest Farm Bureau Location Shows Popularity of Urban Ag
It’s one of the nation’s largest cities, and now San Francisco is part of the farm bureau federation. It’s technically San Francisco County that is the newest part of the California Farm Bureau, but there’s only one city in that county – San Francisco. With the growing popularity of urban agriculture, it makes sense that the city by the bay …
NCBA Keeps Close Eye on Proposed USDA Rulemaking
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane says he’s keeping an eye on proposed USDA rulemaking for the beef industry. “We’re watching with some concern some of what we’re seeing coming out of USDA. Obviously, they continue to be very focused on what they’re calling their competition agenda,” he said. Lane said NCBA believes that competition …
USDA Reopens Signup for Continuous CRP
Another chance to sign up for continuous CRP. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA is again accepting applications for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program signup. The program from the Farm Service Agency provides ag producers and other landowners with conservation opportunities for their land in exchange for yearly rental payments. It also includes the Conservation Reserve …