FDA delays some safety requirements for produce under FSMA to make them less complicated, costly

FDA is pushing back the compliance dates for most agricultural water testing standards outlined in the Food Safety Modernization Act's Produce Safety Rule to "simplify our approach to make compliance less burdensome and less costly, while still being protective of public health," the agency's commissioner announced Sept. 12. Speaking to attendees at the annual conference for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture in New Orleans, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb recognized that "agricultural water can be a major conduit of the pathogens that contaminate produce," such as those that lead 2006 E. coli outbreak in bagged spinach that sickened 200 people nationwide and killed three.

A Blue Badger in Trump Country

Later, Baldwin heard from constituents concerned about President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to the very same USDA program. She vowed to fight those and other suggested funding reductions from her perch on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

USDA helps with Harvey’s aftermath

Many parts of the federal government are hard at work helping state and local officials cope with the massive problems Hurricane Harvey has created. While it isn't the lead agency for rescue efforts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is playing an important role in facilitating recovery from this immense natural disaster.

Hunger Declines, But Budget Cuts Could Reverse Progress

New data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that 12.3 percent of U.S. households were food insecure in 2016, declining further from a peak of 14.9 percent in 2011. Bread for the World warned that significant cuts to programs that help people living in hunger and poverty could reverse the progress that has been made.

From sugar mills to hog farms, U.S. agriculture braces for Irma

Hurricane Irma sent farmers and food companies scrambling to protect processing facilities, farm fields and animal herds in the South and Southeastern parts of the United States on Wednesday. Florida sugar and citrus processors rushed to secure rail cars and equipment that could be crushed, blocked or turned into flying projectiles.

DTN/The Progressive Farmer Confidence Index Shows Farmer Optimism Fades

DTN/THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER CONFIDENCE INDEX SHOWS FARMER OPTIMISM FADES Sep. 6, 2017 Source: DTN/ The Progressive Farmer news release The post-2016 presidential election bump, which was credited with giving farmers and others in rural America high hopes for the future, appears to be flattening, according to the most recent DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agricultural Confidence Index . The survey, which was conducted in August 2017, shows that while farmers are more optimistic than August 2016, the strong optimism they started the year with is waning.

Agriculture secretary highlights ‘rural prosperity’ in visit to New Hampshire

An 11-4 season-ending win against Portland on Monday, giving the Fisher Cats nine wins over the final 14 games, wasn't enough to prevent the team from posting its worst win total and winning... "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two" was the title of an article by George Miller whose premise was that most people can keep a seven-digit number ... (more)

Lego to cut 1,400 staff as decade-long sales boom ends

An 11-4 season-ending win against Portland on Monday, giving the Fisher Cats nine wins over the final 14 games, wasn't enough to prevent the team from posting its worst win total and winning... "The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two" was the title of an article by George Miller whose premise was that most people can keep a seven-digit number ... (more)

There’s A ‘Strong Moral Case For Energy Abundance.’ Here’s Why [VIDEO]

Energy expert Myron Ebell served as the Trump administration's head of transition for the Environmental Protection Agency and became the "target" of radical environmental groups' hate campaigns, he told The Daily Caller News Foundation in an exclusive interview. He became a focus of protests, with some even even using projectors to shine his name on to the EPA building while chanting, "Stop the Evil Myron Ebell!" He continues to hit back by explaining how the Trump administration is unwinding strangling government red tape, and highlighting the president's efforts to stimulate energy, mining, agriculture, forestry and manufacturing in America again.

Iowa secretary of agriculture nominated for top job at USDA

WEBVTT KGROUND THAT MAYBENEFIT IOWA.SONNY PERDUE WILL SOON TAKE ONTHE TITLE AS THE NATION'SSECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.IOWA EXPERTS ARE CONCERNED THATTHERE WON'T BE A SINGLEMIDWESTERNER IN TRUMP'S CABINET.>> AN IDEAL SECRETARY OFAGRICULTURE PICK WOULD HAVE BEENSOMEONE FROM THE MIDWEST, WHOUNDERSTANDS MIDWESTERNAGRICULTURE AND RENEWABLE FUELBUT, THEY'RE HOPEFUL THAT PERDUE-- TOMMIE: BUT THEY'RE HOPEFULTHAT PERDUE CAN LIFT UP ASTRUGGLING AG ECONOMY WITH HISTRADE AND FARMING EXPERIENCE.>> HE'S PRO TRADE WHICH ISCRITICAL NOT ONLY TO IOWA PORKPRODUCERS BUT TO THE ENTIRE USINDUSTRY.WE NEED TO KEEP THAT GOING ANDWE THINK HE'S A GOOD SELECTION.WE HOPE HE IS CONFIRMED.

In Wake of Hurricane Harvey, Consumers Should Research Charities Before Giving

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and historic flooding across southeast Texas, Commissioner Adam H. Putnam encourages Floridians to visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com to research charitable organizations before donating money to help those in need. "Our hearts go out to the people of Texas, and I hope that Floridians can respond with the same generosity that our state has received time and time again," Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said.

Californians should support the Cadiz Water Project: Tony Cardenas and Paul Cook

California is home to amazing natural resources, a diverse economy and a hard-working population eager to flourish. However, we don't have sufficient water to meet the needs of all who call California home.

USDA Integrates Recalls Information into ‘FoodKeeper’ Application

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced new updates to its popular FoodKeeper application that will provide users with new information on food safety recalls. The app has been updated so users can choose to receive automatic notifications when food safety recalls are announced by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration .