Specialty crops are once again getting a special focus in congress with the bipartisan 2024 Congressional Specialty Crops Caucus. Co-chairs include Republicans David Valadao of California and David Rouzer of North Carolina, and Democrats Jim Costa of California and Elisa Slotkin of Michigan. Representative Slotkin, a former national security official, says U.S. specialty crops are vital to the nation. “So, …
Farm Bureau Increases Top Prize for Ag Innovators
There’s a bigger prize for top ag innovators. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in partnership with Farm Credit, is doubling the top prize at this year’s Ag Innovation Challenge. Chase Heineman (HY-neh-man), director of industry affairs for AFBF, says Farm Bureau wants to ensure they have the resources to continue that …
AgNet Weekly: Rep. Austin Scott on Legislative Issues
This week we visit with Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA) who tells us why he thinks there should be separate farm and nutrition bills. He also discusses farm labor and trade with host Sabrina Halvorson. 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, …
FARMER Act Introduced to Help Agriculture and Beyond
New legislation aims to improve risk management in agriculture and supporters say it goes beyond the farm. Senator John Hoeven, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, this week introduced the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience (FARMER) Act. Hoeven says the legislation will strengthen crop insurance and make …
NMPF, IDFA Concerned with Final WIC Rule Reducing Access to Dairy
The dairy industry responds to a new WIC final rule. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) expressed disappointment in Tuesday’s final rule to update the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC. The final rule maintains the proposed rule’s cuts to …
Climate Change and Farming
The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health (MSCCH) brought together health, climate and food security experts to discuss how to better support food security along with human and planetary health ahead of the upcoming farm policy negotiations. Researcher Dr. Margiana Petersen-Rockney grew up on a dairy farm in California, then farmed on her own before going into research. She …
Political Aspects of Climate Change Affecting Farmers
The politics of climate change and how its affecting farmers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Researcher Dr. Margiana Petersen-Rockney says the topic of climate change is highly politicized in the United States, while it’s not political in other nations. And, she says the political aspect of the topic can cause difficulties for farmers.
Food Prices Halt Seven-Month Decline
Global food prices have dropped for the last seven months, but that may be slowing down. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization’s Food Price Index was 118.3 points in March, up 1.3 points or 1.1 percent from its revised February level. The rise in prices was driven by higher price indices …
HPAI Infection Found in Ohio Dairy Cattle
Another state confirms bird flu in dairy cattle. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Ohio now has its first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) found in a dairy herd. The state’s Department of Agriculture says it’s the first case of HPAI in an Ohio livestock operation. The dairy operation received cows from a Texas dairy on …
AgNet Weekly: Jacqueline Heard, CEO of Enko Inc.
In this week’s episode, we talk with Jacqueline Heard, the founder and CEO of Enko Inc. about starting an ag tech company in the current business environment, the successes she’s had, and the importance of building up the future of ag. Each week we highlight essential legislative and policy conversations affecting agriculture nationwide. Host Sabrina Halvorson is a 30-year media …