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Disappearing Grasslands are No Joke
We wish this opinion piece in Ethanol Producer magazine was actually written for April Fool’s Day. Mike Bryan, CEO of BBI Biofuels, criticizes a recent study by researchers at South Dakota State University, which found that more than 1.3 million acres… Read more >
Drought, Fire and Freeze: Lawmakers Consider Impacts of Extreme Weather on Agriculture
The votes are in and the winner for Most Arresting Title for a Senate Committee Hearing goes to the Agriculture Committee for yesterday’s hearing, “Drought, Fire and Freeze: The Economics of Disasters for America’s Agricultural Producers.” But seriously folks, I… Read more >
Super Bowl Ad Sparks Interest in the Role of Farmers Today
Besides the rare opportunity to see the Ravens win, the Super Bowl is always worth watching because you never know what you’re going to see. For me the highlight of the night wasn’t the Ravens, or even the Destiny’s Child reunion. I… Read more >
Lessons of the Dust Bowl
“We were too selfish and we were trying to make money. It didn’t work out.” – Dust Bowl Survivor quoted in Ken Burns’s documentary, The Dust Bowl Wednesday night, I attended an early preview of Ken Burns’ documentary, The Dust… Read more >
Congress Fails Farmers and Wildlife (Updated)
The 2012 Farm Bill, or lack thereof, has been ubiquitous in news media over the last few months. Opinions and perspectives on the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill are diverse and complicated; that isn’t surprising, considering that this… Read more >
Don’t Farm Naked
Plant Cover Crops When most people think about fighting climate change, they think about driving less, using wind power, or protecting carbon sinks like the rainforest. However, cover crops are a farm practice that sequester carbon, improve water quality and… Read more >
Calling on Wildlife Fans in Texas and Oklahoma
On July 11th, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and member K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) tried to make the argument that the states of Texas and Oklahoma should be exempt from a provision that would limit federal subsidies to… Read more >
Anything is Possible for Those Who Try
Before I worked for National Wildlife Federation, I was an analytical chemist at a private laboratory. Every day I was presented with a new challenge. Often, I had to find a way to do something that I believed couldn’t be… Read more >
Support Energy Programs in the 2012 Farm Bill
Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and several cosponsors introduced a bill in the House that would provide considerable support for renewable energy in the 2012 Farm Bill. The Rural Energy Investment Act, which is cosponsored by 16 other members, would… Read more >
How many grassland animals do you know?
Last week the 2012 Farm Bill began its long journey through Congress in the Senate Agriculture Committee, where it passed 16-5. While we think it is a good starting place, there are still critical protections for wildlife that are missing…. Read more >
