Some important deadlines are coming up for USDA climate programs. Rod Bain has more in today’s This Land of Ours Report. What’s the latest news from the agriculture innovation mission for climate? The US-United Arab Emirates co-chaired AIM for Climate Initiative sponsors a webinar the last week of September on the food systems and agriculture innovation agenda highlighting the upcoming …
Farmers Could Feel Effects of Government Shutdown
The threat of a government shutdown continues to loom as hard right Republicans demand deep cuts on spending and lawmakers on both sides stay committed to their party lines. If there is a government shutdown, USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small says it would impact the lives of many farmers. “This would have a significant effect on farmers, in the …
USDA Expands Efforts to Prevent and Reduce Food Waste
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wednesday announced an additional $25 million investment to expand efforts to prevent and reduce food loss and waste. The investment, funded under the American Rescue Plan Act, is part of a joint agency initiative between USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist. More than one-third of all …
AgNet Weekly: Ag Labor Wages and the AEWR
There’s a call to reevaluate the required minimum pay for ag labor and the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Rule . Michigan’s current minimum wage is $10.10 for workers who don’t get tips, but the minimum wage that farmers can pay their H2A workers is $17.34. The Executive Director of the Michigan Asparagus Association, Jamie Clover Adams, says the true …
Majority of U.S. Apples Used in Juices
How the U.S. uses most of its apples. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are a lot of ways to eat them – pies, cobblers, crisps, with peanut butter, or cheese or made into sauce or cider. However, new data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows a majority of apples are used in juices. In 2021, …
USDA Study Underscores Importance of Food Safety Education Month
A new USDA study shows the importance of Food Safety Education Month. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA Tuesday released results from the final year of a five-year study that observed how consumers prepared meals. The study observed food safety behaviors, including participants’ thermometer use for ground pork sausage, handwashing, and cleaning and sanitizing food preparation surfaces. …
Senator Tuberville Pushes for Farm Programs
While lawmakers continue the back-and-forth on the budget, some are keeping their eye on the Farm Bill. Speaking on the Senate Floor, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) made a plea for farmers. “The whole purpose of the Farm Bill is supposed to be to help farmers. What an idea. Yet seven out of eight dollars, again, seven out of eight dollars …
National Farm Health and Safety Week
It’s a week to focus on staying safe while working in agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. This is National Farm Health and Safety Week and this year’s theme is ‘No one can take your place’. Laura Siegel, the health communications officer for AgriSafe Network, says the week is an annual reminder of how important it is …
Prices of Retail Eggs Continue to Fall
If you’ve noticed you’re paying less for eggs, you’re not imagining things. Gary Crawford has the story coming up in today’s This Land of Ours report. A friend of mine called me to task this week for my coverage of the latest consumer price index for food. His complaint was that I neglected to talk about the price of pigs, …
AgNet Weekly: Rep. Kildee on Sugar Policy
Find out why Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) says ‘don’t touch’ the nation’s sugar policy. He joins host Sabrina Halvorson in this week’s AgNet Weekly. Each week we highlight essential legislative and policy conversations affecting agriculture nationwide. Host Sabrina Halvorson is a 30-year media veteran known nationally for her award-winning, balanced, and accurate reporting. For more than 10 years, she has …