The Boston Food Dialogues are underway here at The Station. Getting us started with opening remarks was Dr. A. Richard Bonanno, farmer and President of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation. I visited with him before we got started and asked him about his thoughts on the the topic here today of farm size and does it matter. He says “Everyone …
Farm Size: Does it Really Matter
It’s Food Dialogues day in Boston. The city seems to be pretty happy about some baseball game last night. Wonder what that was all about (C’mon Cards!). Back to food though. The moderator for today’s live event is Bloomberg News’ Alan Bjerga and our topic is “Farm Size: Does It Really Matter.” The event will take place from 1:00 p.m. …
Farming Simulator Coming to North America
There’s a new farming “game” coming to a Playstation or Xbox near you just in time for your holiday shopping. Farming Simulator invites you to the fun yet demanding world of a modern day farmer. Take on all the challenges of farming life, including animal husbandry (breed cows, chicken, and sheep), planting and harvesting crops, and managing the sales of …
The Fields Are A’fire
I know I’ve said it before, but I love this time of year – it’s invigorating. The sound of combines in the field; ladies taking PB&J sandwiches and coffee to the men who are harvesting and sitting on the tailgate for a few minutes to chat; the warmth of the sunshine on my face during my walks; sweatshirts and light …
Farm Foundation Talks Farm Bill Conference
The farm bill is coming closer to becoming reality, as Congress is about to start the legislation’s Conference Committee. Our friends at Farm Foundation will take a look at how work is progressing on the bill and how the outcome may effect the nation’s food and agriculture system during its next free forum, Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to …
House Passes Water Resources Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives proved Wednesday that it can agree on some matters and get legislation passed in a bipartisan way. By an amazing 417 to 3 vote, the House passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), a bill that includes provisions to update locks and dams on the nation’s transportation waterways critical to agricultural trade. The …
Checkoff Changes Marketing Direction in FY14
Millennials and other beef consumers can now see and hear the tantalizing sights and sounds of “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” messages without putting down their mobile devices or leaving the comfort of their keyboards and social-media circles. That’s thanks to a Sept. 25 decision by the 20-member Beef Promotion Operating Committee to make a major shift in strategic direction …
People Who Love Bugs Who Eat Bugs
The past president of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation, Tamara Leigh, shows off her Bekina Boots in this photo with several researchers. Tamara was presenting them with a thank you gift for taking time to meet with us. We were assembled in the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre during a stop on our CFWF farm tour. The Centre conducts research into …
Zimfo Bytes
Continuing its investment in the future of agriculture, Syngenta is proud to recognize Christian Mignano of the University of Florida as the 2013 recipient of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) education scholarship. A Philippine trade team will be in North Dakota October 23-24 to learn more about this year’s hard red spring wheat crop and visit with public …
What You’re Not Being Told About Food Production
Today the Animal Agriculture Alliance hosted a teleconference with various third-party experts to discuss industry improvements presented in the report “Advances in Animal Agriculture; What the Center for a Livable Future, Pew Commission and Others Aren’t Telling You About Food Production.” (pdf) Third-party experts on the call included: Dr. Richard Raymond, former Under Secretary, Food Safety Inspection Service, United States …