Thursday, January 27, 2022

PNS Daily Newscast - January 28, 2022
Play

The Indiana House passes a controversial bill barring schools from teaching about Critical Race Theory; and President Biden pledges to place a Black woman on the Supreme Court for the first time.

2022Talks - January 28, 2022
Play

Justice Stephen Breyer formally announces his retirement; the Dept. of Education will help students who fell behind during the pandemic; and AZ lawmakers consider a bill granting them control over elections.

The Yonder Report - January 27, 2022
Play

Free COVID tests by mail but some rural Americans need to go the extra mile; farmer storytellers join national campaign to battle corporate consolidation; specialty nurses want more authority; and rare bat gets credit for the mythic margarita.

Rural/Farming

99% of Ohio's roughly 80,000 farms are family-owned. (Jamie Smed/Flickr)
99% of Ohio's roughly 80,000 farms are family-owned. (Jamie Smed/Flickr)

Monday, January 24, 2022

Microgrants to Help Young Farmers Weather the Pandemic

Ohio is the sixth-largest state with beginning farmers, and new funding is available to help those just entering the business to survive the …

Farmworkers suffer from higher blood pressure compared with the general public, putting them at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes; yet many face challenges accessing health care. (Adobe Stock)<br />
Farmworkers suffer from higher blood pressure compared with the general public, putting them at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes; yet many face challenges accessing health care. (Adobe Stock)
Rural NC Farmworker Clinics Rely on APRNs

Volunteer Advanced Practice Registered Nurses serve North Carolina's most vulnerable communities, yet many say the state's supervising physician …

Farm safety experts say such factors as a wet harvest season can lead to more accidents in places like grain bins, as the product can clog up equipment, putting workers in dangerous positions. (Adobe Stock)
Farm safety experts say such factors as a wet harvest season can lead to more accidents in places like grain bins, as the product can clog up equipment, putting workers in dangerous positions. (Adobe Stock)
ND Brings Farmer Safety Back to the Forefront

2022 will see a renewed focus on farmer safety in North Dakota. A key position has been filled to focus on education designed to reduce accidents and …

At least four other states and several tribal nations have transitioned their hemp industries to federal management in recent years. (Adobe Stock)
At least four other states and several tribal nations have transitioned their hemp industries to federal management in recent years. (Adobe Stock)
New Federal Management Removes Barriers for WI Hemp Farmers

Wisconsin handed over management of its hemp industry to the federal government on Jan. 1, and farmers and researchers say the new system will reduce …

Half of the fresh water that flows into Chesapeake Bay comes from Pennsylvania. (Adobe Stock)
Half of the fresh water that flows into Chesapeake Bay comes from Pennsylvania. (Adobe Stock)
Report: PA Behind in Goals for Chesapeake Bay Pollution Reduction

With a fast-approaching deadline, Chesapeake Bay Foundation's assessment of multistate progress shows Pennsylvania remains far behind in meeting its …

The share of Appalachian households with a computer device is five percentage points below the national average, <a href=according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. (Adobe Stock)
">
The share of Appalachian households with a computer device is five percentage points below the national average, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. (Adobe Stock)
Device Ownership Critical to Improving Rural Broadband

The now-stalled Build Back Better Act means $475 million in grant money is also stalled - money that would go to communities for laptops, tablets and …

Kendrick Ransome has been farming in Pinetops, N.C., since 2018 on land his family has owned for generations.(Lee Everette)
Kendrick Ransome has been farming in Pinetops, N.C., since 2018 on land his family has owned for generations.(Lee Everette)
Efforts to Boost Local Food-Supply Chain in Upper Coastal Plain

A new online mapping project is helping connect local growers to regional markets in the state's Upper Coastal Plain. Planning and Development …

In some New Hampshire communities, slower-than-advertised broadband speeds are making working or learning from home more difficult. (Claudiu/Adobe Stock)
In some New Hampshire communities, slower-than-advertised broadband speeds are making working or learning from home more difficult. (Claudiu/Adobe Stock)
NH Officials: Rural Granite Staters Need More Reliable Broadband

Granite Staters say the funding for broadband in the bipartisan infrastructure package signed into law last month is critical for their communities…

After COVID shuttered large meat-packing operations, many Nebraskans were able to purchase locally produced meat processed at local lockers. (Adobe Stock)
After COVID shuttered large meat-packing operations, many Nebraskans were able to purchase locally produced meat processed at local lockers. (Adobe Stock)
Advocates Make Case for Expanding Main Street Meat Lockers

Advocates for independent rural farmers are urging state lawmakers to beef up mom-and-pop meat processing and storage capacity using American Rescue P…

Beef and veal prices are up 21% compared with last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (LuisFernando/Adobe Stock)
Beef and veal prices are up 21% compared with last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (LuisFernando/Adobe Stock)
MO Cattle Producers: More Competition Needed to Stay Profitable

Meat prices have been on the rise, but family-farm advocates say higher profits haven't been making their way to smaller cattle producers. Four …

More than 40 million people rely on the Colorado River, which is fed by melting mountain snowpack, for drinking water. (Adobe Stock)
More than 40 million people rely on the Colorado River, which is fed by melting mountain snowpack, for drinking water. (Adobe Stock)
Wyoming Could Face Multiple Years of Snowless Winters

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Wyoming and other western states are projected to see multiple years in a row without any snow as soon as 35 years out if efforts …

Those demanding beef market reform say there are not enough smaller processers for cattle ranchers to sell their product to, which reduces competition. (Adobe Stock)
Those demanding beef market reform say there are not enough smaller processers for cattle ranchers to sell their product to, which reduces competition. (Adobe Stock)
Family Farm Advocates: Don't Go Small on Market Reform

HOLABIRD, S.D. -- If you've been to the supermarket lately, chances are you have noticed meat prices are higher. Family-farm advocates say profits …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021