USDA says land near solar and wind farms tends to remain in agriculture
Solar and wind farms occupy a sliver of rural land — an estimated 424,000 acres in 2020 — but the large majority of renewable energy projects installed in recent years are located on agricultural land. USDA researchers, who looked at land cover three years before and three years after construction of energy projects, found that cropland or pasture-rangeland usually stayed in the same land cover even after the addition of solar or wind development.
J.D. Vance knows rural America. Tim Walz begs to differ.
For a generation or more, most of the politicians who visited towns like La Vista were Republicans who told their audiences a familiar story: that the government was in their way, that the welfare state was leeching their sweat and tears to service the lazy poor, that rugged individualism still reigned supreme. It’s the same story that Mr. Vance and his fellow Republicans are telling today. Mr. Walz is making a bold play to claw back the narrative by telling a different story — one that harks back to the prairie populists of the 20th century.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Spending bill includes USDA: House Speaker Mike Johnson proposed a three-month extension of government funding, including the USDA, at current rates until Dec. 20; the legislation calls for a one-year study of the risks to SNAP from EBT card skimming and card cloning and how to improve security. (House Rules)
‘Tail pipe’ resolution approved: On a 215-191 vote, mostly on party lines, the Republican-controlled House passed and sent to the Senate a resolution to overturn the EPA “tailpipe” regulation that tightens the limits on pollution from new cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs; foes say it unduly favors electric vehicles. (House Clerk)
Assistance for distressed farmers: At the Farm Aid concert, Farm Service Agency administrator Zach Ducheneaux said the USDA will launch the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network to provide personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers. (USDA)
First bird flu outbreak in nine weeks: Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed at a turkey farm with 62,800 turkeys in Merced County, California, the first U.S. outbreak of bird flu in a commercial flock since July 19. (USDA)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
The United Nations holds Summit of the Future as part of the opening week of the General Assembly session, through Thursday. The summit “underscores the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, while also tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises,” said the UN. Also scheduled are a discussion on Tuesday of Sustainable Development Goals; a plenary meeting on the threat of rising sea levels on Wednesday; and a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance on Thursday.
This week is known as “climate week” with dozens of events being held in New York City. The nonprofit Ceres planned events on Monday and Tuesday to urge private-sector action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Foodtank planned events to “highlight how agriculture and food are key in the fight against climate change.”
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture holds annual meeting, through Wednesday, Indianapolis.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
Renewable Fuels Association holds annual meeting, through Thursday, Milwaukee.
U.S. chief agricultural negotiator Doug McKalip takes part in a roundtable discussion with dairy and meat producers, processors, and industry groups, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Wednesday
U.S. chief agricultural negotiator Doug McKalip and White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden take part in a roundtable discussion, “Investing in Wisconsin,” hosted by the Wisconsin Farmers Union and the USDA, 2:30 ET, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
USDA releases monthly Food Price Outlook report, 9 a.m. ET. At present, food inflation is forecast at 2.3 percent this year and 2 percent in 2025. The long-term average is a 3 percent increase annually.
Thursday
USDA releases monthly Cold Storage, quarterly Hogs and Pigs, and annual Potatoes reports, 3 pm. ET.
Friday
USDA releases monthly Agricultural Prices and annual Turkeys Raised reports, 3 p.m. ET.
