Catching up to the Local Food Revolution

Catching up to the Local Food Revolution

This year, spring arrived early as a record-breaking heat wave swept across the nation, making it feel like summer in Minnesota, Virginia, and many other parts of the country. Farmers are either already planting their crops or just about to start. Consumers who shop...
Congress Must Pass a Farm Bill in 2012

Congress Must Pass a Farm Bill in 2012

There’s a nasty fight brewing in Washington over the budget that could determine whether a farm bill is enacted in 2012. Given the gridlock that has afflicted Congress since before this election year even got underway, some lawmakers say it should wait until...

A Climate-Friendly Farm Bill

We’re in a rut when it comes to taking action on climate change. Congress has stalled on passing climate legislation. International negotiators failed to agree on binding emission cuts in Cancun late last year. And it’s unclear whether the EPA will have...

We Can’t Afford Cheap Meat Anymore

Most Americans view cheap meat as a good thing, but they generally don’t understand who pays the high cost of the policies making it inexpensive. More than 80 percent of the beef, pork and poultry consumed in this country comes from livestock fed and processed...

Boondoggle Sidetracks Crops for Renewable Energy

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Congress passes a bill to address an urgent public need. A greedy industry finds a loophole and steps in to siphon off a half-billion dollars without accomplishing anything new. Free money, no public purpose served, taxpayers...