Does it make you nervous, as a reporter at a farm publication, talking about climate change? All the time. I feel like the guy who has to tell people things they don't want to hear. But if I simply ignore the topic or ignore the issues, am I doing anybody any favors?You decided to write a book on climate change during a Farm Bureau convention in 2011, when you were hearing lots of climate change skepticism.Oddly enough, we were at a convention in Atlanta, where a freak ice storm shut us in. [node:read-more:link]

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest public school district in the country, has launched a pilot program to test plant-based vegan options for its school lunches during the 2017-2018 school year. LAUSD board members last month approved a resolution developed by freshman Lila Copeland, who is youth director of the nonprofit group Earth Peace, according to a news release issued by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which helped her develop the proposal.Dr. Neal Barnard, PCRM board president, helped make the case to LAUSD leaders and, along with Dr. [node:read-more:link]

A Brazilian court issued an injunction to freeze BRL800 million (US$246 million) in the banking accounts of JBS' controlling shareholder Joesley Batista on Tuesday, in reference to alleged gains obtained in the foreign currency market hours before his plea bargain deal revealing a bribery scheme was made public. [node:read-more:link]

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced over $1 million for seven research, promotion, and development projects to strengthen New York State's diverse agricultural industry and spur economic growth across the state. The funding, approved by the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority, supports the continuation of malting barley research, enhances the processing capacity at a regional food hub, and assists with renovations to the New York Wine and Culinary Center, among other initiatives. [node:read-more:link]

The U.S. power sector consumed 677 million short tons of coal last year, the lowest level since 1984, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported.That was a 35 percent decline from 2008, when coal demand in the power sector hit its peak.The fall comes not only as natural gas, wind turbines and solar panels take on increasing shares of the U.S. [node:read-more:link]

Cargill has acquired Colombia-based Pollos El Bucanero S.A.(Bucanero Chicken), one of Colombia’s leading producers of chicken and processed meats products. The acquisition marks Cargill’s first introduction of its global protein business into Colombia. Pollos Bucanero has more than 30 years of experience and its products are the preferred choice of food service companies and retailers in multiple regions of Colombia. [node:read-more:link]

Homeowners use a lot of pesticides. Statistics show that homeowners use three times more pesticides per acre than commercial agriculture producers. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service estimates the number to be even higher; their reports claim pesticide use in lawns is 10 times higher than in commercial agriculture.Though not quite ready to ditch the bug and weed killers, homeowners are seeking alternatives to conventional pesticides. Many homeowners are turning to organic pesticides due to the growing perception that these pesticides are safer. [node:read-more:link]

There’s big growth in a different direction for Deere & Company: But the move, a release from the company states, could help diversify and solidify their business. The manufacturer is buying the Wirtgen Group, a privately-held international company that is the world’s leading manufacturer of road construction equipment, the release from Deere states.The total transaction value is about $5.2 billion. [node:read-more:link]

Raw milk is illegal or highly regulated in most of the country. Are the health benefits worth the risks of the underground raw milk market? So what’s the appeal? Is raw milk really worth breaking the law for? It depends who you ask. The Weston A. [node:read-more:link]

I've just come back from a trip to Europe.Every single European I talked to -- on discovering I live in the US -- wanted to talk about one thing. Well, one person.I tried to offer reassurance, explanation, uplift or even incomprehension when it came to their concerns about my Uncle Samuel. It's still odd, though, what people over there think of people over here.Which leads me, painfully, to McDonald's. [node:read-more:link]