Farm Industry News

02/10/2012 - Veteran-to-Farm Program to Provide Ag Training
California’s new Ag Warriors program has partnered with four California colleges to equip veterans with the skills they need to pursue agricultural careers.

02/07/2012 - Biochars Boost Soil Moisture
A study of nine different biochars found various effects on water availability in silt-loam and sandy soils.

02/03/2012 - Corn, Soybean Insecticides Found in Dead Bees
A study at Purdue University found traces of neonicotinoid insecticides, used to protect corn and soybean plants, in dead Indiana Honey bees.

01/31/2012 - USDA Adds 2 Hardiness Zones
In the first zone additions since 1990, the USDA plant hardiness zone map provides more detail and accuracy thanks to advances in recordkeeping strategies.

01/27/2012 - Herbicide-tolerant Corn Subject of Regulation Debate
Dow wants regulations lifted for its herbicide-tolerant corn, but sustainable-ag organizations say the product threatens agricultural traditions and personal and environmental health.

01/24/2012 - Report Exposes Cleaning Products’ “Dirty Secrets”
Lab tests revealed 20 cleaning products contained ingredients not listed on the label.

01/20/2012 - Interaction Lacking Between Vets, Organic Producers
Surveys of veterinarians and organic livestock producers performed at Iowa State University show that veterinarians need to be more involved in organic herd health.

01/17/2012 - Grant Jumpstarts Largest Heritage-hog Conservation Effort
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy uses a $150,000 grant to support heritage-hog producers and encourage conservation.

01/13/2012 - Vilsack Announces USDA Cuts, Closures
A new cost-cutting plan calls for the closure of more than 250 offices and the streamlining of in-house practices.

01/10/2012 - CO2 Could Increase Tomato Growth
Scientists at Fresno State who are investigating the use of carbon-dioxide enrichment on open-field crops enter their second year of research.

01/06/2012 - New Farmers Get Hands-on Business Training
The first-year participants of the Beginning Farmer Institute unite for a second round of practical farm-business instruction.

01/03/2012 - Conservation Stewardship Deadline 2 Weeks Away
Producers can receive stewardship incentives for this fiscal year by submitting an application to the Conservation Stewardship Program by Jan. 13.

12/30/2011 - Hobby Farms’ Resolutions for 2012
The Hobby Farms editorial team is starting fresh in the new year with goals for their gardens, kitchens and more.

12/27/2011 - Institute Offers Certificate in Sustainable-ag Systems
At the first school to offer an MBA in sustainable business, students can specialize in three new sustainability sectors, including Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems.

12/23/2011 - Farmers Donate 100,000th Christmas Tree to Troops
In its sixth year, the Trees for Troops nonprofit program helped Christmas-tree farmers donate a record number of trees to service members around the world.

12/20/2011 - 2011 Farm Policy Round-up
As the year draws to a close, take a look at some of the policies that will influence small-scale ag in 2012 and beyond.