Last spring there was a lot of press attention paid to a world food crisis brought about partially by skyrocketing grain and food prices. Since the first of this year, however, there has been very little attention paid to global hunger problems. Even so, several experts say last year's food crisis is still going on and could get significantly worse in 2009, due in part to the recession. On this edition of AGRICULTURE USA Gary Crawford takes a look at the next impending world food crisis.
PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Joe Glauber, USDA Chief Economist. Christopher Delgado , advisor with the World Bank's Agriculture and Rural Development Department. Stacey Rosen, USDA world food analyst.
The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and the Virginia Department of Agriculture has teamed up to get DC area restaurants to buy their food products closer to home. Susan Carter reports.
PARTICIPANTS: Susan Carter, Virginia Department of Agriculture's Catherine Cash, Lamb Famer Robert Clements, Cheese Producer Gale Hobbs-Page, Executive Chef Tom Miller and Restaurant Owner Oren Molovinsky
A gene carrying calcium in plants can be modified to enhance calcium levels in foods such as carrots and apples. Rod Bain explains the significance from a nutrition standpoint in this report.
PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Kendel Hirschi of the Children's Nutrition Research Center
The energy saving and home weatherization programs in the stimulus bill will generate jobs and help save money for consumers. Gary Crawford has more.
PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. President Barack Obama. Kansas State University extension home energy expert.
March is National Nutrition Month and health and fitness experts are encouraging people to change their eating habits and exercise regime for the better. Susan Carter reports from USDA headquarters in Washington, DC.
PARTICIPANTS: Susan Carter and Janet Tenney, an agricultural marketing nutritionist
Public comment takes place until March 25th on a proposed initiative to expand broadband services into rural and underserved areas. Rod Bain looks at the timeline for this initiative in this report.
PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain, Secretary Tom Vilsack, Michael Copps and Scott Deutchman of Federal Communications Commission, Bernadette McGuire-Rivera of NTIA, Rick Wade of Department of Commerce
Sesame Street and the National WIC Association have teamed up for a new campaign to promote healthy food options among children and families and to encourage them to make healthy habits a part of their daily routine.
PARTICIPANTS: Susan Carter, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and National WIC Association President Margaret Saunders
A farm implement designed and field tested by USDA researchers in Alabama could help reduce nutrient runoff in row crops fields where poultry litter is applied as a fertilizer. Rod Bain reports.
PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Thomas Way of the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory
A recent USDA study revealed how farms with annual sales of one million dollars are impacting agriculture now and into the future. Rod Bain reports.
PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and economist Robert Hoppe
Cotton production, consumption and income prospects are all in retreat as the global recession takes its toll. How long will it last? Gary Crawford has more.
PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA cotton analyst Steven Neff, and Wally Darneille - President of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association.
This year may be the toughest dairy in recent memory for dairy producers. The news keeps getting worse. Gary Crawford has this report.
PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA economist Roger Hoskin. Don Street, President of Ecoval Dairy Trade, Inc.
A variety of USDA programs and services are covered under the first in a series of announced funding measures connected to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Rod Bain has details in this report.
PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack
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