Infrastructure

An often overlooked but vital aspect of rural life is the safety and maintenance of highways, roads and bridges.  Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing recently testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, on the importance of maintaining rural roadways.   “I think o...

There are several on-farm issues the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association is working on this legislative session in Boise.  And for Executive Director Samantha Parrott, no issue is bigger than water.   She said there were several challenges last year in the eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, which put hundreds of thousands of acres of water in jeopardy.  While an agr...

The American Society of Civil Engineers gives Oregon a C-minus for infrastructure.  The group’s Ana Tijerina Esquino said they graded 12 categories.   “Bridges and roads, for example, did get downgraded this time. That is because our road ...

Last week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an investment of $9.6 million across the country to help farmers, ranchers, processors, and rural businesses diversify the meat supply.   “We’re putting the needs of farmers, ranchers, and consumers at the forefront of our work to strengthen the resiliency of America’s food supply chain while promoting competition,” he said. “USDA is working on an appr

On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is investing $285 million in critical infrastructure.  The investment seeks to lower energy costs, expand access to clean energy for people across rural America, and combat climate change.  USDA is...

The Farmers Conservation Alliance was recently awarded $120,000 from Google to better manage data, as they help 40 different irrigation communities in the west learn to better manage their water.   “When you think about working with each of those communities and looking at infrastructure that’s a significant part of rural communities, you just have a lot of information that you’re managing."

The National Grain and Feed Association asked Congress to intervene, if necessary, to prevent any interruptions of rail service that could occur if negotiations fail between carriers and labor groups. Last week, the association sent letters to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee...

The Department of Agriculture this week announced $121 million in funding for “critical infrastructure” to combat climate change in rural America.  The investments include $111 million for 289 projects to help people living in socially vulnerable communities.      “Rural Am...

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will have a meaningful impact on America’s rural and agriculture communities. “Agriculture is at the forefront of our fight against climate change,” Vilsack said. “From climate-smart ag...

On June 2nd, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grants.  The department awarded more than $368 million for 46 projects in 32 states and the District of Columbia, including two in the state of Washington; the Pierce County Rail Capacity and Reliability Improvement Project, as well as the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor Reliabilit