Demand for Local Beef Remains Strong

Garth Ruff, Field Specialist, Beef Cattle, OSU Extension (originally published in the Ohio Farmer) Growing Demand While 2020 has certainly been a challenging year for agriculture and especially those in the livestock business. However, direct to consumer meat sales have been a bright spot as a result of increased demand. Although a small percentage in the grand scheme of things, direct marketing of farm products has become a more popular route of merchandising livestock.…

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Fresh herbs maintain flavor better when frozen, not dried

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – One way to kick up the flavor a notch in the kitchen is to use fresh herbs when cooking. Although dried herbs give personality to time-honored recipes, fresh herbs typically have a bigger burst of flavor. With summer winding down, some gardeners may find themselves with an abundance of herbs they do not want to go to waste before the cold weather zaps the plants, said Barbara…

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USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids Through December 31, 2020

Summer meal programs can continue operating as funding allows (Washington, DC, August 31, 2020) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend several flexibilities through as late as December 31, 2020. The flexibilities allow summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to all children into the fall months. This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground –…

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Farmers to Families Food Box Program Reaches 75 Million Boxes Delivered

(Washington, D.C., Aug. 28, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed more than 75 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, President Trump announced an additional up to $1 billion will be added to the Farmers to Families Food Box Program while the economy continues to reopen. “The…

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Urban Foods Systems Symposium sessions will be online Wednesdays in October

Community engagement, food production, distribution and security among highlights OLATHE, Kan. – An educational opportunity focused on growing food for and in urban areas will be held Wednesdays in October this year. The 2020 Urban Food Systems Symposium will be online, with sessions planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT every Wednesday in October. The event typically draws community leaders, urban planners and growers, not-for-profit administrators and educators, researchers, students and anyone interested in…

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Trump Administration Announces Additional $1 billion for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program

USDA Begins Issuing Agreements for Round Three (Washington – Aug. 25, 2020) – Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced up to an additional $1 billion for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. The additional funding allows the program to continue critical support to farmers, distributors, and American families in need. The Farmers to Families Food Box program has provided over 70 million boxes to hungry Americans across…

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Safety is key when canning food at home

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Many gardeners across the state are finding themselves with excess fresh fruits and vegetables. Although the family can consume a fair amount of the garden bounty before it spoils, canning that food is a great way to reduce waste and preserve that summer-fresh taste all year long. Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Extension food specialist, said there are several safe methods of canning food at home. “The key to…

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NCBA Kicks Off Campaign to Generate Dietary Guidelines Comments

WASHINGTON (July 22, 2020) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today launched a nationwide grassroots campaign to highlight the #BenefitsofBeef and is calling on cattle producers to submit public comments in support of federal dietary guidelines that recognize beef’s role in a healthy diet.The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) last week released its Scientific Report, laying the groundwork for five years of federal nutrition guidance. Americans now have until Aug. 13 to…

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