US Congress Calls for Action on Honduras in Response to Murders of Land and Environmental Activists

In two strongly worded letters to the new Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, almost 80 United States legislators on Friday expressed their grave concern at the risks facing activists who defend their land and the environment in Honduras. A recent Global Witness report exposed how more than 120 land rights defenders have been killed since 2010.

Resources are available for beginning farmersAre you thinking about…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a website to connect farm entrepreneurs with programs, services and resources for anyone interested in getting started into farming at www.usda.gov/newfarmers. The site features advice and guidance on everything a new farm business owner needs to know, from writing a business plan, to obtaining a loan to grow their business, to filing taxes as a new small business owner, starting or expanding an operation, developing new markets, supporting more effective farming and conservation practices, and having access to relevant training and education opportunities.

On-the-farm research making the case for industrial hemp

Real-world research in more than a dozen states in recent years is giving farmers new understanding of how to grow industrial hemp and showing that it has promise to be a viable commercial crop in the U.S. The 2014 federal farm bill allowed for university and state-sponsored research programs of the plant whose fiber can be used in products from paper to clothing and whose oil can be an ingredient in food and health products. Programs have now been launched in 15 states, with two more states coming online, according to the hemp advocacy nonprofit Vote Hemp.

new Republicans hope Trump amenable to food stamp restrictions

Maine resident Zak McCutcheon says he likes soda but acknowledges he'd drink less of it if his governor convinced Republican President Donald Trump to put restrictions on the approximately $200 a month he receives in food stamps. He thinks it may even make recipients healthier and less overweight.

Xi, Trump pledge to expand mutually beneficial cooperation, manage differences

Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping shake hands during their dinner at Mr Trump's Mar-a Lago resort in Florida Tillerson, who briefed reporters alongside Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross at the conclusion of the summit, also said Trump said China needs to make changes to its economy in order to "level the playing field for American workers, stressing repeatedly the need for reciprocal market access". Trump aides, who participated in the two-day talks held at the US President's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, described the meetings as productive and said the two leaders exhibited "positive" chemistry.

California’s environmental crusaders helped save our state. Now, they face down Trump

Communities for a Better Environment organizer Alicia Rivera tries to get shoppers interested in a protest march. It did not begin well for Alicia Rivera, who carried a stack of fliers as she made her way around the parking lot of a Wilmington shopping center.

Lull in spring rains helps Mississippi corn planting

Fall preparation paid off for many Mississippi corn producers who were able to take advantage of a gap in spring rains to plant much of their crop early. Erick Larson, corn specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said warm weather and a break in typical spring rains has allowed farmers to make considerable corn planting progress this spring.

Trump in No Hurry to Staff ‘Enemy of the People’ Offices

The New York Times on March 12 reported that the Trump administration, for a variety of reasons, was filling the offices of administrative agencies at a glacial pace. From the Department of Agriculture to the Weather Service, over 2,000 mid-level political-appointee positions were still unfilled; the Times called it "the slowest transition in decades."

Trump to approve Keystone XL today at meeting with TransCanada CEO: official

A depot used to store pipes for TransCanada Corp's planned Keystone XL oil pipeline is seen in Gascoyne, North Dakota in this November 14, 2014 file photo. A depot used to store pipes for TransCanada Corp's planned Keystone XL oil pipeline is seen in Gascoyne, North Dakota in this November 14, 2014 file photo.

Big Things on the Horizon for FWH Associates, P.A.

The Toms River-based engineering firm announces two new projects and celebrates the recent achievements of its Director of Engineering Consulting, Georgette Kyriacou. Georgette Kyriacou, Director of Engineering Consulting at FWH Associates, P.A., is the recipient of the 2017 NJBA Rising Star Award and the 2016 Jack Meyer Memorial Rookie of the Year Award.

Mississippi company recalls thousands of pounds of catfish

A Mississippi company has recalled 1,695 pounds of catfish product that may be adulterated with residues of public health concern. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a routine inspection by the Food Safety and Inspection Service revealed "violative levels of the chemicals Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green."

AM markets: wheat falls anew, despite US crop deterioration

The proportion of the crop in Kansas, the top growing state, rated "good" or "excellent" fell by 2 points week on week to 36%, amid "dry, windy conditions", US Department of Agriculture data overnight showed. In Oklahoma, the rating dropped by 2 points to 40%, and in Texas, where "precipitation across the state was scarce", by 1 point to 34%.

Bird flu cases revive fear of repeat of major 2015 outbreak

In this April 20, 2015 file photo, a sign warning visitors to stay away from an infected turkey farm in Melrose, Minn. The detection of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu at a Tennessee chicken farm is reviving memories of a widespread domestic outbreak in 2015 that required the slaughter of millions of turkeys and chickens.

WikiLeaks CIA files: Are they real and are they a risk?

WikiLeaks has published thousands of documents that the anti-secrecy organization said were classified files revealing scores of secrets about CIA hacking tools used to break into targeted computers, cellphones and even smart TVs. The CIA and the Trump administration declined to comment on the authenticity of the files Tuesday, but prior WikiLeaks releases divulged government secrets maintained by the State Department, Pentagon and other agencies that have since been acknowledged as genuine.

Trump set to roll back federal fuel-economy requirements

In this Feb. 21, 2017 file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks to employees of the EPA in Washington. The Trump administration is moving to roll back federal fuel-economy requirements that would have forced automakers to significantly increase the efficiency of new cars and trucks.