Food & Farm News
» January 15, 2008 «
Immigration reform remains high priority
Even though it's an election year, farmers say they will continue to press Congress for immigration reform. American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman told the organization's annual meeting that failure to reform immigration laws will place the nation's food security at risk. A Farm Bureau analyst said later that farmers need a simplified program to allow people to enter the country legally to fill on-farm jobs.
National climate-change policy could be coming
No matter who's elected president this year, the new administration and Congress will likely start work on a national climate-change policy. That's the prediction of experts who spoke to the American Farm Bureau annual meeting. A California Farm Bureau specialist said farmers here will use a variety of methods to meet state goals for reducing carbon-dioxide emissions. Examples include managing orchards and vineyards for carbon storage, and using farm byproducts to produce biofuels.
UC to launch new research focus on olives 
Burgeoning olive-oil production in California has led to a new research-and-teaching initiative at the University of California. U.C. Davis announced yesterday (Monday) the creation of a new Olive Center. Its director says the center's first priorities include improved olive-oil-labeling rules and enhanced testing for olive-oil quality. The Davis campus already bottles its own olive oil, pressed from fruit collected from some 2,000 on-campus trees.
County Farm Bureaus recognized for innovation
Two county Farm Bureaus from California have been recognized for innovative programs, during the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in New Orleans. The Stanislaus County Farm Bureau was honored for working to help farmers comply with new regulations on irrigation water use. The Tulare County Farm Bureau earned recognition for its Youth Leadership Program, which involves high school juniors in government, agricultural issues and community service.
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