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Radio Features Archive

Protecting Precious Food Crops in Space and on Mars

 00:05:00.094
Astronauts would have to grow food on a three year Mars mission. What happens if an insect hitchhikes and starts destroying the crops? Gary Crawford has one possible answer on this edition of Agriculture USA.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Dr. David Shapiro-Ilan, with the USDA's Fruit and Tree Nut Lab in Byron, Georgia. Dr. Luis Rodriguez with University of Illinois. Plus, snippets from William Shatner and Marvin the Martian.

Four Cooking No-No's that Could Make for Holiday Dinner Disasters

 00:03:00.323
Want to really sabotage that holiday dinner you're preparing? Here are some simple things that could do just that. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Meredith Carothers with USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline.
****Broadcasters: The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE(888-674-6854) Listeners can also go online to Ask.usda.gov ****

Keys to Responsible Holiday Shopping

 00:03:00.323
Does holiday shopping dig you into a financial hole every year? Gary Crawford has an expert that can help us stay out of that hole.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Kansas State University Extension family finance expert, Elizabeth Kiss

The Holidays---A Marathon of Food

 00:02:52.068
Most marathon runners lose weight in the process, but the holiday season food marathon can have the opposite effect. Gary Crawford has the story.



PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford...and his stomach. Sharolyn Jackson, Kansas State University Extension.

Rural America at a Glance - the 2021 Edition

 00:02:38.328
What were some of the focal points and findings regarding USDA’s latest edition of its “Rural America at a Glance” series of reports. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and economic researcher Elizabeth Dobis

Protecting Food Crops on a Three Year Mars Mission

 00:03:00.114
On a mission to Mars astronauts would have to grow food. What happens if an insect stowaway starts destroying the crops? Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Dr. David Shapiro-Ilan, with the USDA's Fruit and Tree Nut Lab in Byron, Georgia. Dr. Luis Rodriguez with University of Illinois. Plus, snippets from William Shatner and Marvin the Martian.

Possible Solutions Regarding Rising Input Costs

 00:02:29.786
The Agriculture Secretary recently explored some potential short and long term solutions regarding the rise of grower input costs. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack

Vastly Different Market Conditions for Beef Cattle Vs. Hogs

 00:02:30.099
U.S. beef producers are dealing with a vastly different market situation compared to their friends in hog production. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski.

Coming Across an Updated "CroplandCROS"

 00:02:23.151
A USDA geospatial data web portal recently received a new name and enhanced tools to help users gain information about ag commodities across the country. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Rick Mueller of the National Agricultural Statistics Service

Bringing Ag to the Forefront of Climate Solutions

 00:02:29.551
The recent COP26 brought the concepts of agriculture as a solution to climate challenges and other global issues to the forefront. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Ernie Shea of Solutions from the Land

Farm Transition - Some Questions and Concerns

 00:02:24.457
Farm transfers from an older to younger generation - family or non-family - usually includes questions and concerns from both sides of this succession. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Jim Salfer of University of Minnesota Extension