Many farmers and ranchers in drought-ridden New Mexico are making improvements to their irrigation systems this spring, while also keeping an eye on the 2023 Farm Bill. The bill, reauthorized by Congress every five years, has always been about fair food prices for farmers and consumers, and maintaining a sufficient food supply. The focus was initially on commodity crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans - but has grown to fund farm subsidies, low-income food assistance programs and conservation projects. .
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced two federal grants aimed at helping farmers reduce soil erosion in Iowa and other Midwest states. In addition to benefiting the land, farmers could see another revenue stream from adding a crop which has not been profitable in the past. Jacqueline Comito, research manager for Iowa Learning Farms, said the state will get $540,000 from the U.S. .
By Brian Roewe for Earthbeat.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaboration. The region in central Kentucky where the Sisters of Loretto have resided for 200 years is often described as "holy land." Now, more than 650 acres of that land surrounding their motherhouse will be protected and preserved permanently under the terms of a new conservation easement. The arrangement, signed Jan. .
Nebraska s small and medium-sized meat processors may be improving and/or expanding their businesses thanks to a new lower-interest loan program designed specifically for them. The Center for Rural Affairs has added a Meat and Poultry Processing Loan program to its current loan offerings. The program is made possible with the U.S. .