Growers cheery as winter farmers' markets swell Dec 30, 2008
"It benefits both the consumer and the producer," said Joan Shaffer, a USDA spokeswoman for farmers' markets. Consumers like to meet the producers and get fresh food and farmers get another outlet for their products, she said. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Obama Picks Vilsack for New Ag Secretary Dec 30, 2008
Vilsack has acknowledged the challenge of leading USDA in these rough economic times, noting, It must be innovative and creative in all its work during a time of economic anxiety and limited resources. Iowa is home to the chairman of the Senate Ag Committee, Democratic Senator Tom Harkin, who s hopeful Vilsack will shift money from subsidies for large corporate farms toward conservation. (Agri-View, WI)
Second Harvest Heartland, Feeding America, General Mills, and 'The Biggest Loser' Team to Help Community Lose Weight and Raise Funds to Feed the Hungry Dec 30, 2008
In fact, according to the USDA, more than 36 million Americans live in "food insecure households" -- meaning that they do not always know where they will find their next meal. One in 10 Minnesotans struggles to put on their tables. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Meet Ohios only Jewish cattle farmer Dec 27, 2008
At 200 acres, it is also considerably more modest than the 337-acre average of Ohio s 75,000 farms, according to 2007 reports from the USDA s National Agricultural Statistics Service. We don t need more than that, Sigel says of the acreage. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
14 hurt when car crashes into Hanukkah party Dec 26, 2008
26: With the USDA reporting an estimated 700,000 children not having enough food to eat, WALB's Joe Courson profiles a church group who have made it their duty to handout sandwiches to hungry kids every weekend. . (MSNBC -- Crime)
U.S. Food Security: College program focuses on safety Dec 26, 2008
Warner: Students would be trained to enter any of the following fields/organizations: production agriculture, agribusiness, food science, veterinary science, law enforcement, criminal investigation, government service including USDA, AMS, FSIS, and APHIS, and as mentioned previously, the emerging field of food/agriculture defense specialists. MP: Are the courses designed for the producer to take back and use on his or her farm or ranch. (Midwest Bulls Eye, NE)
Pang Yiu Kai Dec 26, 2008
USDA inspectors conduct many meat safety tests in processing facilities. We just want to be sure that 100 percent of our animals are healthy, so this test is just a way to ensure that, McClanahan said. (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
Steven Milloy: New York's Soda Tax Scam Dec 25, 2008
If common sense is not enough to answer that question, then consider the food recommendations made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In its dietary guidelines for Americans a.k.a. the the USDA recommends the servings that should be consumed daily from different food groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, milk and oils ... The USDA makes these recommendations for different levels of individual daily calorie consumption, starting at a 1,000-calorie-per-day diet and going... (Fox News)
FDA objects to Diet Coke Plus nutritional claims Dec 25, 2008
The forecast for inflation, estimated at as high as 6% this year, is falling as commodity prices drop, the USDA said in a monthly report ... Prices for dairy products, which rose as much as 9% this year, may fall as much as 4% next year, the USDA said. (Los Angeles Times)
Good nutrition is always in season Dec 25, 2008
D., a scientist in the Nutritional Immunology Laboratory, the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, and assistant professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition and Science Policy at Tufts University. Because a nutritional intervention may have different effects on people of different ages or nutrition status as noted in scientific studies, Wu says, it's difficult to make broad recommendations based on study findings. (CNN)
Council on Aging assistance Dec 23, 2008
Mon Dec 22, 2008, 07:12 AM EST. The fuel assistance season for new clients began Nov. 1. (Burlington Union, MA)
Marin organic dairies fight proposed federal grazing rules Dec 22, 2008
New regulations proposed by USDA threaten the existence of local organic dairies ... Tragically, the USDA's one-size-fits-all solution ignores significant regional variations in climate, rainfall, availability of water and other factors that directly affect a dairy farmer's ability to care for the soil, water and the well-being of the animals ... The USDA also calls for "sacrificial pastures" - forcing cows onto wet, unsafe pastures during the rainy winter season where manure can contaminate... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Arkansas' official insect suffers losses Dec 22, 2008
Pine Bluff Commercial Online Edition. By PEGGY HARRIS Monday, December 22, 2008 1:45 AM CST. (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Winners announced in first '08/'09 Steer-A-Year contest (8) Dec 21, 2008
The Grid Score balances high percentages of Premium Products, Yield Grade 1s and 2s and USDA Choice-Grade cattle with minimal percentages of Yield Grade 4s. If you would like to know more about the GridMaster or Feeder Calf Certifica-tion Programs, contact Mikalena Ran-dazzo or Clint Berry at the RAAA national office at (940) 387-3502. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
U.S. School Meals May Be Key to Better Child Health Dec 20, 2008
Tom Vilsack, who was nominated for Secretary of Agriculture by President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday, said the USDA "must place nutrition at the center of all food assistance programs administered by the department." ... Officials at the USDA are updating the nutrition and meal requirements used for school breakfast and lunch programs, and looked for recommendations from the Institute of Medicine. (MEDLINEplus)
White House Announces 2007 Awards for Early Career Scientists and Engineers Dec 20, 2008
Valerie T. Eviner, University of California, Davis - USDA, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Wendell R. Haag, USDA, Forest Service ... Zhongli Pan, USDA, Agricultural Research Service. (White House News Releases)
Allee mansion, SLADC seek BV County funding help Dec 19, 2008
Lalone said they also obtained a USDA loan to help expand the Revolving Loan Fund by $400,000. He says there is now $150,000 available for industrial expansion and $500,000 for retail, commercial and/or infrastructure investment. (Storm Lake Pilot Tribune, IA)
From Politico Dec 19, 2008
" The Vilsacks subsidies hardly represent the kind of big-dollar payments to millionaire famers and corporations that Obama has targeted, but they do give Vilsack personal insight into a debate that has long hung over farm policy. Late last year, Obama traveled to Vilsack s home state at $250,000 per farmer per year. And after his election, Obama as a top target for his budget-cutting, citing a report showing $49 million in payments to farmers earning more than $2.5 million a year between 2003... (Harper's Magazine)
The Brown Bag is Back Dec 18, 2008
Harvest Selections are wholesome microwaveable meal bowls that are packed with two full servings of vegetables per meal, meeting 40 percent of the USDA MyPyramid recommendations. Because they do not need to be refrigerated, the shelf-stable meals are perfect for stashing in your desk drawer or tote bag. (Pekin Times, IL)
U.S. Food Security: College program focuses on safety Dec 18, 2008
Warner: Students would be trained to enter any of the following fields/organizations: production agriculture, agribusiness, food science, veterinary science, law enforcement, criminal investigation, government service including USDA, AMS, FSIS, and APHIS, and as mentioned previously, the emerging field of food/agriculture defense specialists. MP: Are the courses designed for the producer to take back and use on his or her farm or ranch. (Midwest Bulls Eye, NE)
N.D. won't lift import restrictions on Minn. cattle Dec 18, 2008
"I think the boundaries are adequate to contain the disease."The boundaries will not be extended at this point - there is no reason in our minds or in the minds of USDA to expand the boundaries," he said.Keller and Johnson said North Dakota should not make testing requirements too onerous on other states.Johnson called it the Golden Rule. "Are we willing to be on the other end of this if the tables are reversed. " Johnson said.Said Keller: "It could come back and haunt us - we could be in the... (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
Dog-fighting - 187 dogs seized Dec 18, 2008
The investigation, called Operation Dead Game, was a joint effort between DPS, the USDA and the Harris County District Attorney's office. Source: Update posted on Nov 17, 2008 - 12:39PM. (Pet-Abuse.com)
Hamilton College grad tapped to lead USDA Dec 18, 2008
Your browser either has JavaScript disabled, or does not support it. AP President-elect Barack Obama looks on at left as Agriculture Secretary-designate, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, speaks at a news conference in Chicago, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008. (Utica NY Obserer, NY)
Joe the Discloser -- Government Transparency in 2008 Dec 17, 2008
Following in Johnson's footsteps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also reduced the amount of pesticide information being collected and the , the only publicly available data on pesticide use in the country. Andrew the Litigator Andrew M. Cuomo, New York State Attorney General. (OMB Watch)
An Assault on Public Protections: Regulatory Policy News in 2008 Dec 17, 2008
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also left consumers in the dark after an E. coli outbreak was linked to contaminated beef. In a June 30 announcement, USDA recalled half a million pounds and covered shipments sent to processors and wholesalers in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas ... On July 3, USDA expanded the recall to 5. (OMB Watch)
Lewisville: Roadside sales of animals, loose dogs in pickup beds prohibited Dec 17, 2008
None of the people with active permits in the city are licensed USDA brokers, according to the USDA. They come here only for their personal financial gain, without any regard for our community, citizens or pets. All of the adjacent cities do not allow the sale of animals in parking lots or in street rights-of-way, she said. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Low-carb diets and memory Dec 16, 2008
This research was carried out by Kristen E DAnci and colleagues of Tufts University, Medford, US, and the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging. No sources of funding are reported. (NHS Choices)
Not All Vets Treat Pets -- For Some It's About Homeland Security Dec 15, 2008
Veterinary pathologists are also working in federal and state diagnostic laboratories as well as with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and will be the first to know about foreign animal diseases in our country that could devastate our agriculture industry ... The USDA spends considerable effort and money keeping these foreign diseases out of our country, some of which are less than 90 miles from our border. (Pekin Times, IL)
One more herd with TB means one rung down the ladder (2) Dec 14, 2008
"Conversations are ongoing with USDA about Minnesota's future TB status should we find one more herd," said Hartmann in a news release ... USDA keeps status levels for TB based on how many herds are found during a given fiscal year ... The fiscal year for USDA starts in October and ends in September. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Programs aid entrepreneurs in Ariz., but results inconsistent Dec 14, 2008
Parker said that the fact that he worked for the USDA before he obtained 8(a) certification does not preclude him from participation in the program. "It's a fallacy to think that if you have an 8(a) certification and you worked in Washington before that, you're going to be an instant success," he said. (AZCentral -- Business)
Business Whirl: Deese now director of Council on Aging Dec 14, 2008
Peace also has worked in USDA offices in Cedartown, Jasper, Gainesville and Baxley. He has a bachelor s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Georgia. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Paul Shaffer receives Order of Canada Dec 14, 2008
Her Excellency is so smooth. She said, See what music, comedy can do. (Lake Superior News)
FruitFast® Offers Year-End Discount on All-Natural Products -- Looks to New Year with Additional Products and Growth Dec 13, 2008
Since it is often difficult to purchase these perishable fruits year-round, FruitFast offers several options for consumers making it easy to enjoy more fruit on a regular basis as recommended by the USDA. ... These great tasting, healthy go-anywhere treats are all natural and are USDA developed and patented - a perfect stocking stuffer for all ages. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Don't confuse food poisoning with the flu Dec 12, 2008
Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Related Subjects. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Bay Area wheat makes a comeback Dec 11, 2008
In the '90s, she discovered that she could request free samples of heirloom seeds from the USDA. She later borrowed a few acres from Full Belly as well as on the land of Sally Fox, a nearby cotton grower, and experimented with as many as 70 varieties, focusing on ones that had grown historically in the state. She started to notice that the older varieties had natural advantages for local organic farms, such as being naturally tall, which shades out weeds and reduces the need for herbicides. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Meeting Our Challenges With Serious Reform Dec 11, 2008
In 2005, for example, the USDA disbursed farm subsidies to over 300 wealthy Manhattan residents. Among the recipients were at least two billionaires and numerous Wall Street power brokers. (Agri-View, WI)
Norman Krinsky; helped redefine diet guidelines across globe Dec 10, 2008
"Carotenoids are the main source of vitamin A in developing countries," said Dr. Robert Russell, of Arlington, former director of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University School of Medicine and Dr. Krinsky's research partner for 25 years. "They give color to everything you eat, fruits, vegetables, dark green vegetables. They give color to fall leaves. It's carotenoids that make lobsters turn red when you cook them.". (Boston Globe)
Penny-Wise And Health Foolish Fast Foods Dec 10, 2008
Based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, our wide variety of menu choices can be made into meal combinations that provide less than one-third of the of the government's daily recommendation for total fat, sodium, and calories. McDonald's is committed to providing our customers with comprehensive nutrition information on our menu. (CBS News)
Mediterranean Diet Plus Nuts May Be Helpful In Managing Metabolic Syndrome Dec 10, 2008
7, 2006) In a review paper, Mohsen Meydani, DVM, PhD, director of the Vascular Biology Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, explores the. (Jan. (Science Daily)
Stauber to speak Dec. 13 Dec 10, 2008
He also served as under secretary for research, education and economics and deputy undersecretary for rural development at the USDA. Stauber received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, a certificate from the program for management development at the Harvard Business School and his doctorate from Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. Name. (Yanceyville Caswell Messenger, NC)
MFBF focuses on children for Ag Safety Awareness week Dec 9, 2008
USDA Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has proclaimed March 2-8 as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. In his proclamation, Schafer noted people of all ages, but children in particular, are at risk of injuries on the farm. (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
U.S. welcomes increased beef exports to South Korea Dec 9, 2008
6 million pounds of beef and beef variety meats to South Korea, according to the USDA.. In 2007, an estimated 53. (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
Dead Children Linked to U.S. Aid Policy in Africa Favoring American Firms Dec 9, 2008
In 2007, the programs shipping contracts were worth $385 million, according to the USDA. ... Of $813 million in commodities purchased for assistance programs, Decatur, Illinois-based ADM supplied 25 percent; Cargill, based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, 13 percent; and Bunge of White Plains, New York, 9 percent, the USDA said ... At the beginning of April, the USDA bought Kerstens peas through Premier Pulses International Inc., a Minot-based broker. (Bloomberg)
Johne's disease testing brochures free to producers Dec 9, 2008
Johne's disease is a slow and progressive bacterial disease of the intestinal tract that affects ruminants and is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis, states Dr. Michael Carter, National Johne's Disease Control Program Coordina-tor, National Center for Animal Health Programs, USDA-APHIS-VS. Infected animals can shed large numbers of the disease-causing bacteria in their feces, leading to contamination of feed and water sources without ever showing clinical signs ... The... (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
The Dangers of GMOs Dec 8, 2008
Occasionally they offer petitions to the FDA, USDA, or Congress regarding health issues including GMOs. The GMO food producers are big, powerful, and connected. (Suite101.com)
New EPA Proposal Could Cost Farmers Dec 8, 2008
It also shows that according to USDA data, that would include any livestock operation of more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle, or 200 hogs. Such numbers would include nearly every commercial livestock operation in the state, Duvall wrote. (Dublin Courier Herald, GA)
Rural America at crossroads awaiting ag secretary Dec 7, 2008
"USDA is the logical agency over food safety and it is not structured to do that job today - nobody is," Stenholm, a Texas Democrat and a lobbyist with a Washington law firm, told the annual convention of the Kansas Livestock Association on Friday. The current U.S. agriculture secretary is former North Dakota governor Ed Schafer, who was appointed by President Bush to replace Mike Johanns last fall. (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
Many Seek Help Putting Food on the Table Dec 6, 2008
She noted that, although TEFAP is funded through the USDA Commodity Food Program, which distributes the food to Northampton County from their warehouse in Butner, supplies have become increasingly hard to come by. It s rough. (Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, NC)
DNR COMPLIANCE Dec 5, 2008
He said financial assistance is available through grants and low interest loans through programs administered by Region XII Council of Governments and USDA Rural Development. Yale officials indicated residents soon will be able to sign up with the county's environmental health department as to what year they want to make their improvement. (The Guthrian, IA)
Gordon to join regional housing rehab effort Dec 5, 2008
Michele Simmons, a local USDA representative, told commissioners that the department designed the stack house and will inspect it annually. Reappointed Commissioner Dick Gordon, County Attorney Suzzane Hutchinson and Gordon County farmer Sam Payne to one-year terms on the Coosa Valley RDC board. (Calhoun Times, GA)
Salt Lurks In Unsuspected Foods Dec 3, 2008
A half-cup serving of Prego's Heart Smart Traditional Italian Sauce had 430 milligrams of sodium, slightly less than what the USDA allows per serving in foods labeled "healthy.". Breakfast foods were an unexpected source of hidden salt. (CBS News)
Palin's popular in these parts Dec 3, 2008
USDA cannot be assured that millions of dollars in farm program payments it made are proper, the Government Accountability Office investigators noted in the report issued Monday ... Without better oversight to ensure that farm program funds are spent as economically, efficiently and effectively as possible, USDA had little assurance that these funds benefit the agriculture sector as intended, the new report warns ... Congress, with its generous subsidies going to the rich, millionaire farm... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Traveling With Pets Dec 2, 2008
For international travel, a health certificate must be obtained from a certified veterinarian and stamped by the USDA seven to 14 days before boarding. Shots must be administered at least a month and not over a year before boarding by a licensed veterinarian. (Suite101.com)
Boll Weevil Feeding Habits Now Better Understood Dec 2, 2008
The research refines knowledge on the boll weevil that may help enhance the Boll Weevil Eradication Program in the subtropics, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and supported by ARS research. The program has enabled cotton farmers to reduce their use of pesticides by between 40 and 100 percent, and increase their cotton yields by at least 10 percent since the program s inception. (Science Daily)
Cinnamon: Spice for life Nov 30, 2008
Richard Anderson, a nutrition scientist at the USDA and one of cinnamon s biggest proponents, led a number of studies in which cinnamon lowered blood sugar levels. Anderson also believes the aromatic spice has potential to significantly affect any inflammatory disease, including heart disease, asthma and arthritis. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Safari Sanctuary Reopens After Deadly Attack Nov 30, 2008
"We spoke with the USDA and all the officials and everything and they declared that it was an accident, that we could open," owner, Lori Ensign said. Ensign told us the thousand pound liger was just being a liger, He didn't do anything wrong. (FOX23.com, OK)
Rising from ashes, tobacco rebounds Nov 28, 2008
According to the US Department of Agriculture, production of all tobacco varieties fell 27 percent to 640 million pounds in 2005, the first year without the price support program, which entitled license-holders to a quota of the total tobacco crop capped by the USDA each year. This year, production climbed to 805 million pounds - within 10 percent of the 2004 level of 882 million pounds. (Boston Globe)
What was she thinking? Nov 28, 2008
Rosie is a USDA prime example of you are what you eat. Posted by: jalama. (The Drudge Report)
Soremouth Highly Contagious in Sheep and GoatsPeople, Too Nov 28, 2008
According to a recent USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System Survey (NAHMS), 40 percent of the U.S. sheep operations report having soremouth in their flocks in the previous three years. Shepherds and goat raisers can, unfortunately, get soremouth from their livestock. (Agri-View, WI)
Report: Ban Some Uses of Antibiotics, Stop Some Kinds of Confinement Nov 28, 2008
Blackwell said it has been sent to the attorney general, the USDA, land grant universities, every senator and representative in Congress, and every state governor. Comments. (Agri-View, WI)
More Montanans can’t pay for food Nov 27, 2008
The USDA uses the term food insecurity to describe households that struggle to afford enough food ... 8 percent lived in households the USDA said had very low food security. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Updated: Thumbs up to rough-and-tumble Owls gameOpinion Blog: A great game; help a neighbor; don't forget Moore Park Nov 27, 2008
The Oregon hunger rate, according to USDA surveys, is well over the U.S. average. Some of us let our personal pride fog over our compassion, as in: They ll get by -- people need to take responsibility for themselves. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Hidden Health Risks Of The Holidays Nov 27, 2008
"Many families only cook once or twice a year and aren't as fanatical about keeping the meat out of the temperature danger zone, between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as they are about smaller cuts," says Diane Van, manager of the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline. And though most recognize that not fully cooking the meat can encourage the growth of unwholesome bacteria, many fail to realize the danger inherent in the long thawing process. (Forbes)
Vitamin K linked to insulin resistance in older men Nov 27, 2008
BOSTON - (November 26, 2008) Vitamin K slowed the development of insulin resistance in elderly men in a study of 355 non-diabetic men and women ages 60 to 80 who completed a three-year clinical trial at the Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (USDA HNRCA). "Men who received vitamin K supplementation had less progression in their insulin resistance by the end of the clinical trial," said Sarah Booth, senior author and director of the Vitamin K Laboratory at the... (EurekAlert!)
Tobacco production rebounds in U.S. Nov 26, 2008
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, production of all tobacco varieties fell 27 percent to 640 million pounds in 2005, the first year without the price support program, which entitled license-holders to a quota of the total tobacco crop capped by the USDA each year ... 75 billion in 2004, according to the USDA. Domestic cigarette sales are falling by 3 percent to 4 percent a year, a decline that has worsened since the quota system ended. (MSNBC -- Politics)
