business economy food access food systems“A sizable portion of the country falls within the realm of a food desert and with 10% of the U.S. population experiencing some degree of food insecurity, the market is there,” said Billy Roberts, senior food and beverage economist for CoBank. “Innovation in the areas of driverless and drone delivery could ultimately provide food and beverage companies even more opportunities to establish direct relationships with underserved rural consumers.” (Photo: Getty Images, Unsplash)DENVER — Food insecurity remains prevalent in the U.S. with...…business economy food access food systems“A sizable portion of the country falls within the realm of a food desert and with 10% of the U.S. population experiencing some degree of food insecurity, the market is there,” said Billy Roberts, senior food and beverage economist for CoBank. “Innovation in the areas of driverless and drone delivery could ultimately provide food and beverage companies even more opportunities to establish direct relationships with underserved rural consumers.” (Photo: Getty Images, Unsplash)DENVER — Food insecurity remains prevalent in the U.S. with...WW…

international water issuesIrrigated agriculture accounts for 70 percent of global water withdrawals, so making every drop count is increasingly imperative. (Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash)ROME — One of the most innovative tools in water management and governance is going global.WaPOR, as it is widely known, is expanding its geospatially driven coverage to the whole world, following six years of successful use in Africa and the Near East. The new and improved version was launched today at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at the 2nd Rome Water...…international water issuesIrrigated agriculture accounts for 70 percent of global water withdrawals, so making every drop count is increasingly imperative. (Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash)ROME — One of the most innovative tools in water management and governance is going global.WaPOR, as it is widely known, is expanding its geospatially driven coverage to the whole world, following six years of successful use in Africa and the Near East. The new and improved version was launched today at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at the 2nd Rome Water...WW…

food safety funding and grants organic specialty cropsFood safety is of paramount importance for every organic grower, but organic produce and specialty crop growers can face unique challenges. (Photo: laura adai, Unsplash)WASHINGTON — The University of Rhode Island and The Organic Center are pleased to announce a new collaboration on an important new organic food safety research project, enabled by a $3.5 million grant recently awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) research program.Food safety is of paramount...…food safety funding and grants organic specialty cropsFood safety is of paramount importance for every organic grower, but organic produce and specialty crop growers can face unique challenges. (Photo: laura adai, Unsplash)WASHINGTON — The University of Rhode Island and The Organic Center are pleased to announce a new collaboration on an important new organic food safety research project, enabled by a $3.5 million grant recently awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) research program.Food safety is of paramount...WW…

cattleThe current pilot supports market transparency by providing the cattle and beef sectors information about contract terms offered by packers to producers for the purchase of cattle. (Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash)WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue the Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program in its present form in order to continue reporting vital market information for farmers and ranchers while gathering additional information on the effectiveness of the pilot.The current pilot supports market transparency by providing the cattle and beef...…cattleThe current pilot supports market transparency by providing the cattle and beef sectors information about contract terms offered by packers to producers for the purchase of cattle. (Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash)WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue the Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program in its present form in order to continue reporting vital market information for farmers and ranchers while gathering additional information on the effectiveness of the pilot.The current pilot supports market transparency by providing the cattle and beef...WW…

conservation policy research water issues weatherThe survey data and report, released by Western Landowners Alliance and the University of Wyoming, suggest that while the vast majority of agricultural water users in the basin are concerned about water shortages and have already adopted some water conservation measures, recent state and federal efforts to fund conservation in the Basin need to be better targeted to be effective. (Courtesy Image)DENVER – An in-depth survey of more than 1,000 farmers and ranchers in the Colorado River Basin has some startling implications for how water...…conservation policy research water issues weatherThe survey data and report, released by Western Landowners Alliance and the University of Wyoming, suggest that while the vast majority of agricultural water users in the basin are concerned about water shortages and have already adopted some water conservation measures, recent state and federal efforts to fund conservation in the Basin need to be better targeted to be effective. (Courtesy Image)DENVER – An in-depth survey of more than 1,000 farmers and ranchers in the Colorado River Basin has some startling implications for how water...WW…