As we prepare for our annual Independence Day celebration this story struck a chord with me. We may not have had the type of military we have today back in 1776 but we had courageous and committed men and women who fought for and won our independence from a tyrannical government. To this day we still have the finest military …
Research Will Help Farmers Discuss Sustainability
The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) recently completed an extensive research project that dug into consumer perceptions about sustainability, and the findings may help producers continue to break through communication barriers and effectively get their story out to the increasingly disconnected consuming public. Paul Spooner, Manager of Affiliate and Ag Communications for USFRA, sat down with AgWired’s Jamie Johansen …
USFRA Wants You as the Next Faces of Farming & Ranching
You can be the next face to farming and ranching. U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is looking for the next class of Faces of Farming & Ranching to tell their stories about how today’s food is grown and raised. The USFRA team was out in full force during the recent World Pork Expo and we caught up with them …
New Bill Would Address On-Farm Fuel Storage
Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has introduced legislation that would modify EPA regulations regarding on-farm fuel storage. The bill, known as the Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship (FUELS) Act, is co-sponsored by Committee Chairman Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK). “I am proud to introduce the Senate-version of the FUELS Act, which would …
USDA Unveils New Urban Agriculture Toolkit
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently unveiled the USDA Urban Agriculture Toolkit, a new resource created by USDA’s Know Your Farmer team that intends to help entrepreneurs and community leaders use urban agriculture to successfully create jobs and increase access to healthy food in their communities. The announcement was made during the opening of a new school community garden at Frederick …
AFBF Hosts Webcast On Labor Visa Backlogs
Delays from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the processing of visas for farm workers are fast approaching crisis proportions, increasing the threat that crops will rot in the field on many farms this year, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall said in a media conference call this week. …
Growing Global Solutions to Grow Better Agriculture
A new non-profit organization, Growing Global Solutions, has been formed to help agricultural organizations improve their efficiency. Industry veterans Janice Dahl and Jim Butler have founded the organization together with the goal of working with top-tier organizations that want to evaluate progress and reach peak efficiency. With expertise specifically in agriculture, the pair decided the industry would benefit from an …
Study Shows How Farmers are Dealing with Downturn
J.L.Farmakis, Inc has just released a new research study conducted in February by Millennium Research that shows plans farmers are making this year in reaction to lower commodity prices. Among the findings of the “Farmer Speaks Study” are: • Half of the farmers surveyed are seeking off-farm employment • 74% will switch to generics or change brands of crop protection …
Wheelchair Accessible Indoor Farm Designed
Indoor Farms of America recently announced the arrival of a new farm model to their product line. The state of the art Container Farm is specially designed to be fully operated by a person in a wheelchair, expanding the population of users who are able to enjoy the fulfillment of operating a vegetable farm that can produce a substantial income …
Pope Francis Prays for Small Farmers
Each month the Pope publishes a special prayer intention. The faithful are encouraged to add their prayers to his. For April, 2016 he Holy Father’s universal prayer intention is: “That small farmers may receive a just reward for their precious labour”. I say a big AMEN to that prayer and hope you’ll join in. Pope Francis also issues a prayer …