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Agriculture

At least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef, federal health officials said. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Four of those who fell ill were hospitalized, including two people who developed a serious complication that can cause kidney failure, an ...

Conservation and climate-smart agriculture focus of investment

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a historic $1.5 billion for 92 partner-driven conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. Partners will provide $968 million in contributions to amplify the impact of the federal investment. Selected RCPP projects will help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand voluntary, locally led conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while ...

Grant opportunity to strengthen forest economy and forest jobs

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has announced it is making up to $34 million in funding available to support innovation and jobs in the forestry sector while supporting healthy forest landscapes. The agency is seeking proposals that will spark innovation, create new markets for sustainable wood products and renewable wood energy, and expand processing capacity. The funding is available through the Forest Service’s three key grant programs to support the forest products economy: Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant, and Wood Products ...

Juniata County Dairy Promotion: Say “cheese’

Hello. My name is Caylee Imes and I'm a Juniata County dairy maid. Dairy products are the main source of calcium in most people's diet, and cheese is a great one that you can add to just about any meal or snack. According to the USDA website, the United States produces 29% of the world's ...

Penn State Extension to offer ‘Biocontrol School’ in December

UNIVERSITY PARK — Interested in learning about sustainable pest control? Penn State Extension will hold "Biocontrol School" Dec. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd., Lancaster. The workshop is aimed at greenhouse and vegetable growers, crop consultants, Master Gardeners, educators, and anyone interested in learning about sustainable pest control. Industry and academic experts will join experienced growers to share the latest advancements in biocontrol research and application. The workshop will help participants understand biological control; ...

USDA invests in rural farmer communities to lower energy costs

BRUNSWICK, Maine — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program. USDA is investing $163 million in loans, grants and technical assistance that will support 338 clean energy projects in 39 States and Guam. Many of the projects are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. “The administration is partnering with people in rural ...