Iowa State University is getting a more than half a million dollar grant from the U.S.D.A. to support research focused on planting two crops in the same field, like soybeans and winter wheat. It's called relay intercropping and researchers are assessing how it impacts soil health and water quality … [Read more...]
Vilsack asking U.S.D.A. to be creative about future use of Iowa Wesleyan campus
The U.S.D.A. will become responsible for the Iowa Wesleyan campus in Mount Pleasant when the university closes May 31 and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today said it's "too early" to tell what's next. "Our folks will work with the community to see what the options could be," Vilsack told … [Read more...]
Iowa GOP chair says Harkin, Vilsack need to defend their party’s Caucuses
The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party says two well-known Iowans in the Democratic Party need to speak out to keep their party's Caucuses first-in-the-nation. Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann says former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack have national clout and they … [Read more...]
USDA funds to Charles City, Lime Springs, Cherokee processing plants
The new owners of a chicken processing plant in Charles City are getting nearly $46 million in federal assistance to reopen the facility. The Simply Essentials plant closed in August of 2019. Pure Prairie Farms, the facility's new owner, is getting a nearly $39 million USDA loan, along with a … [Read more...]
U.S. Ag Secretary, trade representative visit Iowa
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai joined Congresswoman Cindy Axne, and U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack Thursday at a farm near Woodward to talk about global trade opportunities and the Inflation Reduction Act. Tai says the Inflation Reduction Act pushed through by Democrats will be important … [Read more...]
U.S. Ag Secretary announces funding to make products out of waste
U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says universities, farmers and communities with projects that could turn agricultural waste into usable products can apply for new federal grants. Vilsack uses the example of manure -- separating the water from the solids. "Why is that important? Because we're faced … [Read more...]
Vilsack unveils nearly $2.9 billion in grants, loans to boost food supply
U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is unveiling hundreds of millions of dollars in new U-S-D-A grant and loans to do things like establish grocery stores in underserved areas, build more cold storage facilities for fruits and vegetables and support training for employees in the meat and poultry … [Read more...]
Vilsack promotes ‘mass timber’ use in visit to Iowa construction site
U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says a central Iowa construction project shows the potential for a building material called mass timber. It's layers of wood, compressed and nailed or glued together, so it can bear more weight. Vilsack says mass timber can be made from the smaller trees the … [Read more...]
Mexican ag official tours Iowa farms with U.S. Ag Secretary
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says while a looming policy in Mexico may stop genetically modified corn from being planted in Mexico, the country's policy does not bar genetically modified corn grown in the United States from being sold to Mexico. Vilsack toured farms and research sites … [Read more...]
Current and former Iowa governors weigh in on Deere strike
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has visited the picket line outside the John Deere plant in Ankeny. Vilsack told the UAW members he's there for them because they were there for him 23 years ago. The union endorsed Vilsack's successful 1998 campaign for governor when he was trailing in the … [Read more...]