Honeybees are vital for much of our food, but they continue to struggle. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Pollinators are currently in the spotlight, as it is National Pollinator Week. We checked in with beekeeper and former president of the American Beekeeping Federation, Gene Brandi, who said there are still problems for honeybees. “Honeybees in the USA are still …
National Pollinator Week Kicks Off
It’s a time to celebrate the bugs that keep us alive. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. National Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It’s a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a United States Department of Agriculture …
APHIS Funding for New Pest Management Projects
Funding to help new developments when it comes to plant pests. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invites stakeholders to submit project suggestions for fiscal year 2023 Plant Protection Act funding. APHIS will provide $75 million in plant protection funding for these projects, including at least $7.5 …
American Agri-Women Name 2022 Champion of Agriculture
A lawmaker is named the 2022 Champion of Agriculture. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. The American Agri-Women have named their 2022 Champion of Agriculture. Earning the title this year is Congressman Doug LaMalfa of California. The AAW Champion of Agriculture Award is presented to members of Congress and the U.S. Senate who have displayed exemplary courage in presenting and …
Tea Tree Oil Applications in Ag
Using tea tree oil to fight agricultural problems. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Tea tree oil is a home remedy for many things, everything from acne to insect bites, but it also has a use in large-scale agriculture. Dr. Eric Tedford with Summit Agro USA, which recently launched a new tea tree oil product, says the oil provides added …
USDA: School Foods Offer Richest Source of Dairy in Children’s Diets
Where children get the most dairy in their diet. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Economic Research Service released new data showing schools are the richest source of dairy in children’s diets. The data comes from 2017-2018, for children between two and 19 years old. These foods provided an average of 1.99 cups of dairy products per …
General Mills Invests $3 Million to Scale Eco-Harvest by ESMC
An investment in ecosystems from a major company. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. General Mills and Ecosystem Services Market Consortium announced a multi-year roadmap to scale Eco-Harvest. The market program by ESMC recognizes and rewards farmers for beneficial environmental outcomes from regenerative agriculture. The roadmap focuses on priority regions in the U.S. and Canada where General Mills sources its …
2022 Dairy Sustainability Award Winners
Honoring sustainable dairy producers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program recognized a class of seven exceptional farms, businesses and partnerships for their socially responsible, economically viable, and environmentally sound practices and technologies that have a broad and positive impact. This year’s winners displayed excellence in areas such as methane and other greenhouse …
Celebrate Avocados in June
A ten-year milestone for a certain fruit. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Ten years ago, the California Avocado Commission first observed June as the official California Avocado Month and they continue the tradition this year. Avocados are grown by about 3000 California growers primarily with Groves from San Diego to Monterey. The California Avocado Commission was created in 1978 …
Extensive Study Says GMO Corn Not Harmful to Non-Target Insects
What a new study says about GMO corn. That’s the subject of today’s This Land of Ours. The largest, highest quality analysis of data ever conducted on the subject shows that genetically modified Bt corn has little impact on nontarget insects and other organisms, especially compared to growing conventional corn. This study was published this week in Environmental Evidence by …