Harvesting biomass from forests is not only helping those forests’ health, it’s helping the country achieve energy independence. This news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) has removed 200,000 tons of biomass that could have been a fire risk and was turned into biofuels. “This initiative helps to retrieve forest residues that …
Specialty Crop Growers to Get Better Insurance
Growers of fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops will get some better protection courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This USDA news release says the agency will now provide greater protection from the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for crops that traditionally have been ineligible for federal crop insurance as part of the 2014 Farm Bill. “These new …
Commodity Classic Gets New Mobile App
Attendees of the upcoming Commodity Classic will have an easier time planning their schedules during the event. The mobile app, which can be downloaded from a variety of operating systems’ app stores, will give attendees fresh information on sponsors, trade show floor events, locations for sessions and exhibits, and other up-to-the-minute information on the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and …
Ag Broadcasting Legend Trobak Passes
A guy who was the golden voice filling the airways with information in Western Iowa has died unexpectedly. Neil Trobak, a 57-year broadcast veteran and member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), of Carroll, Iowa, was 82. His obituary and remembrance from Sharp Funeral Home is here. Neil Ivan was born on July 6, 1932 at Crooks, South …
Samuelson Honored by American Agri-Women
Award-winning ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson has been honored by the American Agri-Women (AAW) with its VERITAS award. This AAW news release says the group handed at the award at its 39th annual convention in Ohio. Its VERITAS award is the highest award given to a non-member. It is given annually to a person who has given public witness to “the …
2014 Census of Horticulture Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has started 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties. This news release says the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the survey that will provide a comprehensive picture of the horticultural sector of the U.S. economy, along with offering detailed production and sales data for the U.S. floriculture, nursery and specialty crop industries, including greenhouse food …
2015 Designated as International Year of Soils
The United Nations has designated 2015 as the International Year of Soils (IYS) to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of healthy soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. Soil Renaissance, a group led by our friends at Farm Foundation, is celebrating IYS and its first year in existence as a movement to make soil health the cornerstone …
Meet the New USFRA Faces: Thomas Titus
If you get a chance to talk to one of the newest representatives in the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) Faces of Farming and Ranching program, you’ll certainly be taken by more than just Thomas Titus’ impressive height (6’8″!). You’ll hear just how enthusiastic he is to talk about the world of agriculture. “Talking about agriculture was something instilled …
Meet the New USFRA Faces: Jay Hill
He is the youngest of five siblings and the only one who chose to follow in his father’s footsteps into farming, but Jay Hill of Southern New Mexico says it’s definitely not been boring. “You know, there’s some days when I thought, I should have been a lawyer or a doctor,” he told Cindy during an interview. “But I now …
Meet the New USFRA Faces: Erin Brenneman
She might not have started out an Iowa farm girl, but Erin Brenneman has embraced the role on her husband’s family pig farm in the southeast part of the state. “I was born and raised in the city, so I think that brings a unique perspective on farming,” the native of the Chicago suburbs told Cindy during an interview. Now, …