California farmworker bill will reduce intimidation during union elections In a remarkable reversal, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Wednesday that will make it easier for farmworkers to vote in union elections, after indicating that he would veto the bill only weeks before. The governor changed course after facing… Continue reading
An $8 billion response to fight hunger President Biden’s goal of ending hunger and reducing diet-related disease by 2030 already is backed by $8 billion in commitments from the private sector, medical groups, schools and charities, said senior administration officials. Biden was to deliver “a call to action to all… Continue reading
To end hunger, White House backs more free school meals and healthier food choices The Biden administration on Tuesday proposed panoramic action to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030, including a “pathway” to free school meals for all students, expansion of SNAP, development of front-of-package nutrition labels and… Continue reading
EPA withdraws interim registration, but glyphosate remains in use The EPA withdrew its interim approval of glyphosate, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, while insisting that the herbicide is safe to use and does not cause cancer. In a court filing, the EPA said it would concentrate on… Continue reading
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… Continue reading
Rural broadband projects get $500 million in USDA funding The Biden administration announced a half a billion dollars in grants and loans for high-speed internet projects in rural areas from Alaska to Alabama on Thursday, with more awards expected soon. The 2021 infrastructure bill set aside billions of dollars for… Continue reading
Farm-state Republicans object to climate focus in land stewardship Climate mitigation does not deserve priority over other soil and water conservation goals notwithstanding the $20 billion earmarked for it, said two senior Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. “I don’t feel bound by the amount of funding or… Continue reading
‘Farm and Rural’ are not synonymous! More and more of America’s farmers rely on off-farm income at the same time that agriculture accounts for a smaller share of rural employment nationwide, said a University of Missouri study on Monday. The analysis, commissioned by agricultural lender CoBank, said the majority of… Continue reading
Food insecurity rises 10 percent in low and middle income countries Nearly one-third of the people in 77 low- and middle-income countries are food insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to enough food for a healthy and active lifestyle, said an annual USDA report. The 9.8-percent increase to 1.3 billion… Continue reading
Finally, U.S. lists biotechnology and ‘agricultural industrial base’ as national security interests President Biden directed the Treasury-led committee that scrutinizes foreign investment in America to consider the national security impact any deals would have on U.S. technological leadership, including biotechnology and “elements of the agricultural industrial base that have implications… Continue reading
USDA News & Features Organic Food Features