AgClips
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Mental Health Trails Metal Detectors in School Safety Dollars
Pew Trust | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Rural NewsAfter a gunman shot and killed 10 people at Santa Fe High School last year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to make the state’s public schools safe for students and teachers. “We need to do more than just pray for the victims and their families,” he said at a news conference following the May 18 shooting. “It’s time in Texas that we take action to step up and make sure this tragedy is never repeated ever again in the history of the state of Texas.” In August, Abbott issued a school safety action plan.
Trump proposes slashing EPA budget by 31 percent
The Hill | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Energy NewsPresident Trump proposed significant budget cuts to the government agencies responsible for overseeing the nation’s energy and environmental policies, including a 31 percent reduction in spending at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Happy National AG Day
National Ag Day | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Agriculture NewsWhat Is Ag Day? It's a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.When Is Ag Day?Ag Day is celebrated on March 14, 2019. National Ag Day falls during National Ag Week, March 10-16, 2019.Who Hosts Ag Day?The Agriculture Council of America hosts the campaign on a national level.
The fog of trade wars
Progressive Farmer | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Agriculture, Federal NewsAmid this trade-war fog, one thing seems clear: The Chinese are happy to talk about importing more American agricultural products -- maybe a lot more. That is not the case in another of America's unfolding trade wars. In the talks between the U.S. and the European Union, the EU is refusing to even discuss agriculture. Why? Because the EU knows what the U.S. would demand: relaxation of the EU's non-tariff barriers to American products, starting with genetically engineered crops. Previous EU-U.S.
Canada says improving internet and cellphone service in rural areas is a priority
CKRM | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe federal government says improving internet and cellphone service in rural areas is a priority. The Minister of Rural Economic Development, Bernadette Jordan spoke Tuesday at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in Saskatoon. “It’s a huge issue, it’s an expense if one. there’s no question. But we recognize that internet now is like highways as well because you have to have it in order to grow.”Jordan says the government is in the process of developing a preliminary plan, which should be ready by June.
Representative Wills:He wants to keep fighting for Iowa’s smallest towns
Northwest Iowa | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsI believe we are facing a critical juncture in our state. Are we going to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the shrinking populations of rural Iowa or are we going to finally put forth serious efforts toward tackling the issue head on? I have been working on a piece of legislation that identifies communities in rural Iowa that don’t need a handout but instead need to be treated fairly.
EPA Publishes Year-Round E15 Rule
Ag Web | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Energy NewsThe Trump administration on Tuesday advanced a plan meant to expand the U.S. market for corn-based ethanol and place trading restrictions on credits that refiners use to prove they are using biofuel. The Environmental Protection Agency proposal is a first step in fulfilling President Donald Trump’s promise to unleash sales of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol and deliver at least a symbolic victory to corn farmers in the Midwest who have been battered by his trade fight with China. Air pollution requirements currently block sales of that E15 gasoline from June 1 to Sept.
Perdue's list of possible relocation sites include private companies and private citizen
USDA | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Federal NewsU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the initial down-select list of 136 Expressions of Interest received from parties in 35 statesvying to become the new homes of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). USDA is following a rigorous site selection process to identify the new locations with involvement from USDA, ERS, and NIFA leadership.
Trump Administration’s USDA Relocation “Contest” Makes Mockery of Agricultural Research
Union of Concerned Scientists | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Agriculture NewsThe White House announced that it is considering 67 locations as semifinalists in its search for a new home for two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research agencies, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Service (ERS). One proposed location that evidently meets USDA’s rigorous criteria to house these world-class agencies was recommended by a “private citizen” in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. Academic, economic and governmental institutions made only a handful of bids.
New Mexico joins California, Hawaii in approving 100% clean energy mandate
Utility Dive | Posted onMarch 14, 2019 in Energy NewsThe New Mexico State House on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 489 44-22, requiring the state to generate 100% of its electricity from carbon-free resources by 2045. The Energy Transition Act, introduced in February and approved by the State Senate last week, also increases the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, echoing Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's campaign promises. It also includes securitization provisions to help recover the costs of coal plant retirements and allocates funds toward transitioning mining communities.