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Pain from the grain

Record corn production combined with no increase in demand and a leveled-off ethanol market have led to the lowest prices for corn in six years. And it’s not just corn …

Is the era of junk-food passing?

“Big Food” has fallen on hard times. Conglomerate Conagra (among its brands are Hunts, Orville Redenbacher, and Chef Boyardee) recently cut its profit projections. Kraft (its brands include Oscar Mayer, …

U.S. ag census data: most farms are small

Background: Every five years, the USDA conducts a Census of Agriculture. (This is twice as often as the U.S. Census). The data collected in the ag census is used for …

U.S. farm size may grow at faster pace as farmers age

Information for this piece came via Chuck Abbott of the Food and Environment Reporting Network (FERN).   Background: Agricultural Economic Insights: Perspectives of Two Agricultural Economists is a blog written …

Imagining a future without Florida oranges

Florida’s citrus industry is in a sharp decline, and it’s causing both economic and cultural angst in the Sunshine State. Orange production has dropped 63% in the last ten years, …

Food versus forest

The World Economic Forum is being held in Davos, Switzerland. A Huff Post Live segment entitled “Food Versus Forest” featuring thought leaders Anna Lappe, Roger Thurow, and Tom Philpott addresses …

Bee economy is local and global

We are fascinated with bees. Honey bees are essential for the pollination of many fruit, nut, vegetable, and seed crops. The value is placed at $15 billion annually in the …