Timothy Pigford sued the United states Department of Agriculture in 1997 because he believed black producers were being denied loans. Pigford's case resulted in the largest civil rights settlement in the history of the United States. Yet, many black producers who joined the settlement have only rece
Congress and The President approved a nearly $1 trillion Farm Bill last week, effectively ending an uncertain period for the agriculture industry. While many farmers and ranchers are thankful that a bill has finally been passed, some believe the elimination of the direct payment subsidy program coul
This roundup provides seven articles that can help you better understand the Farm Bill. Additionally, it also contains a gallery of central Illinois farmers that share their thoughts and opinions of the new Farm Bill.
Supporters of increased privacy protection on agriculture sites pushed hard for "ag-gag" legislation in 2013, and this year appears to be no different. Policymakers in both Indiana and New Hampshire have already proposed forms of ag-gag legislation, or farm protection bills, that seek to prevent pho
Support from Iowa lawmakers for stricter farm safety regulation does not exist in their new legislative session. This is despite agriculture being Iowa’s deadliest occupation and limited Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforcement and coverage.
Federal food-safety agencies announced half a dozen recalls at the end of December, including recalls for chicken contaminated with potentially dangerous bacteria and for chocolate-Santa candy with undeclared allergens. The recalls come only a couple weeks after a Colorado company recalled more than
Among early-December recalls, food-safety officials announced that more than four tons of meat and poultry products would be recalled because they were produced in “insanitary conditions.” Other recalls were for undeclared allergens in chicken noodle soup, dried dates and chocolate-covered nuts.
While Congress continues to discuss a new Farm Bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted a webinar on the department’s BioPreferred program and on the emerging market for bio-based products.
In 2011, Eric Herm's cantaloupes exploded. A fourth-generation cotton farmer in West Texas, Herm was experimenting with a home garden to help feed his family during the onset of a drought in the area. Blistering heat, including 100 degree days as early as May, was wilting Herm's cotton—and in the en
In recent years, farmers have increasingly chosen to insure both the yield of their crop and the revenue of their crop. By choosing a revenue-based insurance option -- such as the revenue protection policy -- farmers can insulate their crop against steep drops in prices.
Costco wholesale stores have joined grocery chain Kroger Co. in recalling Foster Farms’ chicken products from its shelves. The recall involves nearly 40,000 pounds of chicken sold on the west coast that has been linked to a 20-state outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg contamination. So far, the outbre
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, dozens of U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies were closed or limited because of the federal government shutdown. However, agriculture officials said farmers won't be affected by the shutdown just yet.
