agricultural

Research assistant Kyle Kootswaytewa of the Institute of American Indian Arts Tribal College and University checks on the health of native corn crops in the IAIA Demonstration Garden, in Santa Fe, NM in 2019. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung)

Native American agricultural leaders detail farm bill priorities at U.S. Senate hearing

BY: - March 24, 2023

WASHINGTON — A roundtable of Native American agricultural leaders at a recent U.S. Senate hearing lobbied for increased sovereignty and social justice in the coming farm bill by expanding tribes’ jurisdiction over U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.  It’s called “638” authority and refers to Public Law 93-638, which gives tribes the power to manage certain […]

A corn field and nearby wind turbines on June 13, 2018, in Dwight, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Limits on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland gain support in Congress, despite skepticism

BY: - March 20, 2023

WASHINGTON — Bipartisan momentum is building in Congress to restrict China and other foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. farmland, a reflection of a similar push by some states as well as apprehension over Chinese spy balloons, rising land prices and growing international competition.  “Foreign ownership of agricultural land threatens small family farms and the overall […]

Closeup photo of a man refueling a vehicle. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Big oil supports bills to make sales of 15% ethanol blends year-round

BY: - December 5, 2022

LINCOLN — The U.S. Senate, with volatile gasoline prices top of mind, is inching toward a bipartisan solution to a years-long push for year-round sales of ethanol blends of 15% or more. Bills to codify the change have shared support from agricultural organizations and biofuels boosters, including the congressional delegations from ag states like Nebraska, […]