skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Meta to end fact-checking program ahead of Trump term; Task force tackles Oregon's hospital 'boarding' problem; Teton park acquires addition after widespread, multiyear effort; Ohio funding gaps leave Adams County kids in crisis.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Vice President Harris emphasizes the fragility of democracy, public health advocates debate RFK Jr.'s cabinet nomination, election denialism persists, Trump faces legal challenges, and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau announces his resignation.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The humble peanut got its '15 minutes of fame' when Jimmy Carter was President, America's rural households are becoming more racially diverse but language barriers still exist, farmers brace for another trade war, and coal miners with black lung get federal help.

Farmers Want USDA to Buy Unused Products During Crisis

play audio
Play

Wednesday, April 15, 2020   

MADISON, Wis. -- Some Wisconsin farmers are faced with the prospect of dumping their products amid a steep drop in demand during the pandemic. That's prompting calls for action from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that food isn't wasted and that farmers can get some financial help.

This was supposed to be a rebound year for dairy farmers after several "down" years. However, Kara O'Connor, Wisconsin Farmers Union government relations director, said they're now sitting on product that can't go to restaurants and other customers shut down by the crisis. She said federal ag officials could help by buying up commodity products such as butter and cheese, and seeing that they're used.

"We can do some things to take the kink out of the hose," she said, "and buying surplus dairy products for donation is one of those things."

O'Connor said they also want regulators to provide incentives for farmers to scale back production. The request for the USDA to redirect surplus goods comes amid reports of long lines at food banks around the country. The agency is expected soon to announce a plan for how it will spend some of the initial agriculture relief money approved by Congress.

Meanwhile, farmers are encouraged to research resources that offer guidance on ways to get their products into the hands of people who'll take it. Margaret Krome, government-relations director at the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, said there's a lot of innovation out there.

"There are farmers and community groups, agencies -- all working to help farmers access consumers and food pantries that need it, and help farmers find their market." she said.

The Institute has a list of resources for farmers on its website, MichaelFields.org. The groups acknowledge that it isn't easy for farmers to quickly change their production facilities to serve new customers. That's another area in which they say policymakers can provide help.

The letter is online at dairyforward.com.

Disclosure: Michael Fields Agricultural Institute contributes to our fund for reporting on Hunger/Food/Nutrition, Rural/Farming, Sustainable Agriculture. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Former President Jimmy Carter had last volunteered for Habitat for Humanity at age 95, just five years before his passing on Dec. 29, 2024. (Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity)

Social Issues

play sound

As the world continues to reflect on the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter during the nation's memorial observation, his influence has …


Health and Wellness

play sound

Oregonians who are ready to leave the hospital but still require care do not have enough places to go, affecting providers and patients at all levels…

Environment

play sound

By Shi En Kim for Sierra.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Se…


In 2015, New York passed a bill implementing reforms to the Port Authority. But because it is a dual state agency, and the bill did not pass in New Jersey, it never went into effect. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A bill reforming the New York-New Jersey Port Authority is coming back before New York's Legislature. The reforms it would implement date back to …

Environment

play sound

By Rebecca R. Randall for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection reporting for the YES! Media-Public News …

Job stress and poor pay are causing a high turnover rate for counselors at crisis centers handling calls for help from suicidal individuals, according to a report from the National Alliance on Mental Health. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Thousands of calls to Texas suicide hotlines are going unanswered as funding for call centers is millions of dollars short of what advocates said they…

Social Issues

play sound

The number of Colorado families experiencing homelessness rose by 134%, from 3,600 in 2023 to more than 8,500 families in 2024, according to new …

Environment

play sound

The 640-acre Kelly parcel has been in limbo for decades. It sits within the bounds of Grand Teton National Park but has long been owned by the state …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021