More proof of the health benefits of tree nuts. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In a paper published in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that consuming mixed tree nuts had a positive effect on the metabolism of the essential amino acid, tryptophan, in overweight and obese individuals. Specifically, there was an increase in both cardioprotective tryptophan metabolites and in …
Senators Ask White House for Enforcement Actions on USMCA
The top members of the Senate’s Finance Committee sent a letter to the White House asking the administration to pursue enforcement action against Canada and Mexico under the USMCA. Inside Trade says they’re concerned about areas where Canada and Mexico aren’t complying with the agreement’s rules, especially around energy and agriculture. Ron Wyden and Mike Crapo (CRAY-po), the top Democrat …
Grant Money Available for Urban Ag
A new opportunity for grant money from the USDA. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning …
Substantial Consolidation in Retail Food Market Since 1990
There’s been substantial consolidation in the retail food market in the last thirty years. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. food retail sector experienced substantial consolidation over the last three decades, according to data from USDA’s Economic Research Service. Market concentration, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, is a measure of the extent to which market …
Corn Growers Praise Biden Officials for Stance on Biotech Corn
Some national praise from the National Corn Growers Association. That’s Coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) praised the Biden administration for issuing an official rejection of a recent proposed compromise from Mexico on biotech corn imports into the country. The development came during a meeting between Mexican officials and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s …
NCBA Suing Biden Administration Over Endangered Species Listing
The Biden Administration is facing a lawsuit from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) over the listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the Endangered Species Act. NCBA has filed a Notice of Intent to sue the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It’s the first step in court toward overturning the listing revoking FWS’s final …
Farm Group Wants Investigation into Egg Prices
Should there be an investigation into the high price of eggs? That’s coming up on this land of ours. A U.S. farm group is asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look into the high prices of eggs and possible price gouging. Farm Action is a farmer-led advocacy organization that sent a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan to share …
Chocolate Market Growing
Chocolate is getting even more popular. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The global cocoa and chocolate market is seeing a growth spurt. According to a new research report, the global cocoa and chocolate market size & share was valued at $46.4 billion in 2021 and is projected to hit $69.1 Billion by 2030. Cocoa and chocolate are made from the cacao tree and …
Research into Bee Health May Lower Winter Colony Losses
New research may help lower winter bee losses. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agricultural Research Service scientists and their Chinese colleagues have identified a specific metabolic pathway that controls how honey bees apportion their body’s resources such as energy and immune response in reaction to stresses such as winter’s cold temperatures, according to recently published research. Entomologist and …
E-Application for 1890 National Scholars Program Introduced
It’s now easier to apply for an 1890 National Scholars Program. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week unveiled a new e-application for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. The program aims to encourage students at 1890s institutions to pursue food and agriculture career paths. For the first time, the new e-application for …