Author

Adam Goldstein

Adam Goldstein

Adam Goldstein was the D.C. Bureau intern for States Newsroom. Goldstein was a graduate student at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, studying digital reporting. He is originally from San Francisco, and loves swimming, cooking, and the San Francisco 49ers.

The U.S. is undergoing its worst bird flu outbreak ever. Is a poultry vaccine the answer?

By: - May 15, 2023

WASHINGTON — The deadliest outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history is prompting growing concern in Congress, and Department of Agriculture researchers are awaiting the preliminary results of four trials of vaccines for poultry. Some lawmakers are warming to the idea of a vaccination campaign, long considered a fringe idea due to the cost and […]

Rural lenders, crop insurance agents push for bolstered safety net at farm bill hearing

By: - May 5, 2023

WASHINGTON — Rural bank executives and crop insurance agents testified at a Thursday Senate hearing in support of a modernized crop insurance market that helps upstart producers manage growing risks, and supports food security.  The witnesses told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry that crop insurance represents one of the most important financial […]

A drip sprinkler system feeds barley in a farm at Monte Vista.

Agriculture leaders urge a stronger farm safety net at U.S. Senate farm bill hearing

By: - May 3, 2023

WASHINGTON — Farm and commodity trade association leaders lobbied for updating commodity programs and strengthening crop insurance programs at a Tuesday hearing of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry committee.  The industry officials said federal crop insurance and the Department of Agriculture’s Price Loss Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage programs are not serving as […]

A pandemic experiment in universal free school meals gains traction in the states

By: - April 24, 2023

WASHINGTON —  Every public school kid in the United States was eligible for free school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of family income, thanks to the federal government. While that’s now ended, a growing number of states across the country are enacting universal school meal laws to bolster child food security and academic equity. […]

two brown bulls approach the camera from light tan grass, as a blue sky hangs above them

Native American agricultural leaders detail farm bill priorities at U.S. Senate hearing

By: - March 27, 2023

WASHINGTON — A roundtable of Native American agricultural leaders at a recent U.S. Senate hearing lobbied for increased sovereignty and social justice in the coming farm bill by expanding tribes’ jurisdiction over U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. It’s called “638” authority and refers to Public Law 93-638, which gives tribes the power to manage certain […]

Limits on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland gain support in Congress, despite skepticism

By: - March 20, 2023

WASHINGTON — Bipartisan momentum is building in Congress to restrict China and other foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. farmland, a reflection of a similar push by some states as well as apprehension over Chinese spy balloons, rising land prices and growing international competition.  “Foreign ownership of agricultural land threatens small family farms and the overall […]

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack illustrates the challenges American farmers are facing with land consolidation and declining returns at the National Farmers Union conference in San Francisco on March 6, 2023. (Photo courtesy National Farmers Union)

U.S. agriculture secretary unveils initiatives aimed at small and midsized operations

By: - March 7, 2023

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday announced new steps the Department of Agriculture is taking to recenter U.S. agriculture and benefit small and midsized operations, including a proposed new “Product of USA” labeling rule and an $89 million expansion of the USDA intermediary lending program.  At the National Farmers Union conference in San Francisco, […]

Irrigation water sinks into pecan groves on the Texas-New Mexico border.

U.S. House Ag panel hears industry complaints on regulations, scant crop insurance

By: - March 1, 2023

WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee listened to agribusiness executives on Tuesday rail against federal regulations, and lobby for new markets and reinforced crop insurance programs in the panel’s first hearing of the new Congress.  With the 2018 farm bill expiring this fall, lawmakers who will shape the next version of the […]

A drip sprinkler system feeds barley in a farm at Monte Vista.

Market innovation a path to economic equity in farming, Vilsack tells ag conference

By: - February 24, 2023

WASHINGTON – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged the private sector and government officials to address inequity and promote innovation in what he called a “pivotal moment” in the nation’s history at an industry conference Thursday. In the opening session of the 99th USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, Vilsack said new income streams and markets will […]

USDA aims to boost independent meat packers with $59 million in grants

By: - February 22, 2023

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture beefed up its efforts to encourage competition in domestic meat and poultry supply chains on Tuesday, awarding close to $59 million in federal grants to independent processors from Idaho, Virginia, South Carolina, South Dakota and Maryland. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the funding awards during a trip to […]

State ag officials push for on-time farm bill to fund slew of programs

By: - February 20, 2023

WASHINGTON – State agriculture officials from across the country sought this month to remind a new crop of lawmakers in Congress of their states’ needs for a robust farm bill to address a host of food issues. Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture gathered in Washington for their annual winter meeting […]

Cans of beans line the shelves at a grocery store.

U.S. Senate panel spars over elevated food assistance spending in upcoming farm bill

By: - February 17, 2023

WASHINGTON – Members of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee split along party lines on Thursday as they tussled over financial accountability in farm bill nutrition programs.  The main point of contention was the Department of Agriculture’s 2021 changes to the Thrifty Food Plan, one of four food plans the USDA develops to […]