As part of its week-long focus on food and climate change, National Public Radio reported on California agriculture’s interest in agave as an alternative crop. Unlike many other crops, agave can grow with just three inches of water each year, and it is tolerant of high heat. More producers are planting agave in California, and […]

Research published in the journal Science and reported in The New York Times showed that when bat populations declined from disease, farmers increased their pesticide use to address increased insect pressure on crops. In turn, this led to higher infant mortality, scientists found. Specifically, pesticide use in U.S. counties affected by white-nose disease in bats […]

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is launching an Untreated Seed Pilot Program that offers funding on a per-acre basis to American growers and producers interested in sourcing and using corn, soybean, and cereal-crop seeds not coated with neonicotinoid insecticides. The program aims to support beneficial insect populations which contribute to healthy habitats for birds. Pilot program […]

USDA’s National Organic Program announced a new tool to help producers and handlers interested in organic certification connect with USDA accredited certifiers. Anyone interested in attaining organic certification can now use the Organic Certification Interest Form to answer a few questions about their business activities and products they want certified organic. Completed interest forms will […]

The Rich Earth Institute has a new publication available free, online, Farmer Guide to Fertilizing with Urine. The Rich Earth Institute reports that interest in urine nutrient reclamation has been surging, driven by spiking synthetic fertilizer prices, global supply disruptions, and increasing regulations on aquatic nutrient pollution. This 27-page guide compiles information and best practices […]