Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to pay $1.25 billion to settle more claims by black farmers who said they were discriminated against in federal farm loan programs.
Extended Period of Cold Raises Fears for Florida Crops
As a cold spell continued its rigid hold on much of the eastern United States on Tuesday, farmers in central and southern Florida were bracing for freezing temperatures overnight that could damage orange, strawberry and tomato crops.
Zimbabwean President Plans to Evict All White Farmers; Lobby Group Protests
A Zimbabwean farmers’ lobby group has condemned a proposal by President Robert Mugabe to evict remaining white farmers from their land before elections are held within two years.
Hillary Clinton unveils US food security initiative
NEW YORK — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled Friday a food security initiative launched by the Obama administration to combat hunger worldwide.
USDA to buy $30 million in pork to help farmers
The U.S. government plans to buy another $30 million in pork products in fiscal 2009 for federal food assistance programs to help the flailing hog industry, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Thursday.
Iowa Governor Culver seeks agriculture disaster declaration for Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa - Gov. Chet Culver is seeking an agriculture disaster declaration for 23 Iowa counties that sustained crop damage from storms this year.
US calls timeout on 'roadless' forest projects
WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a temporary order yesterday governing development in "roadless" areas of national forests, requiring all new projects to be approved by him personally.
China Uses Planes as Rainmakers in Drought Areas
China, the world’s biggest grain producer, is using its air force to try to make rain in rural areas struck by the nation’s worst drought in five decades.
Vilsack: USDA Must Serve Eaters as Well as Farmers
When former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack was nominated as secretary of agriculture, many food policy activists, noting his reputation as a friend to corporate agriculture and ethanol producers, rendered a verdict that was swift and harsh: agribusines...
Vilsack: USDA Must Serve Eaters as Well as Farmers
When former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack was nominated as secretary of agriculture, many food policy activists, noting his reputation as a friend to corporate agriculture and ethanol producers, rendered a verdict that was swift and harsh: agribusines...