Rural/Farming / Public News Service

A white paper from ReImagine Appalachia estimates that reforestation of mountaintop removal sites could absorb 8% to 10% of carbon emissions in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. It's the type of project a new CCC could take on. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Casey's Civilian Conservation Corps Could Help Fight Climate Change

HARRISBURG, Pa. - U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., wants to bring back the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public-works program from the 1930s that created …

Federal food assistance programs, including SNAP and Nebraska's Farmers Market Nutrition Program for seniors and families with children, ensure that farmers get fair market prices for their goods. (Adobe Stock)

Double Up Food Bucks Program Boosts Farmer’s Markets

LINCOLN, Neb. -- After a new state law expanded eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program formerly known as …

Industry observers say just four companies control nearly 80% of all the beef slaughtered in the United States. Advocates for livestock producers say it affects their bottom line. (Adobe Stock)

Through USDA Efforts, Ranchers Flex Some Selling Muscle

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- The beef or chicken you buy from the grocery store is often processed by the same small number of companies. Advocates for …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Black farmers own just 0.52% of the nation's farmland. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Over Federal Aid Underscores Barriers for BIPOC Farmers

EAST TROY, Wis. -- Wisconsin is at the center of a lawsuit targeting federal debt relief for farmers of color. The suit was filed this spring by a …

Chronic wasting disease spreads through prions, which, unlike bacterial and viral infections, don't die with infected animals. Prions persist in the soil, and can be transmitted to animals through plants growing in infected areas. (Adobe Stock)

WY Game and Fish Moving Ahead on Elk Feedground Planning

JACKSON, Wyo. -- Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is expected to be a hot topic next week when the Wyoming Game and Fish Department kicks off phase two …

The bipartisan infrastructure framework includes $5 billion to invest in Western water storage. (Andy/Adobe Stock)

Rural U.S., Climate Resilience Seen as Winners in Infrastructure Package

BOISE, Idaho -- Supporters from both sides of the aisle are touting a $1.2 trillion infrastructure framework taking shape in Washington, D.C…

Cover crops can improve water infiltration into the soil and some, like legumes, also are natural fertilizers. (bmargaret/Adobe Stock)

Report: Indiana Farmers Planted More Cover Crops than Ever

INDIANAPOLIS -- There's good news for soil conservation efforts in a new survey by the Indiana Conservation Partnership: Farmers in the state planted …

With more than 630,000 employees nationwide, the U.S. Postal Service is one of the largest civilian employers in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers May Ask USPS to Delay Rate Hike Until Next Year

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Some lawmakers say they want the Postal Service to delay until next year a mail price hike slated for the end of this summer…

Several agriculture commodities, including poultry, are controlled by four or five large corporations within each market. (Adobe Stock)

Down on the Farm: More Competition and Market Fairness

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Farmers all over the U.S. contribute to the nation's food supply. But the meat and chicken you buy at the market typically is …

Washington state produces 70% of the country's apples. (Michele Benoy Westmorland, Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

In Heat Wave's Wake, WA Advocates Call for Farmworker Protections

SEATTLE - Washington state farmworkers were among the most vulnerable during the Northwest's deadly heat wave. As the state feels more effects from …

Illinois is responsible for 20% of the nitrates that have caused a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, and thousands of rural water wells across the state have high levels of nitrates. (bmargaret/Adobe Stock)

Report: More Data Needed on Nitrates in Rural IL Wells

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A new report finds that thousands of drinking-water wells in Illinois are contaminated with high levels of nitrates. Clean-water …

An average of 1.7 million WIC participants receive Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits each year. (Adobe Stock)

WIC Families Can Now Get Vouchers for Farmers Market Purchases

DENVER -- Participants in WIC, the federal nutrition assistance program for women, infants, and children, can now get vouchers to buy food at farmers …

For decades, farmers have called on the USDA to take antitrust action against what they say is anticompetitive behavior in consolidated ag markets. (Adobe Stock)

ND Farmers: Antitrust Work Needs to Result in Votes

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- Voices for North Dakota farmers feel they're only at the halfway point in seeing more fairness within agriculture markets…

OEFFA's 2021 Sustainable Food and Farm Tour will feature an organic dairy pasture walk. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Farm Tour Series Back after Pandemic Pause

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Some farmers and growers in Ohio are ready to share their knowledge and showcase the work they do to get food from the field to the …

Independent cattle ranchers feel the squeeze from large meatpacking companies such as JBS. (Gerwin Schadl/Adobe Stock)

Cyberattack Offers Chance for Reform in Meat Industry

HELENA, Mont. -- Ranchers see opportunities for reform in the wake of a cyberattack on the world's largest meatpacking company. JBS controls nearly …

Browntail moth cocoons can be found on the outsides of buildings and vehicles, on outdoor equipment, plant stems, branches and foliage. (Robirensi/Adobe Stock)<br /> — Browntail moth cocoons can be found on the outsides of buildings and vehicles, on outdoor equipment, plant stems, branches and foliage. (Robirensi/Adobe Stock)

Mainers Urged to Avoid Poisonous Browntail Moths

WATERVILLE, Maine - Maine is facing another outbreak of browntail moths, an invasive caterpillar species with tiny hairs that are poisonous to humans…

More sustainable agriculture practices have several benefits, including less water usage. (Worawut/Adobe Stock)

Carbon Summit in ID Aims to Grow Sustainable Ag Movement

CALDWELL, Idaho -- An event in Idaho this week hopes to plant seeds for the sustainability movement in agriculture. The Carbon Summit will be held …

In Nebraska, the homeownership rate for Latino residents is 42%, compared with 70% for non-Latino white residents. (SOS Wildlife Control)

Home Loan Program Aims to Boost Rural Economies

LYONS, Neb. -- Homeownership remains out of reach for many hard-working Nebraska families because of stagnant wages and lack of access to traditional …

While popular in summer, nearly $20,000 in Market Bucks were spent during the winter season at Minnesota farmers markets, according to the last annual report for the program. (Adobe Stock)

MN Lawmakers Urged to Spare 'Market Bucks' Funding

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. - A popular program that gives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients better access to healthier foods at Minnesota …

According to the FCC, at least 18 million Americans lack fast and reliable internet. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — According to the FCC, at least 18 million Americans lack fast and reliable internet. (Adobe Stock)

COVID Relief Program Offers $50 a Month Toward Internet Bills

WHITESBURG, Ky. - The Federal Communications Commission says it's providing $50 a month direct payments toward internet bills to those who sign up …

Bumblebees can die or be rendered sterile by systemic pesticides present in flower pollen. (PANNA)

Working in the Garden? Don't Forget About Bee Safety

PIERRE, S.D. - Pollinator gardens are gaining popularity this spring, but some well-meaning gardeners may not realize they could be harming the …

Conservation groups have launched a campaign to stop nurseries from selling pollinator-friendly plants such as milkweed that have been grown with harmful pesticides. (Pixabay)

Nurseries, Spring Gardeners Invited to Help Save Bees, Butterflies

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- As the spring gardening season gets into full swing, groups fighting to save bees and other pollinators are asking nurseries …

Illinois' Partners for Conservation Fund, which has been around since the mid-1990s, supports conservation programs, including the Soil and Water Conservation Districts around the state. (Adobe Stock)

IL Budget Crunch Leaves Ag Conservation Funds in Danger

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Some Illinois farmers say they want to help protect natural resources, but incentives are crucial to making that happen. A …

The Colorado Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program distributes money to charitable pantries, who must spend the money purchasing food from local farmers and other producers. (Pixabay)

Anti-Hunger Advocates Call for Expanding Pantry Grant

LAFAYETTE, Colo. -- Anti-hunger advocates are calling on Colorado lawmakers to expand funding for the state's Food Pantry Assistance Grant. …

Wyoming is home to many wildlife-killing contests, including the Wyoming Best of the Best and other privately-run events. (Project Coyote)

Billboard Campaign Aims to End Wildlife-Killing Contests in Wyoming

CODY, Wyo. -- Drivers traveling from Cody to Yellowstone National Park will see a large billboard featuring a wolf and a call to action to end a …

Broadband advocates say it isn't just lack of Wi-Fi options or slow downloads causing internet access issues. The cost of service is often a barrier for people to stay connected. (Adobe Stock)

Temporary Program Can Help WI Residents with Internet Bills

TOMAHAWK, Wis. - Wisconsin residents struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic can turn to a federal program for help. Supporters say …

At least 102 state legislators are backing a North Carolina bill that would allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to practice independently, without physician oversight. (Adobe Stock)

Support Grows for NC Advanced Practice Nurses Operating Independently

RALEIGH, N.C. - As many Advanced Practice Registered Nurses inch closer to retirement, they're unsure who will fill their shoes. They point to North …

Aside from training programs, removing barriers to land access is seen as another way to attract younger farmers as the agriculture industry ages. (Adobe Stock)

IA Program Aims to Usher in Next Generation of Farmers

AMES, Iowa - Iowa farmers have been busy with the spring planting season. As operations hire workers for the summer, a nonprofit connects them with …

In the United States, hydroponic food production is estimated at $555 million a year, with a projected annual growth of more than 3% over the next decade. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — In the United States, hydroponic food production is estimated at $555 million a year, with a projected annual growth of more than 3% over the next decade. (Adobe Stock)

Food Groups Appeal Decision to Certify Hydroponic Crops as Organic

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- This week, the Center for Food Safety, along with a coalition of organic farmers and other groups, appealed a district court …

A family of endangered Mexican gray wolves will be released on property owned by communications magnate Ted Turner, where work to breed endangered Bolson tortoises, aplomado falcons and threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs has been successful. (rewilding.org)

Mexican Gray Wolf Family Relocates to Friendlier NM Hunting Grounds

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Mexican gray wolf is so threatened with extinction it was not included in the Trump administration's order to remove other …

This is the type of display seen on billboards in northern Wisconsin, posted by a group of sportsmen and women opposed to wolf hunts. (Jim Brandenburg)

WI Hunters Turn to Highway Signs in Effort to Protect Wolves

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- Opposition to wolf hunts in Wisconsin is becoming more visible, and not only in public hearings or on social media. Drivers might …

Hoosiers will soon start hearing the cicadas' Brood X mating call at a constant, high volume. And it's expected to last four to six weeks. (Smuangtim/Adobe Stock)

Surviving Cicada Swarm May Mean Protecting Young Trees

INDIANAPOLIS - The largest brood of 17-year cicadas, known as the Great Eastern Brood, is on its way - and Hoosiers can expect to see their swarms …

The Court Help Connect program in 11 locations across Montana helps folks fill out legal documents. (BillionPhotos.com/Adobe Stock)

Program Brings Civil Legal Help to Rural Montanans

HELENA, Mont. -- Legal documents can be hard to parse, and for rural Montanans, and it also can be hard to find help filling out those documents…

The Bureau of Land Management oversees 245 million acres of land, including eight million in Montana. (Bob Wick/BLM)

Conservation Groups Applaud Montanan Picked to Head BLM

HELENA, Mont. -- Conservationists are praising President Joe Biden's selection to head the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Tracy Stone-Manning …

Citrus crop losses in Texas were estimated at $230 million following February's freak winter storm, according to AgriLife Extension at Texas A&M. (sanantonio.org)

Rescue Plan May Reduce Hunger, But Threats Linger

AUSTIN, Texas -- Scientists expect climate change to increase extreme weather events such as the rare deep freeze that hit Texas in February…

Agriculture observers say digital connectivity could be an emerging force in the coming years as farmers try to become more efficient and avoid disruptions to their work. (Adobe Stock)

ND Hopes to Serve as Epicenter of Farms Going Digital

FARGO, N.D. -- A North Dakota project, Grand Farm Education and Research Initiative, looks to play a role in steering farming innovation, in the U.S…

The new BLM director is expected to review the Uncompahgre Resource Management Plan, which critics say favored oil and gas development. (Pixabay)

Conservationists Praise Biden’s BLM Pick

DENVER -- President Joe Biden's pick to direct the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is getting high marks from conservationists. Aaron Kindle…

President Joe Biden has nominated longtime environmentalist Tracy Stone-Manning to serve as director of the Bureau of Land Management. (NWF Photo)

Conservationists Laud Choice of Stone-Manning to Head BLM

MOAB, Utah -- Conservationists in Utah and across the West are praising the Biden administration's nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning, a longtime …

At least 7,382 COVID-19 cases have been traced to meatpacking plants across the state since the start of the COVID public health emergency. (Kansas State Research and Extension/Flickr)

Nebraska Lawmakers to Debate Meatpacking Worker Protections

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska lawmakers are scheduled to debate the Meatpacking Employees COVID-19 Protection Act today. Sen. Tony Vargas, D-Omaha…

Some students in the San Luis Valley, especially young people of color, may not have been able to participate in the types of outdoor recreation that many Coloradans take for granted. (ArtTower/Pixabay)

Students in San Luis Valley Needed for Whitewater Rafting, River Surfing

ANTONITO, Colo. - Middle- and high-school students in Colorado's San Luis Valley will get to go whitewater rafting for the first time this summer…

Toxic algae blooms driven by excess nutrients give the waters of Lake Erie a greenish hue. (Adobe Stock)

Industrial Ag Runoff Seen as Major Threat to Lake Erie

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Groups advocating for clean water say they're facing an uphill battle trying to prevent animal manure and other pollution from …

Bernadette Zambrano saves seeds for Sogorea Te' Land Trust, a group based in Oakland that works to return lands to indigenous peoples. (Ines Ixierda)

New "Faithlands" Toolkit Helps Religious Groups Put Land to Good Use

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Religious groups often own large properties but don't have the expertise to make them work for the community. Now, an online tool …

The price of farmland frequently exceeds what can be earned by farming. (Pixabay)

Ohio Farmers, Young and Old, Could Benefit from Proposed Tax Credit

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio lawmakers are considering a measure to help give the next crop of farmers a strong start in the business. The Wall Street …

Outdoor recreation is the second-biggest economic driver in Montana. (melissadoar/Adobe Stock)

Conservation Advocates: Water-Quality Bill Could Sink MT Waterways

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana lawmakers have passed a measure to change how water quality is measured in the state. Supporters said it will reduce red …

Connecticut, Maryland and Vermont all have banned the sale of neonicotinoids, bee-killing pesticide, according to Environment America. Florida has yet to do so, but the group hopes it also will take action in order to save the insect. (Adobe Stock)

On Earth Day, Environmentalists Push to Save Bees

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today is Earth Day, and environmental advocates are calling on citizens to do their part to save the bees. National …

Supporters of cover crops say they can help with a farmer's bottom line in the long run while protecting natural resources. (Adobe Stock)

Ag Group: WI Needs Incentive Program for Cover Crops

MADISON, Wis. -- As Wisconsin farmers fan out for the spring planting season, conservation-minded groups say the state should do more to convince …

People experiencing food insecurity in Colorado increased from 9% before the pandemic to nearly 40% by December 2020. (Partnership for Healthier America)

Lessons During COVID Spotlight Path Toward Greater Food Equity

DENVER -- After the coronavirus pandemic shut down restaurants and emptied grocery shelves, food experts said lessons learned while rebuilding …

Farming techniques such as no-till and cover-crop planting will be demonstrated on a farm in Twin Falls. (Brad Johnson/The Nature Conservancy)

Demo Farm Could Plant Regenerative Agriculture Seed in ID

TWIN FALLS, Idaho - The Nature Conservancy in Idaho is demonstrating regenerative farming practices in the hopes that they will spread throughout the …

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Rural/Farming