House task force pushes for climate action in 2023 farm bill
A House task force on climate and agriculture, led by Democratic Reps. Chellie Pingree of Maine and Kim Schrier of Washington State, released a report Thursday recommending policies for the 2023 farm bill to make it as climate-friendly as possible.
Pandemic ‘bump’ to WIC would become permanent in USDA plan
The Agriculture Department proposed an update to the WIC program on Thursday that would let participants buy three, or even four, times as many fruits and vegetables and would broaden the range of foods available through the program to reflect the diversity of the American diet.
Report suggests big changes for ag in Upper Rio Grande River basin
Taking more farmland out of production and increasing irrigation efficiency on farms were two of the management options that could boost water flow in parts of the parched Rio Grande, according to the first report card for the Upper Rio Grande River basin, which was released Thursday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Black farmers sue: The National Black Farmers Association is suing the U.S. government for backtracking on its debt-relief plan. (Modern Farmer)
COP27 focus on farms: New initiatives will shift the climate focus to agriculture, including an effort to help smallholder farmers reduce methane in their dairy systems. (Reuters)
Starbucks strikes: Starbucks workers at more than 100 U.S. stores went on strike Thursday in their largest labor action since a campaign to unionize the company’s stores began late last year. (AP)
Meat emissions: New research shows that the world’s 15 largest meat and dairy operations emit roughly as much methane as the entire European Union. (Grist)
