AgClips
Recent AgClips
From boardroom to barnyard: Why most American farmers farm part-time
Farm and Dairy | Posted onMarch 27, 2017 in Rural NewsAmerica is a nation of part-time farmers. According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, over 52 percent of farmers have a primary occupation other than farming. Sixty-one percent worked some days off the farm. Part-time farming doesn’t mean farming fewer than 40 hours a week. It means putting in long, hard hours of farm labor around 9-to-5 jobs. For many of us, it means getting up extra early to do chores before work, and heading back to the barn after a day at the office. Part-time farming is challenging but offers big benefits, especially for young farmers beginning a farm business.
Genetically-modified crops have benefits - Princess Anne
BBC | Posted onMarch 25, 2017 in Agriculture NewsPrincess Anne has said genetically-modified crops have important benefits for providing food and she would be open to growing them on her own land. Her brother, the Prince of Wales, has previously warned GM crops could cause an environmental disaster.But Princess Anne said: "To say we mustn't go there 'just in case' is probably not a practical argument." In an interview with the rural affairs programme to be broadcast on Thursday, the 66-year-old Princess Royal said she saw no problem with modifying crops if it improved their ability to grow.
Court upholds $1.5 million judgment in Oregon dairy lawsuit
Capital Press | Posted onMarch 25, 2017 in Agriculture NewsThe Oregon Court of Appeals has upheld a $1.5 million judgment against Land O’Lakes Purina Feed for selling defective feed to an Oregon dairy.
Forever Wild program generates solid economic return to Alabama
Alabama News Center | Posted onMarch 25, 2017 in Rural NewsThe Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust is a powerful economic engine that provides numerous fiscal benefits to communities throughout the state, a recently released analysis shows. The Trust for Public Land, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, Conservation Alabama Foundation, Birmingham Audubon and The Conservation Fund, conducted an analysis of the return on investment in land conservation through the Forever Wild Land Trust.
Perdue seeks to reassure Congress as Trump eyes budget cuts
Capital Press | Posted onMarch 25, 2017 in Federal NewsThe nominee for agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue, on Thursday sought to reassure farm-state senators fearful about the impact of President Donald Trump’s proposed deep cuts to farm programs, promising to work with Democrats to create jobs in the struggling industry. At his confirmation hearing, the former Georgia governor stressed bipartisanship, reaching out to Democrats who have complained about Trump’s lack of experience in agriculture and his proposed 21 percent cut to the farm budget. Michigan Sen.
Irrigators criticize $100 water rights fee proposal
Capital Press | Posted onMarch 25, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsA proposed $100 annual fee on all Oregon water rights has met with criticism from irrigators who say it would contribute to already mounting financial burdens.
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Over $105,000 for Seafood Marketing Projects
Massachusetts Governor | Posted onMarch 25, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe Baker-Polito Administration announced $105,500 in grants to seven marketing campaigns designed to increase awareness and demand for Massachusetts seafood products. The grants were awarded through the Division of Marine Fisheries’ (DMF) Seafood Marketing Pilot Grant Program, a new program created to support the Commonwealth’s fishing and seafood industries.
Don’t want a chicken farm near your house?
The State | Posted onMarch 25, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsFarm Bureau president Harry Ott said poultry growers want to follow state environmental rules, but are concerned about “frivolous’’ appeals of permits they need to operate. H 3929, supported by the S.C. Farm Bureau, says neighbors wanting to stop a chicken or turkey farm must pay $5,000 for the right to file an environmental appeal. Current fees to appeal range from $100 to $500, said environmental lawyers who handle poultry farm cases.
Bill would authorize GMO trespass lawsuits against patent holders
Capital Press | Posted onMarch 23, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsNew lawsuits over trespass by genetically engineered crops would be authorized in Oregon under proposed legislation that would hold biotech patent holders liable for damages. Supporters of House Bill 2739 say it’s a common sense strategy to remedy problems caused by genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, similar to consumer lawsuits over defective products.“This is not a wild legal grab. We will not be compensated for our angst.
Six charts that illustrate the divide between rural and urban Americ
The Conversation | Posted onMarch 23, 2017 in Rural NewsWe’ve all heard of the great divide between life in rural and urban America. But what are the factors that contribute to these differences? We asked sociologists, economists, geographers and historians to describe the divide from different angles. The data paint a richer and sometimes surprising picture of the U.S. today. 1. Poverty is higher in rural areas 2. Most new jobs aren’t in rural areas 3. Disabilities are more common in rural areas 4. Rural areas are surprisingly entrepreneurial