Radio Features

What are some of the new ways that Western states and wildfire management entities are using to reduce wildfire activity? Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Jerry Perez of the U.S. Forest Service. New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy. Dan Porter of the Nature Conservancy. Washington State Forester George Geissler.

Agritourism remains popular for both farm owners and consumers due to its variety of benefits. Yet for a farmer or rancher wishing to run an agritourism operation, there are challenges to consider. Rod Bain looks at various benefits and challenges associated with agritourism in this edition of “Agriculture USA”.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Audrey Comerford of Oregon State University Extension

That real Christmas tree can have many uses far after the holidays are over. Gary Crawford has more.


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

How do two USDA programs centered on foreign export market development and market access provide benefits to our nation's economy and to the ag sector? Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Foreign Agricultural Service Deputy Administrator Mark Slupek

Three White House nominees to Agriculture Department and ag trade posts – all with ties to USDA – received full confirmation by the U.S. Senate prior to the holiday recess. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Doug McKalip. Alexis Taylor. Jose Emilio Esteban.

The final numbers for both Atlantic and Pacific tropical storms and hurricanes are among the indicators of the uniqueness of this past season. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey

USDA is working on various projects designed to better detect and understand the COVID virus and its variants in wild and domestic animals, and in turn, improve response to these threats. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Associate Administrator Mike Watson

An Extension expert discusses some of the trends that are taking place in the realm of agritourism. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Audrey Comerford of Oregon State University Extension

Continued innovation in and through our nation’s federal and land grant university labs and research facilities is important to keeping U.S. farm and food goods competitive globally. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Chovanda Jacobs Young

Recent allocations were announced for two USDA programs designed to foster ag export market access and development - programs important to various commodity and ag trade organizations. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Cary Siffereth of the U.S. Grains Council. Dean Meyer of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Tom Haig of the National Corn Growers Association. Maria Zieba of the National Pork Producers Council.

Are the nation's pork producers changing their minds about cutting production? Gary Crawford has this report.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and USDA livestock analyst, Shayle Shagam.