Agriculture

Economic governance: A rich-country-only privilege?

You might think that the devastating impacts of commodity price volatility on global hunger would require policy debates in multiple international organizations.

Global Agricultural Policy in an Age of Land Grabs

LONDON, MAR. 5, 2012 – Last year, I was invited to speak on a panel at the European Parliament with Professor Lang to provide some international perspective for a discussion they were having about the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.

Sign-on letter in support of the Energy Title

A diverse coalition of 123 national and Minnesota organizations sent letters to U.S. House of Representatives and Senate leadership urging them to preserve and fund Farm Bill energy programs that are critical for national security, the environment, and rural economies.

Financing food with integrity

What is the “glue” that connects the farm and the fork? With “direct-market” channels like farmers markets and CSAs, we have the privilege of literally shaking the hand that feeds us.

Review: Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works

Many of us can remember that moment while eating fresh broccoli, sweet corn or kale and we were struck by how incredibly delicious vegetables taste. It is as if we were eating vegetables for the first time in our lives.

Public agricultural research needs to benefit the public

The importance of the Farm Bill’s Research Title is hard to overstate. It may not have a direct impact on people’s lives as the food assistance programs and farm programs do, but it is a crucial driver in the long-term direction of U.S. agriculture. Its impact goes far beyond the USDA research institutions and also drives research at land grant universities and many other entities.

Urging support for energy programs in the 2012 Farm Bill

Yesterday our Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken introduced a bill in the Senate to protect energy programs in the Farm Bill that are critically important for rural communities. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa led the bill’s introduction, and Sen. Kent Conrad from North Dakota was also a co-sponsor.

What's at Stake in the 2012 Farm Bill?

The U.S. Farm Bill—arguably the nation’s largest and most influential food policy tool—is written by Congress every five years. It includes far-reaching programs for crop production, farmers, rural development, energy, conservation and international food aid—the largest portion going to food assistance programs.

WEBINAR: Arsenic, Organic Formula and the Food System

A new study by Dartmouth finds high-level arsenic in rice, particularly brown rice syrup -- a sugar substitute used in formula, cereal bars and other kids' foods.  Levels in organic formula were 20 times higher than in non-organic varieties.

Everyone at the Table: Local Foods and the Farm Bill

The local foods movement in the United States has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade, but still represents a small portion of the overall food system. How can local food systems continue to grow and remain sustainable?