BY FRED GRAY, NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER EAST JORDAN - Greg Niewendorp of East Jordan, like growing numbers of small farmers across Northern Michigan and the rest of the nation, is challenging state and federal agencies and the big downstate cattle industry to back off their Big Brother policies and allow farmers like him to carry on with their way of life. BY FRED GRAY, NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER EAST JORDAN - Greg Niewendorp of East Jordan, like growing numbers of small farmers across...

From what the FDA can tell, washing the greens won't remove this potentially deadly disease from Popeye's favorite food. I've never been a picky eater. Mystery chemicals in pet food and, now, pork and chicken feed. My mom will testify that the mere switch from green beans to carrots in mid-meal would send me into spasms (aka, vomiting) Despite the rocky start, I grew up with a relatively accepting palate, ready to try different flavors and cooking methods. Recent recalls of food items...

New farmers take on financial challenges of mission to keep agriculture community-oriented. And some new farmers, like the Woosters, have modeled their businesses on community-supported agriculture programs that rely on customers who pay a fixed price at the start of the season in return for a certain amount of produce. Others have lured customers to their farms with tractor rides, restaurants and gift shops that sell raw produce along with crops that have been processed into jams, pickles...

CDFA, USDA and the county agricultural commissioner*s office have already begun setting and collecting additional traps in the area to determine the extent of the problem. The list of agricultural crops that could be damaged by this pest includes Napa County*s famed grapes as well as citrus, stone fruits (peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, apricots) and others. CDFA, USDA and local agricultural officials will work together to take the appropriate regulatory action to prevent the spread...

Due to ongoing concerns about the effectiveness in Canada of the 10 years-old ban on feeding mammalian tissues to cows n the key firewall intended to prevent the spread of BSE, or mad cow disease n NMPF told the USDA that it would be imprudent to allow live animal traffic to resume. Market Watch Online email. Department of Agriculture, is opposing the resumption of cattle exports from Canada for breeding or herd replacement purposes. Due to ongoing concerns about the effectiveness in...

Scientists seek to protect the homely sugar beet The fact that sugar beets are one of California's major crops does nothing to enhance their beauty. The Agricultural Research Service scientists are tracking down diseases that attack the root vegetable and finding ways to increase its protection against attack. It occurs in every region of the country where sugar beets are grown, causing small, lateral roots to form instead of the plump, sugar-rich taproot growers expect to harvest. For the...