ARS

The USDA is looking to farmers for input on improving data collection. This could really change how market information is reported and used.

Earlier this week, the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced the USDA had awarded the Evergreen state $4.2 million through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

OSU’s Hermiston Potato Field Day took place Wednesday and growers and researchers from across the Northwest turned out to share the latest information.

There are still many questions about the DOGE cuts put forward by the Administration, but one thing is for certain; the local potato industry is already feeling the impact.   Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington state Potato Commission, said the federal cuts weren’t surgical, and it appears there wasn’t much thought behind the decisions made.  Voigt said the...

New research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service sheds light on the causes behind the catastrophic honeybee colony losses reported by commercial beekeepers this year.  The findings point to an alarmingly high level of viral infections caused by Varroa mites that have resistant genes to a common treatment.    “Our ...

How are Doge cuts impacting the farming community?  That depends on who you ask.   Some in rural America are applauding the Administration’s work to trim agencies in an effort to shrink the national debt.  But others are concerned that these cuts to USDA, ARS, and others will create more problems for farmers than they will prevent.  Central Washington’s Dan New...

Oregon State University announced last week that Dr. Steve Young has been named the new Director of the North Willamette Research and Extension Center, effective June 16th.  OSU said Young brings a strong track record of strategic leadership and program development across research, extension, and federal service.   ...

Earlier this week, Oregon’s senators sent a letter to the Ag Secretary, regarding staffing shortages at the ARS after mass firings by the Trump Administration.  Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said they are concerned about the impacts these shortages will have on the farmers, ranchers and fisherman across the state, and across the country, and their ability to remain competitive.  The senators ... Read

Love grapes? Maybe you are a traditionalist regarding flavors and taste. Maybe you like to venture into exotic fare like, say, cotton candy flavored grapes (there is such a thing).  No matter what your palate enjoys regarding grapes, know that chances are they are a product of traditional plant cross breeding.  ...

ABC News is reporting the USDA has directed agency officials to review and remove content related to climate change from its public websites.  ABC News said they obtained internal e-mails that say the directive instructs web managers to identify, archive, or unpublish materials mentioning climate change by "no later than close of business Friday”.  In an email sent Thursd...