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Saturday, February 15, 2025

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Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come; NYC music school teachers strike after union negotiations break down; Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month; Health experts recommend sunshine, socializing to cure 'winter blues.'

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Sustainable Agriculture and Farming

The most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture, from 2022, reported 79% of all farms in Utah are small and family owned, with annual incomes of less than $350,000. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

'Factory farming' and the true cost of a burger

The The New York Times and Washington Post are getting pushback for recent editorials defending large-scale factory farms. Some environmental groups …

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The Environmental Protection Agency said excess nitrogen and phosphorus cause an overgrowth of algae in lakes and if algal blooms occur, the toxins they produce can be harmful to human health and aquatic life. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

15 years in the making, MN could set nitrate standards for lakes

Minnesota is giving its water quality standards a fresh look. With public input in their hands, officials are under pressure to add language about …

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Farmed seafood products make up half of the world's seafood supply, but U.S. production lags, leading to a $16.9 billion seafood deficit in the United States in 2020, according to NOAA. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Monday, February 10, 2025

Industrial aquaculture poised to grow under second Trump administration

The Trump administration aims to increase domestic seafood production through industrial aquaculture but opponents said it puts Maine's coastal commun…

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Researchers from the Center for a Livable Future at Maryland's Johns Hopkins University looked at fisheries in Alaska, Norway and Vietnam to explore sustainable practices for fish byproducts. (Adobe Stock)
Leftover fish parts could help keep industrial fishing waste low

About 20% of fish caught in the wild are not used to feed people across the world but a recent study found the unused portions of fish prepared for th…

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Depictions on food marketing often do not reflect actual conditions for cows and other animals being raised in factory farms. (We Animals)

Monday, February 10, 2025

Despite advertising, North Carolina's factory farms are not pretty places

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

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People living within many miles of industrial swine operations feel the effects of ammonia pollution. (lightpoet/Adobe Stock)
Study shows air quality disparities from industrial ag in NC

The negative effects on air quality from industrialized animal facilities in North Carolina stick around for a long time, according to a new study…

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Smart agriculture began to emerge in the United States in the early 2000s, with the introduction of GPS technology, sensors and automated systems. (Kaspars Grinvalds/Adobe Stock)
MI professor spotlights 'smart agriculture'

Some experts predict arable land per person will shrink by two-thirds by 2050. To combat it, Michigan students are being trained in "smart" …

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Proponents of factory farms argued moving millions of livestock off pastures and into high-density operations, where in many cases animals cannot even move around, conserves valuable farmland. (Adobe Stock).
Factory farm advocates’ blind spot on food system reforms

Recent editorials in The New York Times and Washington Post defending factory farms make one critical mistake, according to environmental advocates: …

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Nearly half of U.S. adults said it was at least somewhat hard for them to regularly obtain and eat nutritious foods, and 54% agreed the nation is not making enough progress in making nutritious food accessible and affordable, according to a 2024 survey from Research!America and the American Heart Association. (Adobe Stock)
Revive SNAP Stretch, WV growers, consumers urge

Food advocates are calling on lawmakers to help jump-start the state's SNAP Stretch program, which was paused last year due to budget constraints…

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We Don't Waste serves more than 100 hunger relief organizations across Denver, and has so far saved 220 million servings of food. (Galatas)
Denver nonprofit tackles food waste, hunger

By Taylor Haelterman for Triple Pundit.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-P…

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Activist Zoe Rosenberg removed four chickens from Perdue's Petaluma Poultry farm and brought them to a veterinarian for medical treatment. (Direct Action Everywhere)
Trial ahead for CA animal activist accused of trespassing, theft, conspiracy

An animal activist is speaking out ahead of her trial in May - accused of trespassing, theft and conspiracy after a protest at a poultry …

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Researchers in industries from food production to textiles to technology are using microbes to make products like bioplastics, biofuel, metals and animal feed. (Adobe Stock)
WI researchers use microbes to transform wastewater

By Carolyn Beans for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reportin…

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