Radio Features

Climate experts are predicting another busy and dangerous Atlantic storm season. On this edition of Agriculture USA Gary Crawford has the latest update on the forecast and on things we can do to prepare for any weather disaster.

PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Ben Friedman, Acting NOAA Administrator. President Joe Biden. Matthew Rosencrans, with the Climate Prediction Center. Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist. Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

The second year of a USDA pilot program hope to expand efforts to build up urban agriculture by building compost and in turn reducing food waste. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Terry Cosby

Federal disaster officials are urging us to make plans and prepare now for hurricanes and other weather disasters. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Ben Friedman, Acting NOAA Administrator. President Joe Biden. Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

A recent USDA study into the nation's opioid epidemic found details about timelines and geography regarding this issue over the last two decades. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA economic researcher David McGranahan

Reliance grows in the use of technologies and big data to verify where our food comes from for both producers and consumers. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Doug Stanton of "Where Food Comes From".

Many outdoor grillers follow most of the recommended practices for food safety, but often miss one crucial step. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Meredith Carothers, food safety expert with USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline.
****Broadcasters: The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE(888-674-5463)Listeners can also go online to Ask.usda.gov***

U.S. agricultural export prospects look even more promising than they did just three months ago. Gary Crawford has the new USDA forecast.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Seth Meyer, USDA Chief Economist.

A recent USDA study looks at how economic crises both on regional and global levels tend to impact our nation's agricultural exports. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and William Liefert

How many acres of what crops are farmers planting this spring? USDA is collecting data to answer that question for us. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Lance Honig, Chief of the Crops Branch of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service

USDA is looking at ways to quantify the climate benefits of its Conservation Reserve Program. Stephanie Ho has this report.

PARTICIPANTS: Stephanie Ho and FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux

Outreach continues on new USDA resources available to livestock producers to assist in marketing decisions and price discovery. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Agricultural Marketing Service Associate Deputy Administrator Taylor Cox