ACROSS THE NATION
California: In this farm bill year, a certain California city has become a hotbed of grassroots activism directed at farm bill reform. From their notable advocates for reform, to their home-town newspaper’s reform-minded coverage, San Francisco is doing their part to stand up for the future of family farming and rural communities. These California residents understand that when family farms and rural communities prosper, all of America prospers.
Mississippi: Christmas tree farmers in Mississippi have witnessed a precipitous drop in business over the last decade. Once nearly an $8 million a year business for the state, this year’s harvest is expected to bring in just $1.6 million. The number of Christmas tree farmers has likewise declined. It seems consumers prefer the ease of the plastic tree, and when they do spring for a real tree it is likely to be a precut tree, often from a large, out-of-state supplier.
Florida: Much of the nation has been plagued by recent drought, leaving farmers in a number of states searching for water. The latest comes from Florida where the current drought is estimated to have caused nearly $1 billion in agricultural related losses in the state.
Iowa: For more than a decade the proliferation of large livestock facilities has been a hot button issue in the state. State regulations of the industrial facilities leave much to be desired, and today factory livestock facilities have all but replaced the family livestock farmer.
Now, family farm advocates have their eyes set on the next legislative session, and although reformers have struggled to gain a foothold in the past, the grassroots movement for reform continues to build.
Minnesota: In an encouraging turn of events, Governor Tim Pawlenty has put forth an economic development plan for the state that includes support for small, entrepreneurial business. The program could bring needed resources to entrepreneurs in rural parts of the state. The state Legislature will weigh in next.
Tennessee: Like much of the South, the number of acres of cotton is falling in Tennessee where the preferred replacement crop this year was corn. Tennessee has not grown as many acres of corn as it did this year in over 20 years.
Contact: Brian Depew, by email at briand@cfra.org or by phone at 402.687.2103 x 1015 for more information.
Mississippi: Christmas tree farmers in Mississippi have witnessed a precipitous drop in business over the last decade. Once nearly an $8 million a year business for the state, this year’s harvest is expected to bring in just $1.6 million. The number of Christmas tree farmers has likewise declined. It seems consumers prefer the ease of the plastic tree, and when they do spring for a real tree it is likely to be a precut tree, often from a large, out-of-state supplier.
Florida: Much of the nation has been plagued by recent drought, leaving farmers in a number of states searching for water. The latest comes from Florida where the current drought is estimated to have caused nearly $1 billion in agricultural related losses in the state.
Iowa: For more than a decade the proliferation of large livestock facilities has been a hot button issue in the state. State regulations of the industrial facilities leave much to be desired, and today factory livestock facilities have all but replaced the family livestock farmer.
Now, family farm advocates have their eyes set on the next legislative session, and although reformers have struggled to gain a foothold in the past, the grassroots movement for reform continues to build.
Minnesota: In an encouraging turn of events, Governor Tim Pawlenty has put forth an economic development plan for the state that includes support for small, entrepreneurial business. The program could bring needed resources to entrepreneurs in rural parts of the state. The state Legislature will weigh in next.
Tennessee: Like much of the South, the number of acres of cotton is falling in Tennessee where the preferred replacement crop this year was corn. Tennessee has not grown as many acres of corn as it did this year in over 20 years.
Contact: Brian Depew, by email at briand@cfra.org or by phone at 402.687.2103 x 1015 for more information.
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