October, 2024

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Good Goats Make Good Neighbors

Civil Eats

On a sunny California day, Ricky Bobby the goat chomps across a hillside with the speed and pizazz of his NASCAR driver namesake from Talladega Nights. Along with his fellow herd members, all employed by the nonprofit Happy Goat to reduce wildfire risks, Ricky Bobby is doing what he does best, gobbling up weeds, shrubs, and leaves from low-hanging branches.

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The truth about farm expansion with Monette Farms

Real Agriculture

In Episode 15 of The Truth About Ag Podcast, Kristjan Hebert and Evan Shout dive into the complex world of land management and expansion with Darrel Monette of Monette Farms. Known for its impressive —and sometimes controversial— growth over the past 15 years, Monette Farms has become a force across multiple regions. Darrel shares hard-won. Read More In Episode 15 of The Truth About Ag Podcast, Kristjan Hebert and Evan Shout dive into the complex world of land management and expansion with Darre

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Weekend reading: Hunger in America

Food Politics

Marianna Chilton. The Painful Truth about Hunger in America: Why We Must Unlearn Everything We Think We Know—and Start Again. MIT Press, 2024. 366 pages. MIT Press asked me to do a back-cover blurb for this book, which I was pleased to do. Marianna Chilton’s uncompromising book cuts to the heart of what’s wrong with America’s “safety net” for poverty and hunger.

Food 289
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The biofortification debate continues

Agricultural Biodiversity

Sorry everyone, but I totally forgot to remind you all that Jeremy would be presenting a GROW webinar on biofortification yesterday. But fear not, the recording will be up soon , and of course Jeremy interviewed one of the authors of the Global Food Security paper behind the whole thing last year. Yes, he interviewed himself, take it up with him. Anyway, there was a reply to the paper.

Food 180
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What you can learn from 700 people in a machine shed

Western FarmPress

My Generation: Loss has run tragically deep in one farm neighborhood this fall. Here are those stories, and the love that remains.

Farming 145
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Capturing carbon from the air just got easier

Berkeley Blog

A new type of porous material called a covalent organic framework quickly sucks up carbon dioxide from ambient air The post Capturing carbon from the air just got easier appeared first on Berkeley News.

Science 145
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Continuing Service: A Veteran Turns to Agriculture to Help Others

USDA Blog

Joe Ricker, a man of many titles including colonel, veterans outreach coordinator, nonprofit founder, farm owner, consultant and beekeeper, has consistently dedicated himself to helping service members thrive. His collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been a key factor in his work. “Make a plan, stick to the plan, and USDA will have your back and help you,” he said.

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England’s attempt to reduce high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) in the food supply

Food Politics

Late in September, the British government ussued guidance about reducing intake of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, collectively HFSS. The guidance is based on the provisions of the Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations of 2021. The regulations provide for restrictions on the promotions and placement in retail stores and their online equivalents of certain foods and drinks that are high in fat, salt or sugar ( HFSS ) or ‘less healthy’.

Food 290
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Brainfood: Food systems, Micronutrients, Animal-source foods, Dietary diversity, Opportunity crops, Traditional landscapes, Gastronomic landscapes, Opportunity crops, Biofortification, Fermentation

Agricultural Biodiversity

Global and local perspectives on food security and food systems. Six experts have their say on how to transform food systems, and dietary diversity seems to be a common (though not a universal) theme. Let’s dig a little deeper into that. Global estimation of dietary micronutrient inadequacies: a modelling analysis. A lot of people could probably do with eating more fruits and vegetables, for example.

Food 177
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Don’t jump into biologicals without testing

Western FarmPress

Biological products are the new frontier in crop protection and fertility. And farmers are navigating their use on their farms.

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Times Higher Ed ranks UC Berkeley No.1 public university in U.S.

Berkeley Blog

Berkeley also moved up to 8th best in the world overall in the 2024 report. The post Times Higher Ed ranks UC Berkeley No.1 public university in U.S. appeared first on Berkeley News.

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USDA Intern Gains Hands-on Experience and Learns the Value of Networking

USDA Blog

Marco Antonio Alcantar Alvarez, a rising sophomore at California State University majoring in graphic design, was one of 14 students selected for an internship over the summer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) High School Equivalency Program (HEP)/College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). Established in 2023 with eight interns, this year’s intern cohort has nearly doubled in size.

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The Sharp Edge: Weight vs count — what’s the best seed choice for higher soybean yields?

Real Agriculture

Some soybean varieties produce higher pod counts and more beans while others produce heavier beans but fewer pods and fewer beans. When it comes to choosing soybean varieties how should growers factor seed weight and pod count into their variety selection decisions? That’s a question the Maizex Seeds agronomy team has been looking at in. Read More Some soybean varieties produce higher pod counts and more beans while others produce heavier beans but fewer pods and fewer beans.

Seeding 317
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Weekend reading: Regenerative Agriculture

Food Politics

Ronnie Cummins and Andr é Leu. The Regenerative Agriculture Solution: A Revolutionary Approach to Building Soil, Creating Climate Resilience, and Supporting Human and Planetary Health. Chelsea Green, 2024. I was asked to do a blurb for this one, and did: This book is a testament to the vision of the late Ronnie Cummins. His friend, André Leu, memorializes Cummins’ lifelong work with this overview of the demonstrable benefits of regenerative agriculture for everything in the book’s subtitle, a

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Mind the gap between crop diversity and nutrition

Agricultural Biodiversity

With all eyes on Cali for the UN Biodiversity Conference ( CBD COP16 ), it is timely to have a close look at National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) from different perspectives. Do they properly address plant genetic resources for food and agriculture , for example? And if they do, do they make the link to nutrition? That latter question is investigated in a new report from the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN), entitled “ Biodiversity and Nutrition Syne

Crop 177
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FP Next: What do agriculture buzzwords actually mean?

Western FarmPress

Ep. 27: Sustainability, cage-free, non-GMO, carbon neutral. These labels impact agriculture, farmers and the consumer opinion.

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To make children better fact-checkers, expose them to more misinformation — with oversight

Berkeley Blog

"We need to give children experience flexing these skepticism muscles and using these critical thinking skills within this online context," a UC Berkeley psychology researcher said. The post To make children better fact-checkers, expose them to more misinformation — with oversight appeared first on Berkeley News.

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A 2501 Grant Connects Spanish-Speaking South Texas Farmers with Agriculture Opportunities at USDA

USDA Blog

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement (SARA) supports rural communities through strategies that address environmental, economic and social aspects of agricultural sustainability. Additionally, SARA encourages its university faculty and students to engage in research, education and hands-on learning experiences in these communities.

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Ag Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Cattle genetics and leadership with Paul Larmer

Real Agriculture

Becoming a leader in improving cattle genetics and influencing the global view of the Canadian dairy sector starts at a young age. Paul Larmer attributes a good portion of his career success to having been raised with a strong work ethic, humility and the influence of 4-H on his attitudes, public speaking, teamwork and attention. Read More Becoming a leader in improving cattle genetics and influencing the global view of the Canadian dairy sector starts at a young age.

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Pet Food I. Is the FDA doing enough to ensure its safety?

Food Politics

Two items about pet food this week. Today: safety. Tomorrow: environmental sustainability. I have a long-standing interest in pet food, which I view as an integral—essential—component of our overall food system , not least because pet food uses food components that would otherwise be wasted. I co-authored a book about pet food issues: Feed Your Pet Right.

Food 214
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Nibbles: China genebanks, African genebanks, PNG genebank, Opportunity crops, Bananocalypse, IRRI genebank, African Runner Peanut, Australian genebank, Agrobiodiversity, Navajo agriculture, Wayuu agriculture, COPs

Agricultural Biodiversity

With remarkable regularity, China announces some impressive genebank thing. Like a catalog for 105 tropical crop genebanks. But where is it? On the other hand, we probably don’t hear enough about African genebanks, so this piece is very welcome. Or about genebanks in Papua New Guinea , for that matter. Have we heard enough about “ opportunity crops ” yet?

Crop 158
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Immigrant Workers Are the Backbone of Our Food System

Civil Eats

As part of our mission, Civil Eats reports on the U.S. food system’s disproportionate impact on immigrants and communities of color. Immigrant food system workers toil in the nation’s restaurants, farms, and food processing facilities, and have some of the least visible but most strenuous and dangerous jobs in the country. Many are underpaid and vulnerable to food insecurity and workplace abuses.

Food 134
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David Baker, a UC Berkeley Ph.D., awarded 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Berkeley Blog

Baker is one of three Nobel winners this year with a UC Berkeley connection The post David Baker, a UC Berkeley Ph.D., awarded 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry appeared first on Berkeley News.

Science 143
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Breaking barriers, honoring diversity and advancing inclusion: USDA Partners with University of North Carolina at Pembroke to Expand Opportunities for Tribal Students

USDA Blog

October is a special month, full of opportunities to reflect on the beauty and strength found in our diversity. As we celebrate both Global Diversity Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re reminded of how different perspectives and experiences can shape a more inclusive future. These observances push us toward a shared goal: creating an environment where everyone—regardless of their background—can thrive.

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Edible Bean School: Harvesting with high-capacity combines

Real Agriculture

High-capacity combines are finding a fit in edible bean fields as growers look to cover more soy, corn, wheat and edible acres with fewer machines, and also take advantage of their gentler grain handling capabilities. On this episode of RealAgriculture’s Edible Bean School, host Bernard Tobin rides along with Fred Van Osch of Van Osch. Read More High-capacity combines are finding a fit in edible bean fields as growers look to cover more soy, corn, wheat and edible acres with fewer machines

Harvest 317
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Industry-funded opinion of the week: Forget about ultra-processed

Food Politics

A reader, Bart Peuchot, writes: I would be very interested to have your view on this new publication for Nature. As you taught me, I checked the competing interests and it seems to be a perfect industry-funded publication. And then ,I ran across this Tweet (X) from @Stuart Gillespie : New paper concluding “more research needed” …brought to you by Nutrition Foundation of Italy… …which in turn is brought to you by ….

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Brainfood: Heraclitus, Cocoyam, Pollen, Dry chain, DSI, Global Biodiversity Framework

Agricultural Biodiversity

Will a plant germplasm accession conserved in a genebank change genetically over time? Sure, change is inevitable, but it can be minimized, and some can be accepted. Cocoyam ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) genetic resources and breeding: a review of 50 years of research efforts. Conventional breeding, based on inducing flowering, is possible, but will require more international exchange of germplasm.

Seeding 161
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Will we have enough wheat in 2025?

Western FarmPress

Ag Marketing IQ: Wheat is walking a weather-dependent tight rope of global supply and demand. Here are fundamental factors that could support a rally in 2025.

Marketing 131
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Economist James A. Robinson, a new Nobel laureate, left a lasting impact in his years at UC Berkeley

Berkeley Blog

Robinson helped to transform the study of development in low-income countries, and built a network of influential former students. His win is now one of four 2024 Nobel Prizes awarded to scholars with UC Berkeley connections. The post Economist James A. Robinson, a new Nobel laureate, left a lasting impact in his years at UC Berkeley appeared first on Berkeley News.

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E. Kika De La Garza Fellow Helps Students Step Out of Their Comfort Zone

USDA Blog

Nearly twenty years ago, all that Dr. Circe Niezen, professor at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR), knew about the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was the USDA approval sticker on her luggage for agricultural safety when she traveled from Puerto Rico to the continental United States.

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Private member’s bills’ prospects fading ahead of election or prorogation

Real Agriculture

Regular government business has come to a standstill in the House of Commons over the past week, decreasing the likelihood that multiple agriculture-related bills will cross the finish line before Parliament is inevitably dissolved for an election or prorogued. The impasse over the Liberals’ refusal to yield to a Conservative motion to hand over green.

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The PCAST report: a timid step forward

Food Politics

PCAST, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, has released its REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT A Vision for Advancing Nutrition Science in the United States. I learned about the report from a Tweet (X) : I wrote about an earlier draft of the report in a previous post: The federal vision for chronic disease prevention: individual behavior, not the environment.

Science 200
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The latest on the Carolina African Runner Peanut

Agricultural Biodiversity

Jeremy’s latest newsletter discusses the (partial) revival of the Carolina African Runner Peanut by chefs. We have blogged about that here on before , but this is a useful update. Believe it or not, there are other food podcasts worth listening to. One of them is Gravy, produced by the Southern Foodways Alliance. Recently I listened to the episode America’s Lost Peanut and the Price of Bringing it Back and I have no hesitation in recommending you do the same.

Food 150
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NASDA and NASS Meet with Future Agriculture Leaders

NASDA

During NASDA’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, college students from the NASDA Foundation’s Next Generation Program had the chance to connect with leaders from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Fourteen students from nine universities met with NASS Administrator Joe Parsons, Indiana State Statistician Nathanial Warenski, Western Field Operations Director King Whetstone and NASDA’s Charlie Ingram and Josh King.

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Project 2025 could be disastrous for the climate. Legal scholars are preparing to fight back.

Berkeley Blog

UC Berkeley's Ken Alex says regardless of who the next president is, proponents will continue to push for this "straightforward statement of climate denial." The post Project 2025 could be disastrous for the climate. Legal scholars are preparing to fight back. appeared first on Berkeley News.

Science 137
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USDA Celebrates National 4-H Week

USDA Blog

This week, we celebrate National 4-H Week and the incredible impact the organization offers young people around the country. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), we pay special tribute to this observance as the 4-H Youth Development program is headquartered in USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This unique partnership with NIFA, the Cooperative Extension System through land-grant universities and the National 4-H Council empowers young people to lead for a lifetim

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Online tool to assess habitat and biodiversity on-farm set to launch across Canada

Real Agriculture

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is set to launch a province-specific, online Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool (HBAT). The $1.

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