The Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act was introduced this session by a group of Senators looking to make changes to agricultural checkoff programs. Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Ethan Lane says there’s more to it than that. He joins us on the AgNet Weekly podcast. Each week we highlight essential legislative and policy …
Health Benefits of Gardening
Gardening can be good for you. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. According to the National Garden Bureau, there are several ways gardening is good for us. Here are five of them. The National Garden Bureau was founded more than a century ago and strives to educate, inspire, and motivate people to grow home gardens. Listen to Sabrina Halvorson’s …
USDA Investment in Rural Renewable Energy
Helping rural towns with renewable energy projects. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small this week announced an investment of $6.6 million across the country to help people living in rural towns develop community-sized renewable energy projects that will help them lower their energy costs and create jobs. These …
Beginning Farm Operations Tend to be in the South and West
There are two regions where new farmers are more concentrated. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Beginning farms tend to be more concentrated in Southern and Western States than in other areas of the United States, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). Data published Monday by ERS shows that in some counties in California and Texas, the …
NRCS Invests to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic Production
The NRCS is investing $75 million to assist producers transitioning to organic production. As part of the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise.? NRCS will dedicate $70 million to assist producers …
Ford Keeping AM Radios in Commercial Vehicles
A major car manufacturer is dropping AM from many new models. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new report says Ford will keep AM radios in certain vehicles. The company plans to exclude AM radio from “most new and updated vehicles we bring to market” but also says commercial vehicles will continue to have AM radios. Say …
AgNet Weekly: ASTA Farm Bill Recommendations
Research and innovation, fairness to farmers when it comes to conservation programs. Those are just some of the recommendations the American Seed Trade Association has for the 2023 Farm Bill. Joining us on the phone this week is President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, Andy LaVigne. Each week we highlight essential legislative and policy conversations affecting agriculture …
Poll Shows Voters Want Year-Round E15
A new poll shows consumers want more choices at the gas pump. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new poll shows support among voters for year-round access to E15 across the country. The poll was sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association and conducted by Morning Consult. It found that 70 percent of respondents were in favor of …
AgNet Weekly: Food as Medicine
Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association, joins host Sabrina Halvorson to talk about food as medicine and how some government programs can help people get the right healthy foods to battle illnesses that are affected by nutrition such as diabetes and heart disease. Each week we highlight essential legislative and policy conversations affecting agriculture nationwide. Host Sabrina …
USDA Announces Additional Help for Distressed Farmers
There’s additional help for some farmers who need it. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Starting in April, the USDA will provide approximately $123 million in additional, automatic financial assistance for qualifying farm loan program borrowers who are facing financial risk, as part of the $3.1 billion to help distressed farm loan borrowers that was provided through Section …