USDA invites ideas on climate-smart ag policy To carry out President Biden’s goal of net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases from agriculture, the USDA said it would accept suggestions through April 30 on elements of a climate-smart agriculture and forestry policy. “This includes making the most of USDA programs, developing new… Continue reading
Higher blends and exports to carry ethanol out of pandemic U.S. ethanol production plunged 13 percent last year due to the pandemic, costing the industry around $4 billion in sales. But it may recover fully by 2023, on the strength of larger exports and rising domestic use of higher blends… Continue reading
Missed some ag news this week? Here are seven stories to catch you up. 1. The House on Wednesday passed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The bill passed without any Republican votes. Individuals making less than $75,000 will receive $1,400 direct payments. The bill also included enhanced jobless benefits…. Continue reading
Food box should be a model for USDA, not scrapped, say GOP lawmakers The USDA ought to keep President Trump’s glitzy food box giveaway program in operation rather than let it die at the end of April, said Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday. A food bank leader… Continue reading
Biden to sign bill with $4 billion in debt relief for minority farmers With Republicans complaining of discrimination against white farmers, the House passed a coronavirus bill on Wednesday that would provide an estimated $4 billion in debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers. Coronavirus bill offers aid as food… Continue reading
USDA extends school-meal waivers through September The USDA said Tuesday that it will extend a series of waivers to school meal programs through Sept. 30, as the pandemic hits its one-year mark and ongoing school closures continue to exacerbate food insecurity among low-income children. Covid-19 rates in meatpacking… Continue reading
USDA asks, is it time for Food Box 2.0? After spending nearly $5.5 billion in 10 months on its Farmers to Families Food Box program, the USDA said on Monday it was open to suggestions on a replacement. “While the food box effort served some communities well, it faced challenges… Continue reading
USDA debt relief for minority farmers is a certainty In just one month, a proposal for $4 billion in debt relief for Black and other socially disadvantaged farmers went from just-introduced legislation to a near-reality, needing only a final vote in the House as early as Tuesday. The Democrat-authored initiative… Continue reading
Rebound in Europe to fuel largest-ever global wheat crop World wheat production will rise for the third year in a row, with growers harvesting a record-large crop this year, say forecasts from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Grains Council. While they differ slightly on how large… Continue reading
Tackle hunger and diet quality at the same time, says Vilsack U.S. anti-hunger programs should address the twin challenges of nutrition — supplying enough food and encouraging diets built around healthy food — at the same time after decades of focusing on a lack of food for poor Americans, said… Continue reading
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