The Soil Science Society of America created a blog, Soils Matter, to help the public understand this precious natural resource. “We know that many people are interested in soils,” says Jan Hopmans, president of SSSA. “We wanted to create a blog so our members can communicate real soil information and answer questions.” The blog is averaging about 2,500 page views … Read More
5 Reasons to “Root” for Soil Health Farmers
To meet the growing sustainability challenges of the 21st Century, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is reminding people that many of the solutions are right at our feet — in the soil. Here are the top five reasons NRCS says why on Earth Day 2014 you should “root” for soil health farmers: 5. A lot of people are coming … Read More
NCGA Supports Federal GMO Labeling Legislation
The National Corn Growers Association announced its support for legislation introduced at a press conference today that would establish a federal standard for the safety and labeling of food and beverage products made with genetically modified ingredients. “The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act provides certainty for both consumers and farmers alike by creating a unified, science-based approach to labeling … Read More
Iowa Corn Promotion Board Receives U.S. Patent
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board is the recipient of a newly issued patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This is the first U.S. patent that the Board has received for its work in nitrogen use efficiency in corn and related to transgenic plants that have increased nitrogen use efficiency, and/or increased yield using a patented gene. Specifically, patent … Read More
NCGA Joins REAP Initiative as Founding Partner
At the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), the ATIP Foundation (Agricultural Technology Innovation Partnership) has established a public-private partnership to enhance research on sustainable soil health for multiple land uses in agriculture. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has joined USDA and ATIP along with four other founding partners of … Read More
Midwest Region of US Boasts Photosynthetic Activity
Data from satellite sensors show that during the Northern Hemisphere’s growing season, the Midwest region of the United States boasts more photosynthetic activity than any other spot on Earth, according to NASA and university scientists. Recent research from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., demonstrated that fluorescence from plants could be teased out of data from existing … Read More
NRCS New Web Pages Meet Modern Farmers Needs
For generations, children have been singing about the farmer, his wife and kids, and even the mouse and the cheese. But today, a modern farmer is more likely to be using the mouse on his computer (or more realistically, a smartphone or tablet) than dancing around a small wooded valley with his family and farm animals. The website of USDA’s … Read More
Land Trusts Converging on Washington
Land trust leaders from across the country are converging on Capitol Hill on April 2 to educate and engage Congressional members on key land conservation issues that support the nation in securing local economic sustainability, fresh food, clean water, places to recreate, and keeping family farms in the family, during the third annual Land Trust Advocacy Day sponsored by the … Read More
Great Lakes Tackle Cover Crops
Keeping crop fields covered between growing seasons for corn, soybeans and other cash crops can help improve water quality by keeping nutrients on the farm, a collaborative project led by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) demonstrated. The Great Lakes Cover Crop Initiative (GLCCI), promoted cover crops and conservation farming systems to crop producers in the Lake Erie, Lake Huron … Read More
Expert Habitat Advice Provided to Land Managers
Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Robert Bonnie, announced today a renewed and expanded partnership to provide expert habitat advice to farmers and ranchers managing land within lesser prairie-chicken range. “Our goal is to deliver a win-win for agricultural producers and wildlife,” said Bonnie. “We want to help farmers and ranchers succeed for the long term while also … Read More