Radio Features

Efforts continue to improve both the definition of agricultural literacy among the public as well as basic understanding of ag. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Kathleen Liang of North Carolina A and T University

If you are trying to work or play outside in severe heat, an expert has some tips to help keep you safe from heat stroke. Gary Crawford presents that advice on this edition of Agriculture USA.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey. Ohio State University professor Dee Jepsen.

While overall nationwide drought coverage only rose one per cent through July and into August, there were significant changes across various regions of the country. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

The Western wildfire season started picking up in activity late last month after a late start. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

An expert has some suggestions for making sure that brown bag school lunch doesn't make your child sick. 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***

Are the trees in your yard in danger from this summer's brutal heat waves and droughts? Gary Crawford has this report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and Charles Barden, Kansas State University extension forester.

Coffee is as very hot commodity, even during this record hot summer. 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.

**Broadcasters--Please do not air this report after 11 am EDT Friday, August 11th**

USDA is about to issue a major round of crop forecasts. Gary Crawford has more.

PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski.

A several decades long partnership between USDA and a land grant university was on display recently with the groundbreaking ceremony of a new plant research facility. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Secretary Tom Vilsack

USDA’s annual look at both agricultural land values and cash rents reveals more year-over-year growth in those sectors. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Shawn Arita of the Office of the Chief Economist

Month over month changes in drought coverage in crop growing area were significant dependent upon region and crop. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey