Tag Archives: Organic

Department of Agriculture

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Reaching the groundbreaking Paris Agreement was arguably the easy part. Implementation in the United States is going to require bureaucratic participation from more than just the EPA.

Listen to US Department of Agricukture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s comments on implementing climate change iniatives here.

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Enlist GMO Crop Rollout Still Faces Hurdles

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The USDA approved Enlist September 17, 2014.  Dow AgroScience’s new genetically-modified corn and soybean crop is resistant to the Enlist pesticide that kills all other weeds and growth in fields.  The president of Dow AgroSciences, Tim Hassinger, claims that Enlist will boost productivity for “safe and affordable food supply.”  According to Hassinger, Dow Agrobusiness has “used the latest science and technology to address problem weeds. Enlist will be a very effective solution and we’re pleased to have this technology one step closer to the farmgate.”

However, some hurdles still exist post-approval.  The founder of Center for Food Safety, Andrew Kimbrell, already plans to litigate in hopes of delaying the crops as they did with GMO sugar beets, canola, and alfalfa.

China has also begun to reject shipments of US corn based on concerns for GMO products and its lack of approval in China.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement can be found here.

Reuters

Forbes 

AgWeb

USDA Announces $19 Million in Grants to New Farmers

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USDA Announces $19 Million in Grants to New Farmers

Earlier this month, the USDA announced $19 million in grants for young farmers. The grants, managed by the National Institutes of Food and Agriculture, are aimed at those trying to break into farming and those who have been at it for fewer than 10 years.

The grants will help train producers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), the USDA said in a statement in mid-April. Those competitive grants help beginning ranchers, farmers and foresters through the extension of training and technical assistance.

Legislation Roundup – Alaska

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What sort of agricultural laws is your state considering to pass?  Legislation Roundup highlights the laws that each state’s legislative branch is considering in session.  Never forget the importance of public political participation.  If you live in any of these states and support or oppose any state legislation, never hesitate to contact your assembly(wo)man/representative/senator and voice your opinion!  We pay their salaries in taxes.

  • HB215 – Would require all genetically engineered food products to have a label indicating it was “produced with genetic engineering” or “partially produced with genetic engineering.” Unpackaged food, such as produce, would have to have a label visible on the shelf or bin they are being sold in. This bill would bar any product from being labelled as “natural,” “naturally grown,” or “all natural” if it contains or was processed with genetically engineered food products.
  • HB224 – Prohibits the application of any neonicotinoid pesticide to any seed, foliage, or granular form to soil unless it is applied entirely within a greenhouse.
  • HB249 – Would prohibit the use of genetically engineered seeds and plants for agricultural product production.
  • HB248 – Establishes May 15 as ‘Think Local Day’ to raise awareness of use of local businesses, food, and products.

Legislation Roundup – Alabama

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What sort of agricultural laws is your state considering to pass?  Legislation Roundup highlights the laws that each state’s legislative branch is considering in session.  Never forget the importance of public political participation.  If you live in any of these states and support or oppose any state legislation, never hesitate to contact your assembly(wo)man/representative/senator and voice your opinion!  We pay their salaries in taxes.

Alabama

  • HB98 – Would change the state insect to queen honey bee.
  • SB362 – Creates the Alabama Poultry Revolving Loan Fund; would allocate state bonds to finance farms that want to transition from using propane-fueled heating sources to using wood-fueled heating sources.
  • SB335 – Will require that all catfish and catfish products be labeled if they were imported from any country other than the US.  The labels must clearly indicate country of origin.  Restaurants will also have to list country of origin for imported catfish on their menus.
  • SB69 – Exempts retail sales of agriculture machinery from state taxes but not local sales tax.
  • HB5 – Repeals Section 3-1-20 of Alabama’s criminal code.  Currently, it is illegal to sell or buy domestic animals/fowl [livestock] between sunset and sunrise.  HB5 would repeal that law and make it legal.