by UCSUSA.org Ranking the states on farm and food health About the scorecard From farm to fork, our food system should be something we are proud of—supporting farmers, workers, and local economies; ensuring that everyone has access to enough nutritious food to stay healthy; and protecting our soil and water for the future. How close…

by Luke Runyon, Matt Bloom & Esther Honig | Jun 13, 2018 An old water cliché tells us that “water flows uphill toward money.” It’s an adage born out of people’s frustrations about who benefits when water moves around in the Western U.S., popularized by author Marc Reisner’s 1986 book, “Cadillac Desert.” Like all persistent…

Folks have asked what the heck to think about the G-7 dumpster fire. Monbiot piece is spot on re. larger context. (Tho not accurate re. administration demands on NAFTA rengots, which in addition to sunset clause include elimination of ISDS, etc. ) I also pasted in my blog on a similar theme from last week,…

by Jeremy Frankel | May 17, 2018 The grain-growing region in the High Plains of America—known as America’s breadbasket—relies entirely on the Ogallala Aquifer. But long term unsustainable use of the aquifer is forcing states in the region to face the prospect of a regional economic disaster. As the High Plains states reach the verge…

Groups ask USDA to tighten ‘Product of USA’ labeling on meat By Christine Haughney 06/12/2018 12:01 PM EDT Two major agriculture groups filed petition with USDA on Tuesday asking for changes in 33-year-old regulations that have permitted foreign grass-fed beef producers to use a "Product of U.S.A." label if their beef passes through a USDA-inspected…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 12, 2018 Petition Filed to End USDA Practice of Allowing Foreign Meat to be Labeled “Product of U.S.A.” Washington, D.C. – Today, the American Grassfed Association (AGA) and the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) filed a petition with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)…

June 12, 2018 Washington, D.C. – Today, the American Grassfed Association (AGA) and the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) filed a petition with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) demanding FSIS policy be changed to ensure only U.S. domestic meat products can be labeled “Product of U.S.A.” The…

March 23, 2018 Scientist David C. Johnson Explores Microbial Communities, Carbon Sequestration and Compost David C. Johnson’s experimental findings and openness to new insights have turned him into a champion of microbial diversity as the key to regenerating soil carbon — and thus to boosting agricultural productivity and removing excess atmospheric CO2. His research, begun…

by Elizabeth Grossman This has not been a good week for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and other herbicides. On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it had classified glyphosate, the United States’ most widely-used pesticide, as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Now, the chemical has another strike against it. A study published…

Another “Zombie” brand joins the many other lost brands … Tyson Foods buys Smart Chicken owner, operations in Tecumseh, Waverly · MATT OLBERDING Lincoln Journal Star Jun 4, 2018 Tecumseh Farms in Waverly. Tyson Foods has bought the company, which owns the air-chilled chicken brand Smart Chicken. · GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star Smart Chicken, the…