USDA trade nominee would pair market opening with enforcement
Asia is brimming with opportunities to win lifelong consumers of U.S. food and ag exports, said President Biden’s nominee for USDA undersecretary for trade on Thursday. At a Senate nomination hearing, Alexis Taylor said her priorities would be opening foreign markets to U.S. goods and the diligent enforcement of the rules governing trade agreements.
Biofuel groups push EPA to maximize RFS levels
The Renewable Fuel Standard is the most successful clean energy tool available to the government, which should make full use of it when setting the biofuel mandate for 2023 and future years, said farm and biofuel trade groups on Thursday. “What we’re really looking to take place with EPA is that they maximize the full potential of the RFS,” said Emily Skor, chief executive of Growth Energy.
Talks & Eats returns to Brooklyn 10/24!
The climate crisis in agriculture is a frequent topic of reporting here at FERN. But climate change is also having a significant effect on the global wine industry. How are vintners responding? In this conversation, wine writer Alice Feiring — proclaimed “the queen of natural wines” by the Financial Times — will join Sam Fromartz to talk about what she’s seen and what she’s worried about.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
For the win INN award: FERN’s four-part “Hot Farm” podcast won the Insight Award for Explanatory Journalism from the Institute for Nonprofit News in the “large newsroom” category. “The podcast takes listeners inside the lives of farmers who are trying new things to address climate change with great reporting and front-line storytelling,” the group said. (INN)
Kaptur gains ground: Political handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball changed its outlook for the House race in Ohio between incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur and Republican J.R. Majewski from toss-up to “leans Democratic.” (Sabato’s Crystal Ball)
Another dry year ahead: Californians should prepare for 2023 to be the fourth dry year in a row, say water managers, looking toward the Oct. 1 start of the new water year with the state’s reservoirs well below average levels. (Los Angeles Times)
Foundation offers hunger plan: Ahead of next week’s White House hunger summit, the Rockefeller Foundation recommended stronger federal nutrition programs, the adoption of a “food is medicine” approach to healthcare, and the use of purchasing standards that support healthier, more resilient, and equitable food systems. (Rockefeller Foundation)
Bigger grain, soy crops: Larger wheat and barley crops, mainly in Russia, Canada, and Australia, mean the 2022/23 global grain harvest will be 8 million tonnes bigger than thought, while the world’s soybean crop is expected to be the largest ever. (IGC)
