Topic: U.S. Department of Agriculture

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Leap Year: this day in the history of Feb. 29

We don’t mean to state the obvious, but Feb. 29 happens once every four years (usually) – and leap year is here again. That means a whole day's worth of news will tomorrow be added to this date's comparatively small archive.
5 invasive species now in retreat

Invasive species are ones that don't naturally occur in an area and may have detrimental effects. Here are some eradication success stories.
Sources: Global Invasive Species Database, International Union for Conservation of Nature, National Cotton Council, US Dept. of Agriculture
Who are Forbes' 10 most powerful women?

Every year, Forbes releases a list of the world’s most powerful woman, influential in everything from politics to technology to culture.
Six major food recalls

Cargill has recalled roughly 36 million pounds of ground turkey products distributed nationwide. How does that compare with past food recalls?
How can Congress cut $2.4 trillion? Here are three places to start.

Finding $2.4 trillion in spending cuts is not easy, but Congress's search is beginning to show some signs of promise. In particular, three programs long protected by big, bipartisan majorities in the past now appear vulnerable.

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Paper Economy
Food stamp use continues to rise

In February, 123,385 recipients were removed from the food stamps program with the current total still increasing 4.81 percent on a year-over-year basis while household participation increased 6.56 percent.
Bake sale ban in Massachusetts sparks outcries over 'food police'

A cookie crackdown? A brownie ban? The time-honored bake sale falls under a new Massachusetts law that limits students' access to junk food before and after school. Aim is to fight obesity, but critics decry a nanny state of 'food police.'
Modern Parenthood
Linda Evangelista suing ex for $46,000 a month in child support

Linda Evangelista is suing her ex-boyfriend for $46,000 a month in child support, money the supermodel says is necessary to provide for her five-year-old son, Augustin. Just how much does it cost to raise a child?
Mad cow: Latest episode raises questions about cattle feed

The riskiest parts of rendered cows aren’t supposed to be fed back to other cows. But they are fed to chickens, whose waste can be fed back to cattle in what one critic calls ‘cow cannibalism.’
Diplomacy flowers with cherry blossoms

At the close of the 100th anniversary celebration of Tokyo's gift of cherry blossoms to Washington, it's worth remembering the story of diplomacy behind the trees. Like most diplomatic initiatives, this one had to overcome indifference, opposition, and many setbacks before it could flower.
Mad Cow just one food safety risk

Experts say bacterial contamination like E. Coli poses a much greater threat of food-borne illness.
Mad cow: US 'confident' beef is safe, food-safety experts aren't sure

This week's incident of 'mad cow' disease presents no threat to human health, USDA officials say. But it does put a spotlight on beef safety practices, including how many cattle are inspected.
Mad cow disease: Big deal abroad. US? Not so much. (+video)

Mad cow disease has hit the US only four times since regulators took steps to control it 15 years ago. Although the latest announcement of mad cow disease may alarm American consumers, the biggest reaction may come from nations that decide to ban US beef.
Diggin' It
How to grow and serve kumquats

A gardener and a chef team up with advice on growing and serving kumquats.
Paper Economy
Food stamp use down in January

In January, 64,307 recipients were removed from the food stamps program, but participation continues to rise on a year over year basis.
Pink slime bankruptcy: After the backlash, what's next for beef?

Pink slime bankruptcy: A major beef processor has declared bankruptcy, citing the backlash against 'pink slime.' The economic fallout from pink slime is just beginning.
Are pesticides responsible for bee deaths? (+video)

Important pollinators, both bumblebees and honeybees have trouble functioning after being exposed to pesticides, two new studies say. Industry experts question several aspects of the work.
'Pink slime': Health crisis or misunderstood meat product?

Pink slime is what critics call 'lean, finely textured beef' – a filler used in ground beef. It's not dangerous, but it's a byproduct that some say should be clearly labeled.
A Bush-era victory in culture wars: faith-based initiatives

Despite federal budget cuts, faith-based initiatives appear to be a Bush victor in the culture wars. Experts say its legacy is that it overcame the cultural resistance to using religious organizations as part of social service delivery.
Obama on Trayvon Martin death: a time of 'soul-searching' for 'all of us' (+video)

President Obama on Friday addressed for the first time the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, saying, 'If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon.' Some decry an 'official national tragedy.'
National grocery chains to stop selling beef containing 'pink slime'

Federal regulators say the filler, known in the industry as 'lean, finely textured beef,' meets food safety standards. But critics say the product could be unsafe and is an unappetizing example of industrialized food production.
'Pink slime' in burgers? A taste test.

'Pink slime,' a mix of leftover beef parts added to ground beef, is creating a stir among food activists. So how does a pink slime burger taste?
Pink slime? Nothing wrong with it in school meals, USDA says.

Pink slime, a controversial ammonium-treated beef, got dumped by McDonald's. But USDA defends purchases of pink slime for use in national school lunch program.
Sherrod firing: emails reveal White House role

The Obama administration has released nearly 2000 pages of documents that document communications between the USDA and the West Wing.
Paper Economy
Economy rebounds, but food stamp use still climbing

227,922 recipients were added to the food stamps program in December 2011 – a 5.52 percent increase since 2010.
Andrew Breitbart, a 'happy warrior,' rallied the right and vexed the left (+video)

Andrew Breitbart, who died Thursday, was one of the most powerful voices of the new conservative media. Often vilified by liberals, Breitbart maintained that he 'enjoyed making enemies.'
Andrew Breitbart, conservative publisher, was powerful, polarizing force

Andrew Breitbart's website, bigjournalism.com, announced his death in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Leap Year: this day in the history of Feb. 29

We don’t mean to state the obvious, but Feb. 29 happens once every four years (usually) – and leap year is here again. That means a whole day's worth of news will tomorrow be added to this date's comparatively small archive.
The Circle Bastiat
Why the food stamp program is a fraud

The federal government vastly overstates the benefits the food stamp program provides low income families – which isn't worth the cost to the taxpayer.
Michelle Obama marks 'Let's Move' milestone with arugula, 'Interlude Dance' (+video)

Michelle Obama started Let's Move to tackle childhood obesity two years ago. Now, she's finishing up a four-state tour to promote the effort – all with a dash of fun thrown in.