Jonathan Knutson / Agweek Staff Writer
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Your definition, please No two agriculturalists view or define sustainability in exactly the same way. If you'd like to share your thoughts , we'd be happy to share them at www.facebook.com/Agweekmagazine/ . Send your definition of no more than 100 words, along with your name and hometown, to Jonathan Knutson at jknutson@agweek.com , by April 30. ........... Important topic draws differing views
Concern about farmer suicide is growing, and agriculturalists and people living in rural communities have a vital role in addressing the problem, a farm stress expert says. "Be a good neighbor. Be aware of how your neighbors are doing — physically, mentally and socially. And if they show any warning signs, help connect them with the resources that can help," said Sean Brotherson, North Dakota State University Extension Service family science specialist. His areas of interest include family stress and rural life.
"Excuse me," I told the supermarket cashier. "You rang up that squash at $1.99 a pound. The sign said $1.29." "This is organic. It's $1.99," she said. "Then somebody stocked it in the conventional section," I said. "Well, I'm not paying 70 cents more for organic. I'm not paying anything more for organic." Please, don't send irate emails if you're an organic supporter. Though I won't spend extra for organic, I'm not anti-organic. Not at all.
Federal crop insurance in its current form is hurting family farms, the land and rural communities, while benetting big insurance companies, according to a new report from the Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project.
Gerald Stokka wasn't quite sure what to expect when he traveled to Washington, D.C., recently to take part in one stage of the Pew Charitable Trusts' "Supermoms Against Superbugs" initiative. But Stokka, North Dakota State University extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist, said the Feb. 27-March 1 event — in which parents, doctors and agriculturalists met with policymakers and shared their perspective on the growing threat on antibiotic resistance — was both positive and encouraging.
NEKOMA, N.D. — It's November — a Friday, late afternoon — in Nekoma, population "26 on a good day." Snowflakes dance in the chill breeze before settling to the ground. From as far as 60 miles away, people are leaving their farms, homes and businesses to drive through the dusk over snow-covered roads. They want food and drink. They want camaraderie and companionship. And they know it's all waiting for them here at the Pain Reliever.
Q: What is the Land Stewardship Project? The Land Stewardship Project is a membership organization of about 4,000 households, primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It works through members to foster an ethic of land stewardship, to promote sustainable agriculture and build healthy communities. Q: What do you raise on your own farm?
Editor's note: Jonathan Knutson received a fellowship from the North American Ag Journalists to attend the Society of Environmental Journalists' recent annual convention in Pittsburgh. He is not a member of the group. PITTSBURGH — Andrew Dessler compares current public debate over climate change to the long-concluded debate over smoking.
PITTSBURGH — Understanding the U.S. farm bill isn't easy even for full-time agriculturalists. Journalists with limited exposure to ag may face an even greater challenge. But three veteran agricultural journalists, with extensive experience in covering the farm bill, have some insights that can make the task a little less difficult.
GRAND FORKS—It may be one the most colorful images in U.S. agriculture: A tense group of farmers, bunched in a room, bidding energetically against their neighbors to buy land. But that scene has become less common in parts of Agweek Country, particularly northeast North Dakota. The Grand Forks office of Farmers National Company hasn't held a public auction since late 2014, says Jayson Menke, who works in real estate sales in the office.