Rural Job Growth Shifting to High-Skill Workers

Dan Agri-Business, Labor and Immigration, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

There’s a shift in rural jobs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over the last two decades, the strongest rural job gains were in smaller industries that tend to employ high-skill workers. USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) reports the highest growth was in the real estate industry. According to experts like CALC job placement services, also showing rapid …

Republican House Agriculture Committee Members Announced

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative

We now know the Republican members of the House Agriculture Committee. Chair GT Thompson made the announcement this week. Fifteen Republicans are returning from last year, and there are 12 who are new to the committee this year. Notables from the Southeast who are returning are Austin Scott of Georgia, Kat Cammock of Florida, and Barry Moore of Alabama. There …

NASDA Conducts Vietnam Trade Mission

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, This Land of Ours, Trade

Exploring trade opportunities with Vietnam. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) members and leadership traveled to Vietnam last week. The delegation embarked on the organization’s first trade mission to explore global emerging markets through the Department of Agriculture Emerging Markets Program. NASDA President and Wyoming Department of Agriculture Director Doug …

Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Donations Surpass $4 Million

Dan This Land of Ours

Millions of dollars in donations for agriculture from a restaurant chain. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project has now eclipsed $4 million raised since its creation in 2013. Through initiatives organized by Culver’s on a systemwide level and the fundraising efforts of local restaurants throughout 2022, the program raised $750,000 toward its mission …

Farm Bureau Recognizes Young Farmers and Ranchers Competition Winners

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), This Land of Ours

Recognizing young farmers and ranchers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recognized the winners of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet, and Excellence in Agriculture Competitions. Young farmers and ranchers competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge, achievement, and commitment to promoting agriculture. Daniel and Carla Trantham of Alabama …

Farm Bureau Names 2023 Farm Dog of the Year

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), This Land of Ours

People’s Choice Pup Also Announced “We’re very excited to partner with Purina for the fifth annual Farm Dog of the Year contest, providing the public a look into daily life on the farm,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers love what they do, but it can be stressful, even on the best days. Because farm dogs often play …

Food Prices Drop in December BUT …..

Dan Economy, This Land of Ours

Food prices were a little lower in December, but still higher than the year before. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization’s Food Price Index dropped during December, but 2022 food prices were 18 percent higher than in 2021. The December index averaged 132.4 points, 2.6 points below November, the ninth-straight monthly …

NOAA Proposes Seafood Import Monitoring Expansion

Dan Aquaculture, Exports/Imports, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Proposed changes for seafood imports. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a proposed rule to expand the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. The risk-based program is for targeted species of seafood imported into the United States. NOAA says expanding the program would increase the number of species included in the …