Around the Country

As Drought Worsens, L.A. Water Agency Offers Cash to Sacramento Valley Farmers Sacramento Bee

With the drought stretching into its fourth year, a heavyweight water agency from Los Angeles has come calling on Sacramento Valley rice farmers, offering up to $71 million for some of their water. The price being offered is so high, some farmers can make more from selling water than from growing their rice.

Delayed Deadline on Program Signup Not Expected Southwest Farm Press

Farmers who come into FSA offices before the March 31 deadline and sign the register to set up an appointment - even if the appointment is in April - will be considered as filed, according to FSA.

Head of USDA Risk Management Agency to Visit U or A Campus  

University of Arkansas News

Brandon Willis, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, will speak at 10:15 a.m. Friday, March 20, at the Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Building at the University of Arkansas.

Hoeven, Farm Groups See Conflict of Interest in Conservationists' Work for USDA  

E&E Daily

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), told Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at a Senate Ag Committee hearing last month that Ducks Unlimited, among other wildlife groups, was causing concerns in his state's farm communities. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service contracts the nongovernmental group's biologists to help farmers make decisions around the 2014 farm bill's conservation programs -- voluntary initiatives growers can take to slow soil erosion, clean up waterways and rebuild habitat.

USA Rice Federation at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Agwired

Radio interview: When asked about current priorities for USA Rice Federation, Jemison said, "Our #1 priority is to make all of our industry aspects viable, and profitable. On our production side, it's important to maintain markets and improve marketing via trade."

Science and Technology

Anti-GMO, Biotech Factions Clash at Food Summit Wall Street Journal

One thing both factions agree on: The discord costs money. Tens of millions of dollars have been spent advocating for and against state ballot initiatives and legislation requiring labels for foods made with GMOs.