AgClips
Recent AgClips
As americans spread out, immigration plays a crucial role in local population growth
Brookings | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Rural NewsNew Census Bureau population estimates for counties and metropolitan areasconfirm that after concentrating in big cities and major metro areas during the first part of this decade, Americans are spreading out again into suburbs, exurbs, and smaller towns and rural areas.The new numbers, which track annual population trends through July 2018, indicate that for the first time this decade, the nation’s three largest metropolitan areas—New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago—all lost population.
ACLU of Iowa says state's new ag-gag law violates free speech protections
Des Moines Register | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsIowa's second attempt to make it a crime for animal welfare activists, journalists and others to go undercover at meatpacking plants and livestock facilities will face a legal challenge.
Buffalo is launching a food waste composting program to limit waste in landfills
WKBW | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Food, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates we throw away 30 to 40 percent of our food. That's about $161 billion worth of food that ends up in landfills every year.
Nashville wants to sell its downtown energy system to a private buyer for $60M
The Tennessean | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Energy NewsNashville wants to sell its energy system that heats and cools more than 40 buildings downtown — including the Tennessee state Capitol — for $60 million. Metro's District Energy System uses electricity and natural gas to produce steam and chilled water that is distributed through 91,100 feet of underground pipes to its downtown customers.But city officials say its no longer financially viable for Nashville and are in final negotiations with Engie Development, LLC to sell the system.
Renewable Energy Job Boom Creates Economic Opportunity As Coal Industry Slumps
Forbes | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Energy NewsCalifornia Hemp Bill Clears Committee On Agriculture
Hometown Station | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsSenate Bill 153 (SB 153) seeks to bring California’s hemp industry regulations in line with federal requirements, according to officials. “I am very pleased to see SB 153 moving with bipartisan support,” Wilk said. “Industrial hemp is a natural fit for California’s arid climate.
Minnesota farmers pitch ways to offer small dairies relief
Journal Star | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Agriculture NewsMinnesota farmers are considering ways to prevent the closure of small dairies during a sustained slump in milk prices.Roughly 80 farmers recently gathered in Greenwald to voice concerns about the loss of small dairies, which face higher milk production costs than mega-dairies, the Star Tribune reported.Minnesota has seen more than 1,100 dairy farmers leave the industry in the past six years.
On Earth Day, Cuomo signs plastic bag ban into law
Albany Times Union | Posted onApril 24, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsGov. Andrew M. Cuomo marked Earth Day on Monday by signing into law a measure banning most single-use plastic bags, making New York the third state in the nation to enact a statewide bag policy. The ban, which goes into effect in March 2020, prohibits retailers that collect sales tax, including supermarkets and small businesses, from handing out disposable plastic bags, with a few exceptions.
For many down on the farm, the wolf is at the door
Ag Policy | Posted onApril 24, 2019 in Agriculture NewsWe hate to sound like the little boy who cried wolf, but for US farmers there really is a wolf out there and that wolf is called low prices. While the pain is not evenly spread across the nation and across farm types, for those involved it is serious.
The Yin and Yang of Agricultural Trade
Iowa State | Posted onApril 24, 2019 in Agriculture NewsIt’s a fascinating, but uncertain, time in the agricultural markets. Global and US supplies of agricultural products are at or near record levels. At the same time, global demand for agricultural products continues to grow, pressured by both population and income growth. Markets work to distribute the products across the globe, and government policies can definitely shape that distribution. Myriad new trade agreements, trade disputes, and tariffs introduced over the last 15 months are reshaping global agricultural trade flows.