Food & Farm News

» June 7, 2005 «

Young farmers' group works to alleviate hunger

With a goal to raise more than 2 million pounds of food, a California farmers' group kicks off its annual food drive to commemorate today's (Tuesday's) observance of Hunger Awareness Day. The California Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee donates food, money and time to food banks around the state. The rancher who's chairing this year's drive says farmers are dedicated to do all they can to meet the needs of hungry Californians.

Program seeks to boost rural home ownership

More rural families could achieve their goal of home ownership, through a pilot program announced yesterday (Monday). Rural residents in California and five other states will have the opportunity to participate in the pilot program. The U.S. Agriculture Department said loan guarantees from its Rural Development agency allow a home-financing firm to offer fixed-rate construction loans to eligible people. The program could begin operating by midsummer.

Dairies increase their demand for almond hulls

What was once a low-value by-product of almond processing has become a valuable feed source on dairy farms. The hulls removed from the outside of almonds contain fiber that dairy cows need, and taste good to the cows as well. Many dairy farmers mix the almond hulls into the feed they provide their herds. Dairy demand for almond hulls has increased, and has further accelerated because of recent high hay prices.

Gene-tracing study seeks citrus ancestors

By tracing genes from hundreds of samples maintained at a plant library, researchers in Riverside say most modern citrus fruit apparently started from a handful of wild species. The new study reinforces the theory that modern citrus trees are hybrids of the ancestral trees, which originally grew in Southeast Asia. Researchers say the study will help them pinpoint genes that allow citrus trees to resist disease and produce desirable fruit.