Publication Items

NGOS Fill Federal Void on Plant Hardiness Zone Changes [1]

The American Horticultural Society and the National Arbor Day Foundation offer generalized hardiness maps as a starting point, until the US Department of Agriculture gets around to unveiling its own update.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [3]
Agriculture [4]
Planning & Growth [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about NGOS Fill Federal Void on Plant Hardiness Zone Changes [1]
Judge Allows Pool Video, Audio Coverage of WV Monsanto Trial [7]

In response to a request for live-streaming of the trial, the judge has expanded the gag order for the case, a class-action lawsuit seeking medical monitoring for people who may have been exposed to hazardous chemicals produced at Monsanto's former plant in Nitro, W.V.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [9]
Health [10]
Environmental Health [11]
Chemicals [12]
Agriculture [4]
Region:
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [13]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Judge Allows Pool Video, Audio Coverage of WV Monsanto Trial [7]
Winter Farmers Markets Provide Hook for Many Ag Issues [14]

The USDA says the number of winter farmers markets rose 38% from 2010 to 2011; 17% the year before. Coverage can include local foods, family-owned vs. corporate enterprises, validity of claims about being family-owned and/or local, food inspections, quality control, state, FDA and USDA regulations, immigration, unemployment, and career changes.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Food [15]
Agriculture [4]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Winter Farmers Markets Provide Hook for Many Ag Issues [14]
Advocates Push for and Against Crop Insurance [16]

As the federal budget battle continues, President Obama outlined on Sept. 19, 2011, a package of ideas designed to cut costs and increase income over the next decade. One element of the $3 trillion package is an $8.5 billion reduction in costs for crop insurance.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Economy & Business [17]
Agriculture [4]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Advocates Push for and Against Crop Insurance [16]
Contamination by Genetically Modified Rice Is Costly to Bayer [18]

Bayer CropScience has agreed to pay up to $750 million to about 11,000 farmers to compensate for contaminating two varieties of long-grain rice. The settlement requires participation of farmers who planted at least 85% of the average 2.2 million acres of long-grain rice grown each year from 2006 to 2009.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Pollution [19]
Agriculture [4]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Contamination by Genetically Modified Rice Is Costly to Bayer [18]
Central U.S. Is Home to Miscanthus Biomass Crop Projects [20]

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.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [21]
Agriculture [4]
Region:
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD) [22]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [23]
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [13]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [24]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Central U.S. Is Home to Miscanthus Biomass Crop Projects [20]
Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture Acknowledged by Experts [25]

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.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [3]
Agriculture [4]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture Acknowledged by Experts [25]
Feds Award Millions for Environmental Projects [26]

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.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Biodiversity [27]
Agriculture [4]
Climate Change [3]
Natural Resources [28]
Wildlife [29]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Feds Award Millions for Environmental Projects [26]
On-Farm Renewable Energy Generation Rises Sharply [30]

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.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [21]
Agriculture [4]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about On-Farm Renewable Energy Generation Rises Sharply [30]
Are Farmland Prices Ready To Burst? [31]

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.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Economy & Business [17]
Agriculture [4]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Are Farmland Prices Ready To Burst? [31]

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