Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) announced the 16 awardees in its Beginning Farmers Stipend program for 2024. This grant program provides stipends up to $5,000 for historically underserved farmers and ranchers who have been farming for less than three years. The fund has awarded at total of $75,000 to 16 grantees across nine states.

Civil Eats published a story on the “farm stop,” an emerging business model that sells products from nearby small and mid-sized farms on consignment. The farm stop offers a new way to connect farmers and consumers. At least six farm stops are operating in the Midwest. Participating producers set their own prices and keep 70% […]

A paper published by The Open University notes that more than 75% of the food consumed in the world today comes from just 12 plant and five animal species and explains that a more diverse food system would provide public and environmental health benefits, as well as economic benefits. Study authors writing in The Conversation […]

Scientists from the University of Maryland published the results of their research on improving urban soils with treated manure and compost amendments. In testing of soils from urban farms and community gardens around Washington, DC, and leafy greens grown in those soils, researchers found that the total amount of bacteria was higher in soils treated […]

Twenty new members were appointed to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, USDA announced. This committee is part of USDA’s support for equitable access to USDA’s services and programs and creating more market opportunities for local and regional production. The committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on strategies, policies, and programs that enhance […]