Category Archives: News

A Florida bio-energy plant has found a way to process horse manure into renewable energy, organic soil and bio-fertilizer, giving the state’s equine industry an efficient method of disposing of animal waste. The project, funded through the Florida Department of … Continue reading →

During a visit to The New School in New York City yesterday, Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced that USDA is accepting applications for competitive grants from the Farmers Market Promotion Program. About $5 million in grant money has been made available … Continue reading →

A year after Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced The People’s Garden Initiative, similar gardens — like the one in Washington, DC — are blooming across the United States. Coordinated by Farm Service Agency volunteers, the program encourages communities to set … Continue reading →

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified before the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee yesterday to offer a detailed account of USDA’s proposed budget for next fiscal year that will include the largest funding level for competitive research grants. More than $420 million … Continue reading →

Advocates of organic food are optimistic about USDA’s new rules that require animals to graze pasture at least 120 days a year in order to be considered organic. The new rules along with the agency’s decision to audit the National … Continue reading →

The Mount Washington City Council in Kentucky introduced an ordinance that would charge area farmers a $15 fee to sell their produce. The city currently has no provision for a farm-to-market license, but farmers should pay for a peddler’s license. … Continue reading →

Farm product prices have nothing to do with retail food prices paid at the supermarket. According to Agricultural Analyst John Urbanchuk, the farm share of retail food prices is small and steadily declining. The farm price component makes up eight … Continue reading →

Mississippi farmers and farm officials said subsidies provided through the U.S. Farm Bill keep farmers in business and help provide a sustainable food supply at an affordable price. According to local farmer Ross McGehee, “this is not corporate welfare by … Continue reading →

A panel of leaders from Whole Foods, Sysco Corporation, Bon Appetite Management Company and the science and technology advisor to the secretary of state joined USDA during its annual Agricultural Outlook Forum — held Feb. 18-19 in Arlington, Virginia — … Continue reading →

The complexity of risk management programs needs to be simplified and streamlined to effectively support the farmers and ranchers they serve, according to Vincent Smith, professor of economics at Montana State University, who spoke during the Jan. 19 “Risk Management” … Continue reading →