skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, April 3, 2025

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

'Fair likelihood' Trump administration violated court order, judge says; ME federal workers rally against Trump order to end labor protections; VA military members face outsized impacts as consumer watchdog agency dismantled; OH environmental group fears federal cuts will hurt job opportunities.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The administration stands behind its tariffs, despite declines in markets. Advocates nationwide push back against federal rollbacks affecting military families, and the environment and big budget plans advance in Congress.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The proposed dismantling of the Depart. of Education has rural schools scared, postal carriers say USPS changes will hurt rural communities most, fiber networks to improve internet may be supplanted by Musk's satellites, and it's time to PLAY BALL!

Colorado Farmers Headed to Washington in Advance of Farm Bill

play audio
Play

Monday, February 6, 2023   

Farmers and ranchers from Colorado and across the U.S. are headed to Washington, D.C., this week in hopes of transforming the 2023 Farm Bill.

Mike Callicrate, owner of Ranch Foods Direct in Colorado Springs, said previous farm bills have been at odds with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's own dietary recommendations. He pointed out the lion's share of farm subsidies do not help grow food people eat. They help grow commodities that can be used to create more profitable but less healthy processed foods.

"And so at the same time as USDA is promoting more fruits and vegetables and healthier food going into our diets, we support something entirely different," Callicrate contended.

The USDA recommends a diet of 50% fruits and vegetables, but only 4% of farm subsidies support their production. Big agribusiness has long had Congress' ear when it comes to structuring the Farm Bill, and the Food Not Feed Summit, set for Tuesday, hopes to amplify concerns of family farmers, workers, health and nutrition experts and faith-based and animal welfare groups.

Callicrate argued part of the farm bill should support local and regional food systems paying farmers a fair price for bringing healthy foods directly to consumers, which can strengthen rural economies. He believes the Farm Bill should benefit the people on the land who take the risk, and do the work of producing food.

"The whole attitude of USDA has been for a long time, 'Get big, or get out,' " Callicrate emphasized. "All of that is to the benefit of the biggest corporations who have financialized and industrialized our food system to capture the wealth that's created by that farmer and rancher."

Nearly eight in 10 Americans said the production of healthy, sustainable food for people should be prioritized over producing feed for livestock, according to a recent survey.

But Callicrate explained the USDA continues to direct farm subsidies to commodities used to produce things like high fructose corn syrup and feed for livestock, using tax dollars to keep costs artificially low for Big Ag.

"Much of it goes to the livestock," Callicrate stressed. "But the thing is, whether it goes to livestock or goes into commodity value-added further production, we're still feeding the corporation. We're feeding corporations, we're not feeding family farmers and people."


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Since March 8, the Trump administration has attempted to arrest or deport at least six additional pro-Palestinian foreign students across four campuses, including Columbia, Cornell, Georgetown and Tufts universities. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

UPDATE: A statement about the arrest from the University of Cincinnati has been added. (8:10 a.m. MDT, Apr. 3, 2025) A recent arrest on the …


Environment

play sound

A huge offshore wind project is forging ahead off Humboldt Bay in Northern California - and Saturday, elected officials will tour the deepwater port …

Social Issues

play sound

Some Colorado lawmakers are scrambling to protect voter rights after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to require proof of citizenship …


Zay Harding, host of "The Visioneers," examines the future of coastal protection with Kind Designs showcasing 3D-Printing Living Seawalls in Miami. (Screenshot of visioneerstv)

Environment

play sound

A group of Florida middle schoolers is tackling water pollution in an unconventional way - by collecting scientific samples while surfing and skateboa…

Social Issues

play sound

By Chantal Flores for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News Service …

The Uplift Wisconsin warmline offers emotional support for people experiencing distress but not in immediate danger, different from a hotline designed for immediate crisis intervention and urgent support. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

"Uplift Wisconsin" is just one of the latest casualties from a $210 million cut in federal health funds to the state. The "warmline" operates seven …

Social Issues

play sound

A Montana legislative committee this week heard a bill to revise workers' compensation laws. Among opponents were workers who have navigated the …

Social Issues

play sound

As many Minnesotans dig out from an early Spring snowstorm, the future of a federal program that helps low-income households pay their heating bills …

 

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