City, firm complete rural economic development loan

Officials with the City of Webster City have announced the completion of the USDAa SRural Economic Development Loan to Mary Ann's Specialty Foods of Webster City. In February 2016, the City Council of Webster City Approved a resolution authorizing the City's application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program for a loan in the amount of $1 million on behalf of Mary Ann's Specialty Foods.

The Snare of Escapism

Many things in modern life have an epicurean appeal, a flare that even the most ascetic among us may be hard done by to resist. While it is certainly true that a contemporary, urbanised life demands much of us, sometimes to the point of inducing breakage, this same life also affords us much time to indulge in activities and offerings that were proscribed to our agrarian forebearers.

GAO Confirms ‘Climate of Fear’ Exists in Poultry Processing Plants

The central underlying problem is the pervasive climate of fear inside poultry plants; when workers are afraid to report issues, OSHA and other inspection agencies are unable to detect or investigate problems. Eighteen months after the GAO issued a report confirming that poultry workers face inordinate health and safety hazards and that many of these problems go under-reported, a follow-up investigation calls on all three federal agencies-- the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-- to improve ways for workers to communicate issues without fear of retaliation.

Smith awaits the president’s signature for confirmation

The Atlantic resident was nominated in September to the board of directors for the Farm Credit Administration and on Tuesday, Pat Roberts, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, announced that Smith's nomination was confirmed by the Senate, and Smith ... (more)

Kathleen Parker: Big boxes and small towns

Even though an estimated 115 million Americans rushed to malls and big box stores for Black Friday sales, others were reporting that the annual spend-a-thon has lost its bang.Gone is the thrill of the stampede, the fist-fights over a big screen, the trample to grab the last Soggy Doggy. In a Washington Post story, one Alabama veteran of weeklong parking lot campouts lamented that his Best Buy store had closed owing to Americans' changing spending habits.

Judy Reyher calls the kettle black

What a shame for champions of statesmanship in our politics: A longtime political operative obviously conflicted on matters of race and religion in America is headed to the Colorado legislature. We shake our heads missed opportunity to find a good conservative more in line with Colorado views than newly appointed Rep. Judy Reyher.

Fire Recovery Begins; Demand for Flash Wine Treatment Strong

CalFire declared the North Coast wildfires contained in late October, leaving wine grape growers in Napa County and elsewhere to take account of how the blazes affected their vines and properties. Although few vineyards burned during the fires, growers had to deal with debris cleanup, repairing damaged infrastructure such as melted irrigation lines and preparing for winter rains.

USDA rolls back Obama-era school lunch requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has followed through on Secretary Sonny Perdue's proclamation earier this year to loosen regulations on school lunches put in place during the administration of President Barack Obama. The Agency published an interim rule in the Federal Register on Thursday that allows schools to offer one percent flavored milk to students, opt out of offering whole-grain products, and freeze sodium levels instead of further reducing them.

How a giant agriculture merger could price Texas farmers out of their jobs

Two of the world's largest agricultural firms plan to merge, and some Texas farmers fear the move will diminish competition in an already shrinking market and cause prices for seeds and other essential products to spike. German conglomerate Bayer, a global distributer of seeds best known for its pharmaceuticals like aspirin, hopes to buy Missouri-based agricultural firm Monsanto, which sells agricultural chemicals.

U.S. corn, soy acreage to expand in 2018-19, USDA says

U.S. farmers are likely to expand plantings of both corn and soybeans while reducing wheat seedings for the upcoming marketing year, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Tuesday. The USDA's Office of the Chief Economist forecast that farmers will seed 91 million acres of corn in the 2018-19 crop year, up from 90.4 million for 2017-18 but down from 94 million in 2016-17.

ND could be one of the most affected states if US withdraws from NAFTA

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a list of the states most likely to be negatively affected if the U.S. withdraws from the North American Free Trade Agreement, placing North Dakota at third, behind only Michigan and Wisconsin. "Absolutely," says Lindsey Warner, director of marketing and events at NDTO.

At least 235 killed in blast, shooting at Egypt mosque

These microloans are espe... Orlando, Fla. - An ice cold first half proved costly, as Nebraska nearly rallied back from an 18-point deficit before falling to UCF, 68-59, at the AdvoCare Invitational at ... -- Paralympic athlete and convicted killer Oscar Pistorius will spend the next 13 years and five months behind bars after the South African Supreme Court of Appeal ... -- President Donald Trump shared his Black Friday plans for a quick game of golf with Tiger Woods in between a call with Turkey and talks on American jobs.

Georgia Farm Bureau to hold convention in December

Georgia Farm Bureau members will gather on Jekyll Island for the organization's 80th annual meeting Dec. 3 to 5. Gov. Nathan Deal, U.S. Dist 1 Rep. Buddy Carter and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black will address convention attendees during the general session on Dec. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.