Rural/Farming / Public News Service

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, net farm income is expected to increase by $7.3 billion. This comes when farmers are faced with a bevy of changes in their business.

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Farmers Adapting to Industry Changes

Farmers are adapting to numerous shifts in their industry, ranging from price hikes to the effects of climate change. A big change for agribusiness …

San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition is fostering an equitable local food system in part by providing bilingual farm business training and engaging the next generation of farmers. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Colorado Conservation Heroes Honored

Nine Colorado groups and individuals have been honored as "Conservation Heroes" for their outstanding contributions to land, water and wildlife …

Nuestras Ra�ces manages nine urban community gardens in Holyoke, plus four for the Holyoke Education System, supporting over 100 families with locally grown, fresh food. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Celebrating 30 Years of Puerto Rican “Agri-Culture” in Western MA

The Holyoke area is home to many Puerto Rican families who say they will do what they can to help people there as they recover from the latest hurrica…

In the early days of the pandemic, people repurposed rags and other household materials to make masks. (Adobe Stock)

Grassroots Mask-Making Showcases Appalachia's Radical Resourcefulness

At the onset of the pandemic, medical professionals struggled with cracks in communication which caused confusion and worry. Amid the misinformation…

Before the EPA's ban, Oregon had planned to phase out the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos by 2023. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

U.S. Pesticide Use Could Be on Docket in Trade Talks

As the United States enters into talks over a new trade framework with several nations, America's lax pesticide policy could be a sticking point for …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nationwide production value of broiler chickens, eggs, and turkeys in 2020 was $35.5 billion, down 11% from 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Pressure Builds on Costco to Commit to Better Poultry Practices

Watchdog groups say chickens used by Costco are bred to grow so quickly, many of them cannot stand under their own weight, and recent lawsuits …

No-till farming is considered one of several conservation practices in agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

New WI Report Provides Snapshot of Sustainable Farming Efforts

Greenhouse gas emissions have been potentially reduced by 50,000 tons in the state, with the help of Wisconsin farmers supported by a statewide …

Agricultural producers of color own over 73 million acres of farmland and rent or lease more than 21 million acres of farmland, according to a 2022 report from the Congressional Research Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Push to Reform Food Sector Through BIPOC, Immigrant-Owned Cooperatives

As more farm and food cooperatives pop up across North Carolina, advocates say they are creating a new model for food distribution and landownership …

Greenhouse-grown hydroponic tomatoes use 90% less water than traditional tomato crops grown outdoors, according to the U.S. National Park Service. (Caleigh Wells)

Future of Tomatoes in CA Drought: Hydroponic Farming?

By Caleigh Wells for KCRW.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KCRW-Public News Service Collaboration Wh…

Researchers say if states required more lighting and reflection on farm vehicles, traffic crashes involving this heavy equipment could decrease by more than half. (Adobe Stock)

Rules of the Farm Road: Safety Tips for Fall Harvest

As the fall harvest season takes shape in South Dakota, an agricultural specialist said there are many ways motorists and farmers can avoid crashes …

Agriculture experts say improving soil health on farmland is one of several components to reducing emissions from conventional farming. (Adobe Stock)

IA Gets Big Chunk of 'Climate-Smart' Farming Pie

Agriculture researchers say if the U.S. wants more farmers to adopt climate-friendly practices, they will need to be offered some proven incentives…

Researchers warn that as climate change increases wildfire areas in snow zones throughout the West, the wildfire influence on the snowpack also will grow. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Wildfires Expanding Into Snow Zones Will Impact Water Supplies

Wildfires in Wyoming and across the West are creating bigger impacts on snowpack supplying farms, energy production and drinking water for millions …

The pilot program in the CHIPS Act is based on legislation known as the RECOMPETE Act, written by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash. (Sherman Cahal/Adobe Stock)

An Asset for Distressed Rural Communities in PA

A little-known facet of the CHIPS and Science Act, passed in Congress this summer to boost the semiconductor industry, could benefit areas of rural …

In the U.S., some 67% of firefighters are volunteers, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. In New Hampshire, the percentage is even higher. (National Volunteer Fire Council)

Shortage of Volunteers Forces NH Fire Depts. to Step Up Recruitment

If you dial 911, it is more than likely a volunteer firefighter will respond to your emergency, but in the Granite State, there are not enough …

About 67% of firefighters in the United States are volunteers, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. (automatic6517/Pixabay)

Volunteer Firefighter Shortage Spurs MA Departments into Action

If you dial 911, it is more than likely a volunteer firefighter will respond to your emergency, but in Massachusetts, there are not enough volunteers…

Wildfires near farms in Whatcom and Skagit counties have made work in the fields hazardous for workers. (Alfredo Juarez)

Amid Wildfires, Heat, WA Farmworkers Call for Greater Protections

Washington state farmworkers are facing harsh conditions in the midst of wildfires and late-summer heat. They're calling for greater protections from …

Nearly every vehicle in the town of Wallowa, Ore., was affected by a hailstorm in August.(Marika Straw)

After Devastating Eastern OR Hailstorm, Neighbors Lend Support

After a devastating hailstorm in eastern Oregon, community members are lending each other a helping hand. In mid-August, a severe storm dropped …

The Inflation Reduction Act will lower energy costs for households and businesses, create manufacturing jobs for American workers and deliver a clean, secure, and healthy future for families. (Vitalli Vodolazskyi/AdobeStock)

Tennessee Rural Electric Co-ops to Benefit from Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act has made a historic investment of $370 billion dollars to fight climate change over the next decade. Among its benefits…

The Idaho Conservation League looked at data for 112 sewage treatment facilities in the state. (tuastockphoto/Adobe Stock)

Report: ID Sewage Treatment Plants Have Waste Issue of Their Own

Pollution is a major problem for wastewater facilities in Idaho. The Idaho Conservation League's fifth annual report on discharges from sewage …

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee won a collective-bargaining deal covering workers on tomato farms in Ohio in 1983, after an eight-year campaign and boycott. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Farm Workers Still Shut Out of Federal Labor Protections

An organization defending the rights of thousands of farmworkers in Ohio and other states is creating its road map for the future. The Farm Labor …

The National Farmers Union says the portion of American farmland that is foreign-owned has grown by about 60% in the last decade. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Anti-Corporate Farming Law Turns 90

Supporters of a long-standing North Dakota law emphasizing family farms are celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, at a time of increased debate …

If you put faith in predictions by the Old Farmer's Almanac, expect record-breaking cold in the eastern half of the United States this winter and above-average snow totals. (Claudia/Pixabay)

Old Farmer's Almanac Predicts 'A Tale of Two Winters' for 2023

Fall arrives in Texas next week, which means winter and its challenges will be right behind. But never fear, the Old Farmer's Almanac says it will be …

In 2017, the United States had around 48,000 farmers who identified as Black according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. (Adobe Stock)<br />

More Black Farmers Use Farm Service Agency Programs

Some farmers of color have been hesitant to interact with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency after a history of discrimination…

Environmental and family farm advocates say there's been a proliferation of large confined-animal feeding operations in states such as Minnesota, with most of them deigned for hogs. (Adobe Stock)

Rural MN Communities Fight Influence of Factory Farms

This week, a northern Minnesota county advanced a large-scale hog feedlot project. Opponents argued such operations are not what rural communities …

Miles Community College is in the eastern Montana town of Miles City, which has population of less than 9,000. (David Schott/Wikimedia Commons)

Virtual Learning Shrinks Distances for MT's Rural Students

Montana's big landscapes and sparse populations present a challenge to colleges and universities. But the internet is shrinking distances for the …

In bi-partisan fashion, Iowa leaders have championed wind energy development. But some say the state is behind in studying the broader impact of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

IA Leaders Face New Pressure to Study Climate Change

The effects of climate change, such as droughts and destructive storms, have been visible across Iowa in recent years. That's prompted calls for …

Supporters of managed grazing say grass-based farms and ranches are an important strategy for introducing new farmers and ranchers to livestock, because they're better for an operation's bottom line. (Adobe Stock)

WI Farmers to Get New Support for 'Managed Grazing'

Managed grazing is one of several ways farmers can implement climate-friendly practices, and after a lengthy absence, a key source of federal aid has …

in the late 1800s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began sending

Historic Arboretum Cracked Code to Growing in Wyoming

Before the invention of refrigerated shipping, people living across the High Plains had to grow their own food. As Europeans migrated into the region…

It's estimated that during World War II, some 20 million Americans planted

Can Municipal Canneries Make a Comeback?

It's that time of year when kitchens are bubbling over as home gardeners preserve their bounty. But there was a time when homegrown produce could be …

For the academic year 2020-2021, more than 139,000 students enrolled in West Virginia colleges, according to 'collegeevaluator.com.' (Adobe Stock)

College Rankings: WV Schools Highlight Low Tuition, Specialized Programs

Each year, a number of publications release their rankings of top colleges and universities. While rankings can help folks understand a school's …

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half of the contiguous United States is experiencing moderate to extreme drought. (Adobe Stock)

CT Farmers Work through Severe Drought Conditions

Since early May, much of Connecticut has been in a severe drought, leaving the state's 5,500 farms scrambling to adapt. Much of the Northeast is …

More than 60,000 kids in Colorado can't afford school meals, but don't qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, and two out of every five Colorado families struggle to put food on the table for their children. (Adobe Stock)

Ending School Lunchline Shaming on Colorado’s November Ballot

In November, Colorado voters will have an opportunity to end a practice known as "lunch-line shaming," which drew national attention after a Colorado …

Farmers face startup costs to diversify their crop rotations, but experts say the move can mean lower overall costs over the long run. (Adobe Stock)

Old Ideas About Farming Offer New Alternatives

The resilience of the U.S. food supply to disasters has become even more important in the time of climate change. Nebraska farmers, like others…

The RECOMPETE Act establishes a federal block-grant program to empower small, economically distressed communities. (Atstock/Adobe Stock)

RECOMPETE Act Could Bring New Jobs to Rural Michigan

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act, passed last month, aims to …

Projects like expanding broadband in rural areas will be available to communities under the infrastructure package passed last year. (mitgirl/Adobe Stock)

OR Rural Economies Get Assist in CHIPS Act

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities in Oregon and elsewhere a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act…

The timber industry has nearly disappeared in Washington state in the past three decades, creating challenges for communities. (Leslie C Saber/Adobe Stock)

$1 Billion Pilot Program from Congress Aims to Help Distressed Communities

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural Washington communities a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act, passed last …

Last year, Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. Smaller, rural communities want to be sure they aren't forgotten as those funds are allocated. They're hopeful an economic development provision in the CHIPS Act will even things out. (Adobe Stock)

Pilot Program Within CHIPS Act Could Help with Rural WI Development

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars. Municipal leaders in Wisconsin say this …

Last year, Congress approved a massive infrastructure bill. But rural community advocates say it's sometime hard to compete with bigger cities for that kind of funding. New development grants in the CHIPS Act are meant to create more fairness. (Adobe Stock)

Rural MN Could See Economic Jolt from CHIPS Act

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities in Minnesota and elsewhere a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act…

Planting native flowering plants in your yard instead of grass can help restore critical habitat for struggling pollinator species. (Adobe Stock)

Wanted: Next-Generation Beekeepers for Nebraska Farms

With the age of Nebraska's farmers and beekeepers on the rise, bee enthusiasts are encouraging more young people to check out the Great Plains Master …

According to recent USDA 'Farm to School' Census data, Minnesota schools that responded reported spending 13% of their budgets on local products. (Adobe Stock)

Disadvantaged MN Farmers to See New Business with School Meals

Farmers of color in Minnesota are expected to see new opportunities to get their products into school lunch programs. Their advocates said a major …

Dozens of eastern and southeastern Ohio counties are considered distressed or at risk. (Dan Keck/Flickr)

RECOMPETE Act: a Hidden Gem for Rural Ohio

There's a hidden gem for rural communities in new federal legislation to boost semiconductor manufacturing. The CHIPS Act includes the RECOMPETE …

Philipsburg is a small town in western Montana with fewer than 1,000 people, according to the 2020 Census. (mandritoiu/Adobe Stock)

CHIPS Act Creates Program to Lift Up Rural Economies

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act, passed last month, boosts …

The USDA says pollinators add more than $18 billion in revenue to crop production every year. The major U.S. crops pollinated by honey bees and other pollinators include almonds, non-citrus fruits, berries, melons and squash. (Milan/Adobe Stock)

Bee-Friendly "Pollinator Gardens" Put Food on Oregon Tables

A single bee can help produce more than 125 pounds of food every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Some Oregon groups are …

Last year, Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. Smaller, rural communities want to be sure they aren't forgotten as these funds are allocated. (knowlesgallery/Adobe Stock)

Rural Economies Set for Boost from Pilot Program in CHIPS Act

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural communities a leg up when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act, passed last month, boosts …

Media consolidation hit rural America harder during the pandemic, as there are now fewer news outlets to cover big stories like the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Media Coverage of COVID Underserves Rural Communities

COVID has been in and out of the news cycle for over two years now, but that news cycle is driven by the experience in major cities. Coverage of the …

Pennsylvania's 58,000 farm families continue to care for over 7.7 million acres of farmland. (asafaric/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act Seen as 'Win' for PA Family Farms

President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law Tuesday, which conservation groups see as a major victory in the battle against …

The Inflation Reduction Act includes tax credits for renewable energy, such as wind turbines. (Yay Images/Adobe Stock)

Historic Climate Action Bill Heads to President Biden's Desk

Congress has passed legislation making the largest investment in clean energy in U.S. history. It has grassroots organizations like Northern Plains …

The Padlock Ranch was established in northwest Wyoming in 1867 as a sheep operation. In 1940 the Northern Arapaho Tribe purchased and renamed it the Arapaho Ranch. (Hoffman)

Tour Set for Arapaho Ranch, Former Site of Historic Padlock

On August 27, members of the public will have a rare opportunity to visit the historic Padlock Ranch first developed for livestock in 1867, now …

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Rural/Farming