agriculture http://www.npr.org agriculture en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:21:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg agriculture http://www.npr.org yes Obama Would Veto House's Farm Bill, White House Says The Obama administration says the bill "makes unacceptable deep cuts" to federal food aid programs and extends, rather than cuts, crop insurance payments to farmers. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:21:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/17/192834899/obama-would-veto-houses-farm-bill-white-house-says?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/17/192834899/obama-would-veto-houses-farm-bill-white-house-says?ft=1&f=129009718 The Obama administration says the bill "makes unacceptable deep cuts" to federal food aid programs and extends, rather than cuts, crop insurance payments to farmers. no The Obama administration says the bill "makes unacceptable deep cuts" to federal food aid programs and extends, rather than cuts, crop insurance payments to farmers.

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]]> New Blood Sparks Identity Crisis For Fraternal Group Of Farmers A fraternal agriculture organization known as the Grange must bring in younger members to survive. But the new generation's interest in environmental issues and food politics is clashing with the Grange's support of industrial farms. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/06/14/188647380/new-blood-sparks-identity-crisis-for-fraternal-group-of-farmers?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/06/14/188647380/new-blood-sparks-identity-crisis-for-fraternal-group-of-farmers?ft=1&f=129009718 A fraternal agriculture organization known as the Grange must bring in younger members to survive. But the new generation's interest in environmental issues and food politics is clashing with the Grange's support of industrial farms. 337 no A fraternal agriculture organization known as the Grange must bring in younger members to survive. But the new generation's interest in environmental issues and food politics is clashing with the Grange's support of industrial farms.

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]]> Old McDonald Might Be A Lady: More Women Take Up Farming The number of women running farms of all sizes has tripled since the early 1980s, according to the USDA. Economists say that more women are seeing opportunities to try farming, especially if they already have an off-farm job. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/06/12/190982358/old-mcdonald-might-be-a-lady-more-women-take-up-farming?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/06/12/190982358/old-mcdonald-might-be-a-lady-more-women-take-up-farming?ft=1&f=129009718 The number of women running farms of all sizes has tripled since the early 1980s, according to the USDA. Economists say that more women are seeing opportunities to try farming, especially if they already have an off-farm job. no The number of women running farms of all sizes has tripled since the early 1980s, according to the USDA. Economists say that more women are seeing opportunities to try farming, especially if they already have an off-farm job.

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]]> As Drought Turns To Flood, Farmers Get 'Weather Whiplash' In the past three years, Midwestern farmers have seen flooding, then record-setting drought, and now flooding again. "As much as we think we have things cornered and we know what's going to be happening, you just don't know what will happen," a meteorologist says. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:31:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/06/12/191071185/as-drought-turns-to-floods-farmers-get-weather-whiplash?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/06/12/191071185/as-drought-turns-to-floods-farmers-get-weather-whiplash?ft=1&f=129009718 In the past three years, Midwestern farmers have seen flooding, then record-setting drought, and now flooding again. "As much as we think we have things cornered and we know what's going to be happening, you just don't know what will happen," a meteorologist says. 225 no In the past three years, Midwestern farmers have seen flooding, then record-setting drought, and now flooding again. "As much as we think we have things cornered and we know what's going to be happening, you just don't know what will happen," a meteorologist says.

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]]> Vilsack: Farmers Must Respond To Rising Temperatures Farmers, foresters, and ranchers need to respond now to the impact of climate change on their businesses, says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "You're going to see crops produced in one area no longer able to be produced, unless we mitigate and adapt now," he says. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/05/189021543/vilsack-farmers-must-respond-to-rising-temperatures?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/05/189021543/vilsack-farmers-must-respond-to-rising-temperatures?ft=1&f=129009718 Farmers, foresters, and ranchers need to respond now to the impact of climate change on their businesses, says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "You're going to see crops produced in one area no longer able to be produced, unless we mitigate and adapt now," he says. no Farmers, foresters, and ranchers need to respond now to the impact of climate change on their businesses, says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "You're going to see crops produced in one area no longer able to be produced, unless we mitigate and adapt now," he says.

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]]> Oprah Winfrey's Latest Venture Is Farming In Hawaii After Oprah Winfrey's friend and health adviser learned that 90 percent of the food on Maui is flown or shipped in from outside, he convinced her to turn a portion of her estate on the island into a farm. Winfrey is giving away the food she's now growing on 16 acres of land, but it may soon be for sale. Thu, 23 May 2013 16:42:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/23/186287608/oprah-winfreys-latest-venture-is-farming-in-hawaii?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/23/186287608/oprah-winfreys-latest-venture-is-farming-in-hawaii?ft=1&f=129009718 After Oprah Winfrey's friend and health adviser learned that 90 percent of the food on Maui is flown or shipped in from outside, he convinced her to turn a portion of her estate on the island into a farm. Winfrey is giving away the food she's now growing on 16 acres of land, but it may soon be for sale. no After Oprah Winfrey's friend and health adviser learned that 90 percent of the food on Maui is flown or shipped in from outside, he convinced her to turn a portion of her estate on the island into a farm. Winfrey is giving away the food she's now growing on 16 acres of land, but it may soon be for sale.

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]]> Vertical 'Pinkhouses:' The Future Of Urban Farming? Architects have come up with spectacular concepts for vertical farms that would grow crops in city skyscrapers. But many horticulturists think the future of vertical farming isn't in skyscrapers, but rather in large, indoor warehouses lit up magenta by superefficient LEDs. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:16:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185758529/vertical-pinkhouses-the-future-of-urban-farming?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185758529/vertical-pinkhouses-the-future-of-urban-farming?ft=1&f=129009718 Architects have come up with spectacular concepts for vertical farms that would grow crops in city skyscrapers. But many horticulturists think the future of vertical farming isn't in skyscrapers, but rather in large, indoor warehouses lit up magenta by superefficient LEDs. no Architects have come up with spectacular concepts for vertical farms that would grow crops in city skyscrapers. But many horticulturists think the future of vertical farming isn't in skyscrapers, but rather in large, indoor warehouses lit up magenta by superefficient LEDs.

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]]> Is It Safe To Use Compost Made From Treated Human Waste? Treated human waste has been used on farmland for decades, but the ick factor has not entirely faded. Some environmentalists think the treatment process may not get rid of all the harmful contaminants that could be in the waste. Sun, 12 May 2013 16:27:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/07/182010827/is-it-safe-to-use-compost-made-from-treated-human-waste?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/07/182010827/is-it-safe-to-use-compost-made-from-treated-human-waste?ft=1&f=129009718 Treated human waste has been used on farmland for decades, but the ick factor has not entirely faded. Some environmentalists think the treatment process may not get rid of all the harmful contaminants that could be in the waste. no Treated human waste has been used on farmland for decades, but the ick factor has not entirely faded. Some environmentalists think the treatment process may not get rid of all the harmful contaminants that could be in the waste.

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]]> Chicken Diapers? Urban Farming Spawns Accessory Lines As urban chicken farms grow in popularity, many people are bringing the birds into their homes. They need the right equipment to keep them clean. So several businesses have popped up online, offering everything from custom-sized diapers and leash-ready saddles to chicken caviar. Wed, 01 May 2013 14:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/30/180135026/chicken-diapers-urban-farming-spawns-accessory-lines?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/30/180135026/chicken-diapers-urban-farming-spawns-accessory-lines?ft=1&f=129009718 As urban chicken farms grow in popularity, many people are bringing the birds into their homes. They need the right equipment to keep them clean. So several businesses have popped up online, offering everything from custom-sized diapers and leash-ready saddles to chicken caviar. no As urban chicken farms grow in popularity, many people are bringing the birds into their homes. They need the right equipment to keep them clean. So several businesses have popped up online, offering everything from custom-sized diapers and leash-ready saddles to chicken caviar.

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]]> Why An Immigration Deal Won't Solve The Farmworker Shortage Many farmers are cheering government proposals to give thousands of seasonal farmworkers a path to legal status. But even if the bill passes, it won't solve the long-term trend of fewer migrants coming north to work on U.S. farms. Farmers will instead have to learn how to do more with less immigrant labor. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/30/180053057/why-an-immigration-deal-wont-solve-the-farmworker-shortage?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/30/180053057/why-an-immigration-deal-wont-solve-the-farmworker-shortage?ft=1&f=129009718 Many farmers are cheering government proposals to give thousands of seasonal farmworkers a path to legal status. But even if the bill passes, it won't solve the long-term trend of fewer migrants coming north to work on U.S. farms. Farmers will instead have to learn how to do more with less immigrant labor. 359 no Many farmers are cheering government proposals to give thousands of seasonal farmworkers a path to legal status. But even if the bill passes, it won't solve the long-term trend of fewer migrants coming north to work on U.S. farms. Farmers will instead have to learn how to do more with less immigrant labor.

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]]> A Legal Twist In The Effort To Ban Cameras From Livestock Plants Legislation introduced in several states would require anyone who records evidence of animal abuse to turn it over to authorities within a set period of time. But animal rights activists aren't welcoming these measures: They see the bills as veiled attempts to stifle long-term undercover investigations that can prove a pattern of abuse.<strong></strong> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/10/176843210/a-legal-twist-in-the-effort-to-ban-cameras-from-livestock-plants?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/10/176843210/a-legal-twist-in-the-effort-to-ban-cameras-from-livestock-plants?ft=1&f=129009718 Legislation introduced in several states would require anyone who records evidence of animal abuse to turn it over to authorities within a set period of time. But animal rights activists aren't welcoming these measures: They see the bills as veiled attempts to stifle long-term undercover investigations that can prove a pattern of abuse.<strong></strong> no Legislation introduced in several states would require anyone who records evidence of animal abuse to turn it over to authorities within a set period of time. But animal rights activists aren't welcoming these measures: They see the bills as veiled attempts to stifle long-term undercover investigations that can prove a pattern of abuse.

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]]> Cities Turn Sewage Into 'Black Gold' For Local Farms Cities are finding beneficial and lucrative ways to dispose of solid waste, while also helping farmers. But a lot of sewage still ends up in landfills or being processed at big, industrial incinerators. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:12:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/10/176822392/cities-turn-sewage-into-black-gold-for-local-farms?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/10/176822392/cities-turn-sewage-into-black-gold-for-local-farms?ft=1&f=129009718 Cities are finding beneficial and lucrative ways to dispose of solid waste, while also helping farmers. But a lot of sewage still ends up in landfills or being processed at big, industrial incinerators. 288 no Cities are finding beneficial and lucrative ways to dispose of solid waste, while also helping farmers. But a lot of sewage still ends up in landfills or being processed at big, industrial incinerators.

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]]> Did Congress Just Give GMOs A Free Pass In The Courts? Congress on Thursday approved stopgap funding legislation that includes language explicitly granting the USDA authority to override a judge's ruling against genetically modified crops. Critics denounce the measure as the "Monsanto Protection Act." But it seems to be codifying powers the USDA already has exercised in the past. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/21/174973235/did-congress-just-give-gmos-a-free-pass-in-the-courts?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/21/174973235/did-congress-just-give-gmos-a-free-pass-in-the-courts?ft=1&f=129009718 Congress on Thursday approved stopgap funding legislation that includes language explicitly granting the USDA authority to override a judge's ruling against genetically modified crops. Critics denounce the measure as the "Monsanto Protection Act." But it seems to be codifying powers the USDA already has exercised in the past. no Congress on Thursday approved stopgap funding legislation that includes language explicitly granting the USDA authority to override a judge's ruling against genetically modified crops. Critics denounce the measure as the "Monsanto Protection Act." But it seems to be codifying powers the USDA already has exercised in the past.

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]]> Spring May Have Sprung, But Most Gardens Are Still Slumbering Spring has sprung, but in most parts of the country, just-picked vegetables are still months away. In northern Minnesota, growers are experimenting with solar soil-warming techniques to coax spring to appear earlier. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/20/174834830/spring-may-have-sprung-but-most-gardens-are-still-slumbering?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/20/174834830/spring-may-have-sprung-but-most-gardens-are-still-slumbering?ft=1&f=129009718 Spring has sprung, but in most parts of the country, just-picked vegetables are still months away. In northern Minnesota, growers are experimenting with solar soil-warming techniques to coax spring to appear earlier. no Spring has sprung, but in most parts of the country, just-picked vegetables are still months away. In northern Minnesota, growers are experimenting with solar soil-warming techniques to coax spring to appear earlier.

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]]> Wild Bees Are Good For Crops, But Crops Are Bad For Bees When it comes to pollinating our favorite crops — from coffee to watermelon — honeybees can't do it alone. Wild bees in the field play a critical role in creating bumper crops, a massive new study reports. But these bees are disappearing, and scientists say the rise of crop monocultures is partly to blame. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:56:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/01/173167125/wild-bees-are-good-for-crops-but-crops-are-bad-for-bees?ft=1&f=129009718 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/01/173167125/wild-bees-are-good-for-crops-but-crops-are-bad-for-bees?ft=1&f=129009718 When it comes to pollinating our favorite crops — from coffee to watermelon — honeybees can't do it alone. Wild bees in the field play a critical role in creating bumper crops, a massive new study reports. But these bees are disappearing, and scientists say the rise of crop monocultures is partly to blame. 265 no When it comes to pollinating our favorite crops — from coffee to watermelon — honeybees can't do it alone. Wild bees in the field play a critical role in creating bumper crops, a massive new study reports. But these bees are disappearing, and scientists say the rise of crop monocultures is partly to blame.

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