When ag labor costs rise, specialty crop growers are usually among those hit hardest. Now, a new USDA report goes in-depth on how fruit and vegetable growers are handling the higher costs of labor. The report says farm labor costs increased from 2010-19 for several reasons, including fewer newly-arrived unauthorized workers, rising State minimum wages, and new requirements to pay …
USDA Helping Issue Child Food Benefits for Summer
Helping keep kids fed during summer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA is partnering with states and territories across the country to work with urgency to provide food benefits for the summer months to eligible children. As of July 8, 27 states and territories, including Puerto Rico, are set up to provide these benefits to an …
World Food Prices Fall in June
Costs may still feel high, but food prices are falling. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. World food prices fell for a third straight month in June. However, the United Nation’s food agency says those prices are close to record levels set in March. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s food price index tracks the most globally-traded food commodities, …
Ag Groups Call for Swift Confirmation of New Chief Ag Negotiator
A coalition of almost 100 American food and agriculture organizations called for the prompt confirmation of Doug McKalip as the Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office. In the letter to the U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee, the groups highlighted McKalip’s deep knowledge of the food and agriculture industry and his institutional, regulatory, and trade experience. The groups also …
Farm Bureau Foundation Awards Ag Literacy Grants
Farm Bureau is encouraging ag literacy. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture awarded $9,400 in grants to recognize agricultural literacy programs of ten state and county Farm Bureaus. The grants are funded through the White-Reinhardt Fund for Education program, which acknowledges communities that are engaging with students on the fundamental role of agriculture …
Ethanol Industry Hopeful for E15 Win
The ethanol industry is hopeful of a final win soon on a permanent fix for restricted summertime E15 sales. The House has already acted as part of a package of livestock competition bills to permanently allow summertime E15 sales that received a Biden waiver just for this summer. Now, Renewable Fuels Association chief Geoff Cooper says it’s up to the …
USDA: Adult Obesity Increased During Pandemic
An additional effect on our health from the pandemic. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. USDA’s Economic Research Service reports behavior changes during the pandemic exacerbated an already existing adult obesity epidemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in 2020, studies using limited online surveys found evidence of weight gain among U.S. adults. However, because the pandemic surveys did not represent …
Farm Dog of the Year Nominations Closing Soon
Nominations are closing soon, for a farm bureau honor for your four-legged friends. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. If you haven’t nominated your pup for the Farm Dog of the Year, now’s the time. Nominations close on July 15. Farm Dog of the Year is an annual competition held by the American Farm Bureau Federation and supported by Purina. …
USDA to Resurvey Some Planted Acreage
The June 30 acreage report from USDA shows farmers planted slightly less acres than last year. However, American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Economist Veronica Nigh says USDA will resurvey some planted acreage, which could change the data. “USDA’s June 30 acreage report indicates that for the ’22-23 crop year, farmers planted 237.8 million acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton,” …
NMPF: Prioritize Food Access at Hunger Conference
Prioritizing a discussion on food access. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) recently led eleven national agriculture, anti-hunger, nutrition, and medical groups in a virtual listening session with the White House on food access. The White House is holding its Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September, and the groups want …