A USDA grant program recently funded its most recent group of projects designed to bring schools and students closer to their local farmers and ranchers. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Stacey Dean.

Recent grants will support continued studies and product development related to wood-based nanocellulosic materials - products from cement additives to a component in tires. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Robert Moon of the U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Lab

What should you do if a tick forms an attachment to you and puts the bite on you? Gary Crawford has advice from an expert. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. University of Kentucky Professor Emeritus of Entomology Lee Townsend.

Coffee and caffeine---How much is too much? Gary Crawford has this report. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Karen Blakeslee, Kansas State University Extension Food Scientist and coordinator of the Rapid Response Center for Food Science.

A technology developed by USDA research improves the time and efficiency in producing biobased products such as polymers and films that become everyday household items. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and researcher Atanu Biswas

Food prices are rising at a faster-than-normal pace. Gary Crawford has more. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Carolyn Chelius, USDA economist. Also, a cameo by a famous monster.

Various rural water and wastewater disposal project proposals received support recently through USDA loans and grants targeting those specific forms of infrastructure. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Justin Maxson.

To keep lawn, landscaping, or garden damage from an extreme weather event away or at a minimum, preventative maintenance is important. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Heather Kirk-Ballard of Louisiana State University Extension

Coffee has made one of the most dramatic comebacks in food and beverage history. Gary Crawford brews up this report. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Coffee grower and marketer, Arondo Holmes. Karen Blakeslee, extension educator with Kansas State University. Coffee fan, Kara Crawford.

Ticks can convey serious diseases. What can we do to reduce tick attacks? We'll find out in this report from Gary Crawford. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. University of Kentucky Professor Emeritus of Entomology, Lee Townsend. Tick rapper, Tanya Josek. Also Brad Paisley.