Opportunity stems from pandemic shortages
Fewer steps in any process can reduce the margin for error, and as the nation is facing significant challenges to its industrial food system highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic, it…
Read More...Farmers Impacted by COVID-19 now eligible to defer FSA loan payments
Well into the growing season, many farmers who have lost both revenue and markets as a result of the ongoing pandemic continue to struggle with paying existing farm debt. While…
Read More...Invoking the Defense Production Act for the rest of the food supply
President Donald Trump’s executive order late last month invoking the Defense Production Act to keep meat and poultry plants open got a ton of media attention, but there’s one big thing that…
Read More...As COVID-19 disrupts the industrial meat system, independent processors have a moment to shine
Shutdowns and slowdowns of meatpacking plants in the consolidated, industrial system have led to meat shortages at grocery stores and the euthanization and disposal of millions of animals. Meanwhile, small and mid-size slaughterhouses, packers, and…
Read More...USDA announces details of direct assistance to farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
USDA announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by…
Read More...Pandemic relief could become next forest policy battleground
The long-running debate about how best to care for national forests — and what to do with timber that’s taken from them — is quietly brewing again as lawmakers look…
Read More...Plant-based food sales see greatest gains yet as meat shortage fears grow
With the meat processing industry in a tailspin amid Tyson and Smithfield plant closures owing to outbreaks of COVID-19, there is a potential nationwide meat shortage looming. This shortage, coupled with consumer…
Read More...Most farmers in the Great Plains don’t grow fruits and vegetables. The pandemic is changing that.
Amid massive tracts of wheat and corn destined for global markets, some farmers are planting cover crop mixes including fruits and vegetables designed to be harvested by their communities.
Read More...Agencies revamp strategy to address crews’ virus risk
In new plans that offer a national reimagining of how to fight wildfires amid the risk of the coronavirus spreading through crews, it’s not clear how officials will get the…
Read More...NM cattle ranchers fear ‘demise’ of industry
Prices for beef in grocery stores have skyrocketed as many packing plants across the country, almost all of which are managed by such large corporations, attempt to manage outbreaks that…
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