Agriculture in the United States

NRCS Invites Proposals for 2020 Conservation Innovation Grants

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Innovation Grants, Conservation biology, Nature, Agriculture in the United States, Natural environment, United States Department of Agriculture

DAVIS, Calif., March 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

Key Points: 
  • DAVIS, Calif., March 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.
  • CIG is a voluntary program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production.
  • Proposed projects should augment existing NRCS technical tools (planning, assessment/delivery) to better facilitate conservation on farms and ranches.
  • Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process and in 2020 will not include a pre-proposal process.

Land Trust Alliance Statement on Updated IRS Data Regarding Abusive Conservation Easement Tax Shelters

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Real property law, Property law, Land law, Agriculture in the United States, Conservation easement, Conservation in the United States, Energy law, Real estate, Easement, Land Trust Alliance, Land trust

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance shared updated Internal Revenue Service data showing the continuing cost of abusive conservation easement tax shelters.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance shared updated Internal Revenue Service data showing the continuing cost of abusive conservation easement tax shelters.
  • The following statement can be attributed to Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance:
    This new data undeniably shows the problem of abusive conservation easement tax shelters has gotten worse.
  • Our 1,000 member land trusts, along with 11 other national conservation and appraisal organizations, affirm support for the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act.
  • Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America.

New Conservation Area in Texas Boasts Hundreds of Natural Springs

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 24, 2020
Conservation in the United States, Environment of the United States, Agriculture in the United States, Conservation easement, Energy law, Real property law, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Frio River, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, United States, Natural environment

The easement was funded in part by the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program, overseen by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Key Points: 
  • The easement was funded in part by the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program, overseen by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
  • Located in Real County, the Krause Ranch features hundreds of natural springs creating a five-mile-long aquatic network feeding the West Frio River, which flows through the ranch.
  • The springs and the river host several species of aquatic life only found in pristine, undisturbed conditions.
  • "The conservation easement further provides a means for preserving traditional farm and ranch values as well as protecting the natural resources."

Certified organic flavors now required in organic products

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Product certification, Articles, Agriculture, Economy, Agriculture in the United States, Food safety, Livestock, National Organic Program, Organic certification, Organic product, Organic food, Organic wine

Washington, D.C., Jan. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A final rule published by the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Organic Program (NOP) now requires the use of certified organic flavors in certified organic products when they are commercially available.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, D.C., Jan. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A final rule published by the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Organic Program (NOP) now requires the use of certified organic flavors in certified organic products when they are commercially available.
  • Our position is that the organic flavor supply has grown to a size where it is no longer appropriate to allow the use of non-organic natural flavors in certified organic products.
  • The Organic Trade Association submitted a petition to help grow the availability and use of organic flavors in 2014.
  • Currently, there is no formal guidance from the National Organic Program on the commercial search and use of natural and organic flavors for NOP certified products.

Land Trust Alliance, Allies Call for Immediate Passage of Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Real property law, Nature, Property law, Natural environment, Agriculture in the United States, Conservation easement, Conservation in the United States, Energy law, Easement, Conservation biology, Land trust, Land Trust Alliance

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --The Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America, today joined 11 other organizations in calling for immediate passage of the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --The Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America, today joined 11 other organizations in calling for immediate passage of the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act.
  • The bipartisan Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act (S. 170 and H.R.
  • That revenue estimate is predicated on the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act becoming law this year.
  • Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America.

Ocean Spray Expands Its Pure Portfolio of Unsweetened Premium Fruit Juices, Continuing its Focus on Health and Wellness

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 9, 2019
Food and drink, Ocean Spray, Cranberry, Juice, Economy of the United States, Agriculture in the United States

The Pure portfolio expansion and its ethos of simple ingredients represents the cooperative's continued focus on health and wellness, and Ocean Spray's commitment to reshaping the future of the food system into a health and wellness system.

Key Points: 
  • The Pure portfolio expansion and its ethos of simple ingredients represents the cooperative's continued focus on health and wellness, and Ocean Spray's commitment to reshaping the future of the food system into a health and wellness system.
  • Ocean Spray Pure fruit juices contain no added sugars, no artificial flavors, no preservatives, and are non-GMO.
  • Building off the success of Pure Cranberry at Walmart since 2017, Pure will now be available in Pure Cranberry, Pure Tart Cherry, Pure White Grapefruit, and Pure Concord Grape.
  • Ocean Spray Pure Cranberry, Pure Tart Cherry, Pure White Grapefruit, and Pure Concord Grape are currently available online at Walmart.com and in 1,400 Walmart stores and will roll out nationally at other retailers in January 2020.

National Pork Board Study Defines China's Growing Need for Protein

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Agriculture in the United States, Pork, Agriculture, Food and drink, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, Commodity checkoff program, Pork. The Other White Meat

"The Pork Checkoff is committed to adding value for pork producers," said David Newman, a pig farmer representing Arkansas and president of the National Pork Board.

Key Points: 
  • "The Pork Checkoff is committed to adding value for pork producers," said David Newman, a pig farmer representing Arkansas and president of the National Pork Board.
  • The Pork Checkoff collaborated with the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the National Pork Producers Council on the Pork 2040 study.
  • The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public.
  • Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold.

FOSTER FARMS DONATES THANKSGIVING TURKEY TO FEED MORE THAN 100,000 INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH FOOD INSECURITY

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Agriculture in California, Articles, Agriculture in the United States, Food bank, Foster Farms, Brain, Hunger, Thanksgiving

Livingston, Calif., Nov. 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, family-owned Foster Farms kicks off its annual West Coast Thanksgiving turkey donation program.

Key Points: 
  • Livingston, Calif., Nov. 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, family-owned Foster Farms kicks off its annual West Coast Thanksgiving turkey donation program.
  • Foster Farms formally began its Thanksgiving turkey donation program in 2008 and, since that time, has provided assistance to more than one million West Coast residents.
  • Among Foster Farms longtime partners in the fight against hunger is Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services , which will receive nearly 13,000 pounds of turkey to support its annual holiday food drive.
  • Foster Farms encourages others to join them in the fight against hunger and to donate to their local food bank.Among the foodbanks receiving donations this year are:

More Grocery Brands Signing on For Farmstead’s Refill & Save Program, Which Now Accounts for Over Half of Farmstead’s Revenue

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 16, 2019
States of the United States, Food and drink, Agriculture in the United States, Oregon Coast, Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook County, Oregon, Niman Ranch

Among the new brands participating in Refill & Save are national brands Niman Ranch, Little Secrets, Tillamook Cheese, True Story Foods and local Bay-Area brands Alexandre Farms, St. Benoit Creamery, and Santa Cruz Pasta Factory.

Key Points: 
  • Among the new brands participating in Refill & Save are national brands Niman Ranch, Little Secrets, Tillamook Cheese, True Story Foods and local Bay-Area brands Alexandre Farms, St. Benoit Creamery, and Santa Cruz Pasta Factory.
  • 28 percent of Farmsteads inventory is now eligible for Refill & Save (either by a brand partnership or Farmsteads choice), which now accounts for 52 percent of the companys revenue.
  • The service is built on the premise that most households buy many of the same things every time they grocery shop.
  • Customers love the convenience and the savings they get from Farmsteads Refill & Save offering, and brands love the stickiness and the insights, said Farmstead co-founder and CEO Pradeep Elankumaran.

Bob Cabral Joins Vintage Wine Estates as Consulting Winemaker for Oregon's Firesteed Winery

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Pinot noir, Oregon wine, Agriculture in the United States, Wine, Economy of Oregon, Trisaetum Winery, Fiddlehead Cellars

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Aug. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Vintage Wine Estates announced today that renowned Pinot Noir winemaker Bob Cabral will assume consulting winemaking duties for the company's Oregon winery, Firesteed, located in Oregon's Willamette Valley winegrowing region.

Key Points: 
  • SANTA ROSA, Calif., Aug. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Vintage Wine Estates announced today that renowned Pinot Noir winemaker Bob Cabral will assume consulting winemaking duties for the company's Oregon winery, Firesteed, located in Oregon's Willamette Valley winegrowing region.
  • "High-quality Pinot Noir is a major priority for us," commented Vintage Wine Estates CEO Pat Roney.
  • Firesteed Winery was acquired in 2017 and is a volume and dollar growth powerhouse for Vintage Wine Estates.
  • Firesteed Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir, something which Vintage Wine Estates believes keeps the wine true to its varietal character, texture and color.