pandemic

Protect the Harvest will cease operating on October 31st citing funding challenges that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The organization was created in 2011 as a non-profit educational and advocacy effort to promote and defend American farmers and ranchers, improve food security, protect property rights, ensure animal welfare, and support outdoor sports.   “...

The National Dairy Council was founded by America’s farm families and funded by the National Dairy Checkoff.  Katie Bambact, vice president of nutrition affairs for the National Dairy Council, says the NDC has championed child nutrition for over 100 years.  The Coun...

Oregon hop growers will harvest around 5,500 acres this season, compared to 7,000 acres just two years ago.   "It’s a significant amount of hop trellises that don’t have hops on them right now," said Sam Pecoraro with Von Ebert Brewing.  He added the reduct...

Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows food away from home spending varied during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In April 2020, spending at full-service restaurants declined 71% compared with April 2019.  Spending at fast-food restaurants fell 32%, and spending at all other food-away-from-home establishments dropped 41% over the same period.   Full-service res...

Because of the pandemic, many businesses and industry were forced to adopt new restrictions and guidelines very quickly, including the aquaculture industry.  But, thanks to AMS, some of those costs can now be addressed. Through the Agricultural Marketing Service Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program, another round of grants are available to seafood processors and proc

Most Oregonians who receive food assistance through the SNAP program will again see a larger allotment this month; but it’s the last time emergency food benefits will go out.  Around 416,000 Oregon households will share an additional 71-thousand dollars in payments in February.  March will be...

In today's Wine Minute, Katie Salisbury with the Washington Wine Commission talks about international efforts in a post-pandemic world.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

A newly published report from Oregon State University shows producers are slowly recovering from the pandemic.  OSU Professor of Applied Economics Jeff Reimer said the last, nearly three years, were tough for Oregon food and beverage exporters who rely on the ability to build relationships overseas.   “...

Oregon senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkely as well as Washington’s Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell joined 10 others this week sending a letter to the USDA about the western Drought and conservation priorities.  The lawmakers are asking the agency to give parity to the urgent priorities of Western growers and communities through existing authorities, new funding, and collaboration across government.  

In fiscal year 2021, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, served an average of 41.5 million people monthly.  ERS reported this week the 2021 figure is an increase of about 5.8 million per month compared with fiscal year 2019.  SNAP pa...