Author: staff

Employees at Porpiglia Farms in Upstate New York, led by farm worker Ricardo Bell, are working to remove the United Farm Workers union from representing them. The employees have filed a decertification petition with the New York Public Employment Relations Board, challenging the union’s legitimacy after a “card check” unionization process. Bell is receiving legal assistance from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. New York law requires a card check process for unionization in the agricultural sector, which allows unions to bypass a secret ballot election. Instead, union officials collect signed cards from workers, with those cards being…

AGDAILY Reporters · October 8, 2024 Recent federal governmental statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reflect that the country has 1.2 million female producers. In Maryland, agriculture is the number one commercial industry. In the documentary Food, Fiber, & The Female Farmer, the lens is widened to view the authentic perspectives of six extraordinary women who preserve and sustain food sources while planting the seeds of change for future generations. In celebration of the upcoming National Farmer’s Day weekend, Food, Fiber, & The Female Farmer is set to premiere on Maryland Public Television on Sunday, October…

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2025 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry. Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play a vital role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program. “We are pleased to continue the CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and…

The National 4-H Council has revealed the finalists of its 2025 Youth in Action Awards, a national program that highlights the achievements of four exceptional young leaders who have positively impacted their communities. Sponsored by Bayer, the award comes with a $5,000 scholarship for each honoree, alongside opportunities to share their stories and inspire other youth throughout the year. From nature-driven healing journeys to deep explorations in STEM, these individuals represent the diverse impact of 4-H across the country. Esther Bonney After experiencing the tragic loss of her brother in 2019, Esther found solace in nature. At just 13 years…

Food science is an ever-evolving field that merges biology, chemistry, nutrition, and engineering to ensure the production, safety, and innovation of the food we consume. As the global population grows, the demand for safe, nutritious, and sustainable food sources becomes increasingly important. Careers in food science not only focus on improving food quality but also on addressing challenges like food security, waste reduction, and sustainability. Here are the top 10 careers in food science that are shaping the future of what we eat: 1. Food Scientist Food scientists work to understand the chemical, biological, and physical properties of food to…

As we kick off National 4-H Week 2024, it’s time to reflect on the impact of this nationwide youth development program. From Oct. 7 to 12, millions of 4-H members, alumni, volunteers, and supporters will come together to celebrate the accomplishments of this vibrant community. The National 4-H Council has already released its toolkit for this year’s celebration, complete with the theme for 2024, designed to highlight how 4-H prepares youth for success in both college and their future careers. The official proclamation, signed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, underscores the importance of this annual event in fostering leadership, civic…

It was 10 a.m. sharp on Monday, and Cross Canadian Ragweed fans were ready, fingers twitching over keyboards, for the presale of the century. The 2025 reunion of “The Boys From Oklahoma” at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater had stirred something deep in their hearts — or at least in their Wi-Fi routers. But as they hit “refresh” with the fury of a thousand caffeinated fans, they were met with the dreaded words no concert-goer wants to see: “experiencing high traffic volume.” The alert essentially translated to: “Hey, everyone wants these tickets, so hang tight while we try not to…

The blue corduroy FFA jacket has been a symbol of pride and achievement within the National FFA Organization since 1933, when delegates at the national convention voted to make it part of the official attire. For nearly a century, the jacket has represented leadership, dedication, and a deep connection to agricultural education. When students join FFA, they typically purchase or borrow jackets to compete in the various Career Development Events offered through the organization. The jacket serves as their team uniform, worn at all official FFA events, creating a sense of unity and pride among members. In South Dakota, the…

The images and video of damage from Hurricane Helene have been inescapable — massive flooding has wiped entire communities off the map. More than 200 people have been killed, with first responders continuing to recover bodies daily. And only now, are groups starting to put a real financial toll on the disaster. Helene hit Florida and moved north into Georgia and Mississippi before entering Tennessee. Its outer reaches stretched far into North Carolina and Virginia, fueling itself off the warm, saturated ground. Large sections of Interstate 40 in western North Carolina and U.S. 58 across southern Virginia have eroded away,…

Insurance company Nationwide has already chosen 79 agriculture teachers to receive its Golden Owl Award for the 2023-24 year, with 11 of them receiving the prestigious Ag Educator of the Year title. Though previous years have recognized 11 states, this year’s program honors top agricultural teachers from 13 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota. Welcome to the party Kentucky and Maryland! And now the opportunity is open to nominate teachers in all of these states for the 2024-25 season. Agriculture educators are vital to their communities, dedicating countless hours…