USDA

The head of one northwest Iowa nonprofit says the new plan is appalling and fails to help children and their families.

Iowa has had the third largest total of violent tornadoes since 1950, behind Oklahoma and Texas.

The agriculture department’s annual projections show a slowing economy and lower crop prices for the upcoming year. The USDA also looks ahead to the next decade, showing rising crop yields but a competitive job market.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture report found “socially disadvantaged producers,” especially Black farmers, operate at a higher risk level compared to their white counterparts and are less likely to receive government payments.

One conservationist says the Deep Creek Water Quality Initiative is making an impact, but more work needs to be done.

Over 100 billion pounds of food goes to waste every year in America. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Food Bank is trying to cut down on that waste by connecting local farmers and food pantries, but it’s future depends on how much funding is included for the program in the next farm bill.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published its new standard for organic livestock production. Industry groups say that this will help producers compete and promote trust in organic products for consumers.

Iowa dog shelters are at their highest capacity in more than five years.

“I have no idea what this is going to look like in two months because we don’t know what it’s going to look like after all the students are gone. It’s wait and see, which is so hard for me.”

After 181 years in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Wesleyan University will close at the end of May. Local residents are mourning the loss and considering an uncertain future.