AgClips
Recent AgClips
Farmers are playing the long game with Trump, even as woes build up
Bloomberg | Posted onJanuary 15, 2019 in Federal NewsDonald Trump’s policies might be causing hiccups in the agriculture world, but the man himself is still enjoying the affections of his farming base. Speaking before the American Farm Bureau in New Orleans Monday, Trump drew applause and cheers as he lobbied for a border wall, while telling the audience that he’ll make it “easier” for migrants to work on farms. He also touted his administration’s approval of year-round sales of gasoline with higher ethanol content and said he’s making deals and regulatory changes that will benefit agriculture.
U.S., EU set conflicting goals for looming trade talks
Wall Street Journal | Posted onJanuary 15, 2019 in NewsThe U.S. and European Union are staking out sharply different goals for coming trade negotiations, raising the prospect for renewed trans-Atlantic commercial tensions.The EU’s executive body will meet Tuesday to firm up the bloc’s parameters for talks expected to launch later this year.
Trump's tone-deaf appeal to farmers hurting from trade war: 'Greatest harvest is yet to come'
The Hill | Posted onJanuary 15, 2019 in Federal NewsPresident Trump today appealed to America’s family farmers and ranchers, promising great things to come for the men and women who provide food, fuel and fiber for our nation. “The greatest harvest is yet to come,” he said. Yet, the sentiment could not have come off more tone deaf from a man who’s trade tactics have depressed an already troubled farm economy, pushing many family farmers into significant financial stress and even more out of business. “Before I got here, it was heading south,” Trump said, referring to America’s ability to export agricultural products.
Americans more likely to die of opioid overdose than in car crash
Fox News | Posted onJanuary 15, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsFor the first time in American history, one of the leading causes of deaths - vehicle crash - has been supplanted by opioid overdoses. Data, collected in 2017, shows Americans have a 1 in 96 chance of dying from an opioid overdose. The probability of dying in a motor vehicle crash is 1 in 103. Opioid pain relievers are the most fatally abused drugs and they're entirely legal. Roughly 60 people die every day as a result of overdoses from opioids - that's 22,630 Americans.
Antarctica losing six times more ice mass annually now than 40 years ago
Science Daily | Posted onJanuary 15, 2019 in Rural NewsAntarctica experienced a sixfold increase in yearly ice mass loss between 1979 and 2017, according to a new study. Glaciologists additionally found that the accelerated melting caused global sea levels to rise more than half an inch during that time.
How a Local Bookstore Can Make Your Town Richer—In More Than One Way
Strong Towns | Posted onJanuary 14, 2019 in Rural NewsRecently, Commonwealth Magazine ran an article speculating on the economic role that independent bookstores play in our downtowns, particularly in small and mid-sized city neighborhoods.
Suburbs fuel Nebraska's job growth
Kansas City Federal Reserve | Posted onJanuary 14, 2019 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsEmployment in Nebraska remained solid through 2018, benefiting from strong gains in recent years by residents of the state’s suburban areas. Employment in Nebraska in recent years has increased most notably among residents of west Omaha and Sarpy County with rural parts of the state still struggling to add jobs. Overall, Nebraska’s unemployment rate has remained one of the lowest in the country and job prospects throughout the state are strong heading into 2019.
State Laws Slow Down High-Speed Internet for Rural America
Pew Trust | Posted onJanuary 14, 2019 in Rural NewsElectric cooperatives want to help bridge the digital divide between rural and urban America as more federal funding becomes available for rural broadband. But a 77-year-old law may prevent one of the nation’s poorest states from fully tapping into millions of new federal dollars to expand high-speed internet service to needy rural communities.Mississippi is among the states that rely most heavily on rural electric cooperatives, nonprofits that deliver power to their members in rural areas.
Ron DeSantis unveils sweeping environmental plan to fix Florida’s water woes
Tampa Bay Times | Posted onJanuary 14, 2019 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsTwo days after he took office, Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled sweeping measures to clean up Florida's troubled waters Thursday, including spending $2.5 billion and launching more aggressive policies to address algae choking Lake Okeechobee and polluting the state's coasts. The newly minted governor, who angered environmentalists on the campaign trail by dismissing climate change as a significant threat, also promised to establish a resiliency office to address looming dangers.
N.H. Agriculture Proposes 'New Hampshire's Own' Dairy Label
New Hampshire Public Radio | Posted onJanuary 14, 2019 in Agriculture, Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food wants to create a new label for New Hampshire milk to help keep local dairies afloat. Agriculture Commissioner Shawn Jasper is working with Gov. Chris Sununu and lawmakers on a House bill to create the program, called the Dairy Premium Fund.Gallons with the “New Hampshire’s Own” sticker would carry milk from New Hampshire farms, and would cost an extra 50 cents for customers.