One of the most popular majors in college these days is apparently Agriculture.Colleges that have strong programs are all seeing increases in students entering those programs. At Penn State, for example, student enrollment in the Agriculture department is up 40%. Iowa State University shows a 95% … [Read more...]
National Farmers Market Week
This week is the official week dedicated for Farmers Markets. The USDA is reporting that there is an increase in the number of markets again this year (and has been for the last 18 years). "After 18 years of steady increases, the number of farmers markets across the country now registered with … [Read more...]
UPDATE: House Passes Bill Prohibiting Labor Rules on Minors
Remember back when the Department of Labor was trying to pass those rules that would prohibit children from working on family farms? (Check out the post here if you don't.) DOL pulled the regulations after a firestorm of complaints about the new rules from the agricultural community.Now, the House … [Read more...]
Senate Considers Egg Laying Standards
It didn't quite make the farm bill, but the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee is debating requirements for housing conditions of egg laying hens. The legislation would require an increase in space for hens and labeling so consumers know in which conditions the hens were kept. The … [Read more...]
California Attempts to Label GMOs
Watch the latest video at <a href="http://video.foxnews.com">video.foxnews.com</a> Scare tactics. This is just another attack on conventional farming by niche farms and … [Read more...]
The Danger of Dirt (And Nature)
The beautiful thing about this time of the year is undoubtedly the fresh produce available, especially from farmer's markets and roadside stands. What could be better than buying local, fresh produce right from the farmer that grew it? Of course, that makes people at the FDA and other government … [Read more...]
New Food Safety Regulations Delayed
At the beginning of 2011, the Obama administration signed into law the Food Safety and Modernization Act. If you're unaware, the goal of the legislation was to "modernize" the food industry and place new regulations on every aspect of the production chain. However, apparently the Obama … [Read more...]
Farm Bill Lobbying
I haven't previously posted anything regarding the 2012 Farm Bill (the Senate passed a version and the House is currently working on it), because the final bill is obviously in flux. However, I did find a report about the lobbying related to the legislation.Food & Water Watch, a group dedicated … [Read more...]
America’s Favorite Farmers Market
American Farmland Trust's annual contest to determine America's favorite farmers market is now open for voting! There will be a button on the side of the blog until the end of the contest. Remember: vote early and often!(Note: The contest is only open to markets that feature multiple farms, not … [Read more...]
“I’m Farming and I Grow It”
Too funny not to share! … [Read more...]
