Central U.S. Is Home to Miscanthus Biomass Crop Projects

July 6, 2011–The US Dept. of Agriculture is providing financial support for farmers to grow the grass in four project areas in four states. The goal is to substantially increase production of the crop, and USDA estimates about 4,000 jobs will be created.

Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture Acknowledged by Experts

July 6, 2011–The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America position statement addresses food and its security, feed, fuel, fiber, pollination, pest management, water availability, erosion control, greenhouse gas emissions from crop and livestock operations, research and development, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Feds Award Millions for Environmental Projects

June 22, 2011–There is local news in these USDA and USFWS grants. These on-the-ground projects involve specific groups and individuals, offering prime examples of programs you can investigate to see whether federal tax dollars are being effectively and efficiently spent.

Are Farmland Prices Ready To Burst?

March 30, 2011–If this happens, the agricultural community could suffer much as many people did after the recent housing-market implosion. It could significantly damage farmers, food production, certain banks, and bond holders who are the sole source of capital for some banks.

On-Farm Renewable Energy Generation Rises Sharply

March 30, 2011–The first national report on renewable energy generation on farms and ranches indicates that the number of solar, wind, and methane digestion energy sources is increasing substantially. The US Dept. of Agriculture report, based on 2009 data, provides information on multiple factors.

Food News Hooks: Safety, Healthfulness, Availability, Cost, and More

February 2, 2011–Much of your audience likely considers food a minor issue since they see it as generally available, affordable, healthy, environmentally benign, and unrelated to issues such as national security. You can help paint a more realistic picture for them, from the global to the local.

BLM To Disclose Names and Addresses of Grazing Rights Owners

January 19, 2011–Permittees and lessees of public lands are a key part of covering issues that involve grazing, hunting, public lands access, utility corridors, and related topics. The public comment period on BLM's proposal to identify these people closes Feb. 7, 2011.

Nearly 900 Farmers Markets Open in Winter

December 22, 2010–The US Dept. of Agriculture says that 898 of these markets are open during some or all of the winter, even in many northern states. The USDA inventory is searchable by state and city, and considerable detail is provided for each market.

SLAPP Win: Court Awards Legal Fees to Filmmaker in Dole Case

December 15, 2010–The makers of "Bananas!," which claimed that Dole's use of pesticides had caused harm to farm workers in Nicaragua, were awarded $200,000 in court costs and attorney fees.

Report: Nitrogen and Phosphorous Pollution Remains Serious Threat

September 29, 2010–The USGS study used data from thousands of locations to analyze trends from 1992 to 2004. You can probably find many local and regional stories as these pollutants contribute to various environmental and human health problems.