#AgTechTakeback - Neither neoluddism nor corporate ag

As the role of technology increases in farming and food, and corporate powers use this to extend their power, we need to strive for technological developments that are appropriate for farmers, for eaters and for the planet. Welcome to #AgTechTakeback.

USDA reorganization 2.0: Cut researchers, cut research

Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump’s former director of strategy, aimed to “deconstruct the administrative state.” The means of deconstruction are by now a familiar litany:

More than 300 State Legislators Urge Removing Corporate-Friendly ISDS Provisions from NAFTA

Earlier this week, U.S. state legislators released a letter signed by 312 lawmakers from all 50 states urging an end to the controversial investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system in the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Uprooted Episode 44: The Affordable Clean Energy Rule

Josh talks with Tara Ritter about the rollback of the Clean Power Plan, which was proposed by the Obama administration and held up in the courts. The replacement, the Affordable Clean Energy Rule is a thinly veiled attempt to prop up the dying coal industry at the expense of the expanding clean energy sector, including the job boom it would create in rural areas. 

Trump and Mexico back down on farmer protections in NAFTA

NAFTA is often touted as a big win for U.S. farmers, but it would be more accurate to say it has been a win for global agribusiness firms who trade across borders. A proposed and reportedly rejected seasonal anti-dumping provision wouldn’t have solved all the problems with NAFTA—but it would have been a significant step toward balancing a playing field that tilts overboard toward agribusiness and away from farmers.