Civil Eats

04/02/2025

Many farmers say fitness programs not only enhance their physical strength but also their mental well-being, helping those in agriculture better manage the stresses of their lives.

Exercise programs are targeting agricultural communities, improving not just physical health, but mental health, too.

04/02/2025

Apprentices come from all walks of life, says Jessica Matthews, who manages the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship.

“There tend to be waves of folks that are looking for a second career option, or are maybe burning out in what their chosen profession was.”

Pasture-based dairies struggle to compete with industrialized farms. The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship aims to help them thrive.

03/02/2025

In her latest book, “Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership,” Brea Baker talks about her family’s farming history, the lasting impact of land loss for Black people, and the case for reparations.

In her recent memoir, Brea Baker talks about the lasting impact of land loss for Black farmers and the case for reparations.

02/02/2025

We’ve produced an accounting of Biden’s most significant actions impacting food and farming during his tenure.

A look back on the Biden administration’s most significant actions impacting food and farming during the president’s tenure.

01/02/2025

“Right now, American agriculture is fighting to survive problems of our own making, and it needs solutions,” writes Dr. JohnElla Holmes in an op-ed. “To help, Congress just has to support and heed the wisdom of Black farmers like those here in Nicodemus.”

Increased federal funding for Black farmers—not less—will help US agriculture become more resilient as our climate changes.

01/02/2025

The critically important legislation got another last-minute extension last year, but what will this year bring for the farm bill?

Congress passed an extension on the farm bill last year, but farmers, advocates, and eaters want to know what 2025 will bring for ag policy.

31/01/2025

Since 2015, The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, supported by the USDA, has worked to help dairy farmers transfer their skills, and potentially their businesses, to a new generation.

But since part of the apprenticeship includes participating in research to help better understand the climate benefits of grazed dairy, it’s unclear whether that element of the apprenticeship will move forward under the Trump administration, which is by and large unsupportive of climate initiatives.

Pasture-based dairies struggle to compete with industrialized farms. The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship aims to help them thrive.

31/01/2025

From day one, the Biden Administration prioritized climate, “nutrition security,” infrastructure investments, and reducing food system consolidation.

Here’s what the former president and his team actually did. ⬇️

A look back on the Biden administration’s most significant actions impacting food and farming during the president’s tenure.

30/01/2025

For a while, the farm advocate profession was at risk of disappearing altogether. Now, a new federal effort is looking to create a fresh team of helpers.

Farm advocates help farmers weather tough situations. The profession was on the verge of disappearing until federal funding stepped in.

30/01/2025

With thousands of acres burned and homes lost, the residents of Altadena find nourishment, solace, and resolve through local food. Here are 13 initiatives you can support to keep those affected by the SoCal wildfires fed in the short and long term.

With thousands of acres burned and homes lost, this historic L.A. suburb finds nourishment and solace through local food. Here’s how to help.

29/01/2025

UPDATE: Iowa state legislators reintroduced the bill, now called Senate Study Bill 1051, that would shield Bayer and other pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits based on claims their products caused cancer and other illnesses.

As the agrichemical giant lays groundwork to fend off Roundup litigation, its use of a playbook for building influence in farm state legislatures has the potential to benefit pesticide companies nationwide.

29/01/2025

Increased federal funding for Black farmers—not less—will help U.S. agriculture become more resilient as our climate changes, writes Dr. JohnElla Holmes, the president and CEO of the Kansas Black Farmers Association.

Increased federal funding for Black farmers—not less—will help US agriculture become more resilient as our climate changes.

29/01/2025

Trump’s cabinet picks to lead two of the agencies with the most responsibility over regulating and supporting the American food system—Brooke Rollins at the USDA and Lee Zeldin at the EPA—have a lot in common.

Here’s what we know about the two nominees’ backgrounds, and what their hearings revealed. ⬇️

Brooke Rollins and Lee Zeldin are likely to lead the USDA and EPA respectively. Here’s what their confirmation hearings revealed.

28/01/2025

Pasture-based dairy farms struggle to compete with industrialized dairies. The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship aims to help them thrive.

Pasture-based dairies struggle to compete with industrialized farms. The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship aims to help them thrive.

28/01/2025

The 2018 Farm Bill got another last-minute extension last year, but what will 2025 bring for ag policy?

Congress passed an extension on the farm bill last year, but farmers, advocates, and eaters want to know what 2025 will bring for ag policy.

27/01/2025

Check out the Civil Eats Food Policy Tracker–your daily source for food and farm policy changes taking place on Capitol Hill.

The Civil Eats Food Policy Tracker is your daily, go-to source for actions taken by the President, federal agencies, and Congress that directly relate to or have significant implications for the food system.

26/01/2025

To maintain a record as we enter the second Trump administration, we’ve produced an accounting of Biden’s most significant actions impacting food and farming during his tenure.

A look back on the Biden administration’s most significant actions impacting food and farming during the president’s tenure.

25/01/2025

With thousands of acres burned and homes lost, this historic L.A. suburb finds nourishment and solace through local food. Here’s how to help.