Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has just announced a new pandemic assistance program for the timber industry. (Gary Crawford and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack)

The beneficiaries of agricultural innovations are in many cases are consumers, whether it is new food products, clothing from natural fibers, or biofuels for transportation. Yet there are ag based innovations and technologies some consumers may not realize are also playing a key role in their daily...

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.

The struggling timber industry is about to receive some help. (Gary Crawford. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin. Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack giving some of the eligibility criteria for the new Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers program.

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.

Drought conditions are starting to creep into parts of the Western Corn Belt, raising concerns about potential impacts to corn and soybeans. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)

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.

The Desert Southwest states of New Mexico and Arizona have received recent relief from drought conditions, thanks to an annual rainfall event in the region. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)