A news release yesterday from the Arkansas Agriculture Department (AAD) indicated that, “The [AAD] is working to keep Arkansans informed about dicamba laws and regulations as inspectors work to address an increasing number of alleged dicamba misuse complaints. Governor Hutchinson has directed Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward and Plant Board Director Terry Walker to visit areas where there have been complaints in order to report back to him with findings and recommendations.

“An online webpage has been established that will provide updated information to the public which will include the current number and county of alleged dicamba misuse complaints, frequently asked questions, links to pesticide training, and applicable regulations. This webpage is available at
http://www.aad.arkansas.gov/arkansas-dicamba-information-updates. Additionally, the Plant Board’s Pesticide Committee will hold weekly public meetings beginning this Friday, June 16 through Friday, July 21 to stay updated on the situation.”

Yesterday’s update noted that, “The State Plant Board is a part of the Arkansas Agriculture Department. The Arkansas Agriculture Department is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation.”

A news release yesterday from Purdue University indicated that, “Nationally renowned experts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Organic Seed Alliance, and Purdue University will present a one-day classroom and field-based workshop on organic vegetable seed production.

“Participants will learn the fundamentals needed to grow organic vegetable seed, including seed biology, harvesting, storage and how to conduct variety trials.

“Hosted by Purdue Extension, the training will be held on Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Daniel Turf Center, 1340 Cherry Lane, and The Student Farm, 1491 Cherry Lane, West Lafayette.”

Yesterday’s update added that, “The workshop is sponsored by Purdue Horticulture, Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture and Tomato Organic Management and Improvement.

“Registration is $15 and includes lunch catered by The Juniper Spoon, http://www.thejuniperspoon.com/.

“To learn more and register online, go to http://tinyurl.com/y7da7dsh.”

A news release from the United States Department of Agriculture yesterday stated that, “The [USDA] today announced the projects selected to receive the USDA’s annual farm to school grants designed to increase the amount of local foods served in schools. Sixty-five projects were chosen nationwide.

“‘Increasing the amount of local foods in America’s schools is a win-win for everyone,’ said Cindy Long, Deputy Administrator for Child Nutrition Programs at USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, which administers the Department’s school meals programs. ‘Farm to school projects foster healthy eating habits among America’s school-age children, and local economies are nourished, as well, when schools buy the food they provide from local producers.’

“According to the 2015 USDA Farm to School Census, schools with strong farm to school programs report higher school meal participation, reduced food waste, and increased willingness of the students to try new foods, such as fruits and vegetables. In addition, in school year 2013-2014 alone, schools purchased more than $789 million in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers. Nearly half (47 percent) of these districts plan to purchase even more local foods in future school years.”

The USDA update added that, “Grants range from $14,500 to $100,000, awarding a total of $5 million to schools, state agencies, tribal groups, and nonprofit organizations for farm to school planning, implementation, or training. Projects selected are located in urban, suburban and rural areas in 42 states and Puerto Rico, and they are estimated to serve more than 5,500 schools and 2 million students.

“This money will support a wide range of activities from training, planning, and developing partnerships to creating new menu items, establishing supply chains for local foods, offering taste tests to children, buying equipment, planting school gardens and organizing field trips to agricultural operations, Long said. State and local agency interest and engagement in community food systems is growing. Having received 44 applications from state or local agencies, 17 state agencies will receive funding.”

“More information on individual projects can be found on the USDA Office of Community Food Systems’ website at www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/grant-awards.”

Mychel Matthews reported this week at the Idaho Statesman Online that, “Folks used to ‘homestead’ — raise gardens and livestock, milk their own cows and gather eggs from their own hens — until it became easier and sometimes cheaper to purchase mass-produced foods from a store.

“As people moved from the country into the city, many left their animals and their gardening skills behind. During the 1950s, cities across the nation began to outlaw animals within their boundaries, and the concept of sustainability seemed to disappear from the collective consciousness.

“Now, some say they miss the homesteading lifestyle and want it back. Some say they should have the right to grow their own food. And some big cities are re-evaluating their stances and permitting food-producing animals in residential zones.”

The article noted that, “‘When Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the U.S., is selling little chicken coops and chicken feed, that shows (urban homesteading) is a long-lasting trend,’ said Gretchen Anderson of Eagle, a leader in the urban homesteading movement, a former Magic Valley resident and author of ‘The Backyard Chicken Fight.’ ‘It’s a paradigm shift back to where we were.'”

Matthews pointed out that, “Cassidy Robinson doesn’t waste water or time growing a lawn in his Twin Falls backyard. He grows food.

“‘I would rather grow functional landscape,’ the 33-year-old said.”

This week’s article added that, “Twin Falls’ restrictions are too narrow for Robinson’s dreams, but some cities are loosening their codes to allow some farm animals.

“Consider Chicago. Modern Farmer calls the Windy City ‘the only large urban area in the country that never explicitly outlawed the rearing of farm animals.’ Chicago is now using farming to rejuvenate 11,000 abandoned lots in its South Side, part of its Green Healthy Neighborhoods initiative.

“Seattle has allowed residents to keep goats, sheep, cows and horses since 2010, which city leaders declared the Year of Urban Agriculture. One animal is allowed per 10,000 square feet.

“And Somerville, Mass., a suburb of Boston, was one of the first to embrace urban homesteading. Boston was soon to follow.”

The Idaho Statesman article indicated that, “Austin, Texas, not only allows chickens, it even pays residents a $75 rebate to attend its chicken maintenance courses and keep chicken coops in their backyards. It’s part of the city’s goal to eliminate waste.

“The city of nearly 1 million hopes to reduce waste that goes to a landfill by 90 percent, spokeswoman Memi Cardenas said. A recent city survey revealed that 45 percent of what was going into the landfill is compostable, while much of the rest is recyclable.”

The Associated Press reported yesterday that, “Members of Maine’s agriculture industry and state government fear the possibility of losing blueberry growers due to a depression in prices that has made growing the beloved crop a less reliable way to make a living.

“Wild blueberries are a Maine tradition on par with lobsters and lighthouses, but prices to farmers have plunged from nearly a dollar a pound (0.45 kilogram) in 2011 to around 25 to 30 cents per pound (0.45 kilogram) last year. The number of farmers and acreages is holding steady, but other measures show a decline in effort on farms, state officials said.

“For example, bees are imported to Maine to pollinate blueberry fields, and the number of beehives coming into the state declined by about 20 percent from 2015 to 2016, said David Yarborough, a horticulture professor at the University of Maine.”

The AP article noted that, “Industry members said they are likely looking at another year of low prices, and some farmers are using less of their fields in anticipation of a tough summer.”

Yesterday’s article added that, “Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, has submitted a state budget proposal that would use $2.5 million in state money to market agricultural products such as blueberries. He and others have said the state needs to find new buyers for the blueberries to try to spur demand and buoy prices. State officials say wild blueberry growers in Washington and Hancock counties, the heart of blueberry country, are seeing annual losses of $70 million.”

Over the weekend, the editorial board at the Omaha World-Herald indicated that, “Craft breweries have been springing up dramatically across Nebraska in recent years. In 2011, 17 microbreweries were operating in the state. The current total is 48.

A news release last week from the University of Missouri Extension Service stated that, “Registration is open for a free July 20 workshop to help beginning farmers, ranchers and veterans learn about resources offered by state and federal agencies.

“University of Missouri Extension sponsors the workshop with funding from the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach through a grant to help to help veterans, Latinos and socially disadvantaged beginning farmers and ranchers.

“‘Understanding the Alphabet Soup of USDA‘ starts 9 a.m. on July 20 at the MU Southwest Research Center, says MU Extension agriculture business specialist Jim Spencer.”

The University of Missouri update noted that, “Participants will discuss operational orders such as a business and marketing plan, case studies and more. A free lunch is served. Register by contacting Spencer at 417-581-3558 or spencerjr@missouri.edu. You may also register at the MU Extension Center in Christian County, 105 N. Second St., Ozark, MO 65271. Interested participants may also contact their local FSA office.”

A news release today from USDA stated that, “Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that USDA is awarding four loans to help provide broadband service in rural portions of California, Illinois, Iowa and Texas.

“‘Too many rural areas still lack access to robust, affordable broadband services that can create jobs and boost rural economies,’ Perdue said. ‘These broadband infrastructure investments will connect rural communities to a digital future and will help expand access to high-speed internet, health care, educational and business services in rural communities.’

“Perdue announced the broadband loans after celebrating Infrastructure Week with President Trump in Cincinnati yesterday. He is meeting with the White House Infrastructure Council today.”

Today’s update added that, “Illinois’ Viola Home Telephone Co. will use a $3.3 million loan to construct 104 miles of fiber cable and provide supporting equipment to deliver enhanced telecommunications services to its rural subscribers.

“USDA is providing these loans through Rural Development’s Telecommunications Program. This program funds infrastructure and equipment to deliver broadband and distance learning and telemedicine services throughout rural America.”