Department of Agriculture

Federal data shows ranks of scientists who carry out environmental research, enforcement and other jobs fell sharply in some agencies under former President Donald Trump.

Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese spoke with the media on Friday and outlined the details of President Joe Biden’s executive order on helping provide food assistance to Americans.

Scientists in Washington state have discovered the first nest of so-called murder hornets in the United States and plan to wipe it out Saturday to protect native honeybees.

President Donald Trump is directing the Department of Agriculture to provide U.S. lobster fishermen with financial assistance to make up for lost income from Chinese tariffs.

An invasion of Asian giant hornets became the latest 2020 worry — and internet sensation — as the term “murder hornet” began to trend over the weekend.

Hector Muñoz owns a coffee farm in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, and hurricanes aren’t the only natural disasters he’s worried about. “If a drought comes it could be catastrophic,” he said. He has reason to be concerned. Powerful El Niños are expected over the next decade and they typically bring drought conditions. Adding to the challenge is the possible impact...

An animal rescue that was shut down in Danbury is under investigation after reopening in Wolcott. Police there started their inquiry into Tails of Courage after someone claimed their new puppy died just hours after it was adopted from the rescue this summer.

Florida’s iconic palm trees are under attack from a fatal disease that turns them to dried crisps in months, with no chance for recovery once they become ill.

Residents signing up for food stamps in Minnesota are provided a brochure about domestic violence, but it doesn’t matter if they even read the pamphlet. The mere fact it was made available could allow them to qualify for government food aid if their earnings or savings exceed federal limits. As odd as that might sound, it’s not actually unusual. Thirty-eight...

The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed tightening automatic eligibility requirements for the food stamp program, a change that could affect about 3.1 million people. The Agriculture Department said the rule would close “a loophole” that enables people receiving only minimal benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to be eligible automatically for food stamps. “For too long, this...

When President Donald Trump’s administration announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers struggling under the financial strain of his trade dispute with China, the payments were capped. But many large farming operations had no trouble finding legal ways around them.

The 1,100-pound animals, taking 20-foot-plus strides, gallop on ankles which have been likened to glass. Suddenly, the entire sport of thoroughbred racing stands on fragile legs.

Six states and the District of Columbia sued the Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, saying it weakened nutritional standards in school breakfasts and lunches when it relaxed the requirements affecting salt and refined grains last year. The lawsuit in Manhattan federal court asked a judge to overturn the changes, saying they were carried out in an arbitrary and capricious manner....

Here’s what to know for Thursday, March 21.

Often touted for being highly nutritious, kale has joined the list of 11 other fruits and vegetables known to be “dirty,” according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group. The watchdog group publishes its “Dirty Dozen” list annually, in which it ranks the 12 produce items that contain the highest amount of pesticide residues. The group analyzes data from...

Often touted for being highly nutritious, kale has joined the list of 11 other fruits and vegetables known to be “dirty,” according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group. The watchdog group publishes its “Dirty Dozen” list annually, in which it ranks the 12 produce items that contain the highest amount of pesticide residues. The group analyzes data from...

Butterball is recalling nearly 80,000 pounds — 39 tons — of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a certain strain of Salmonella.

Butterball is recalling nearly 80,000 pounds — 39 tons — of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a certain strain of Salmonella.

A Pennsylvania-based company has recalled nearly 3,000 pounds of Chef Boyardee products because they were labeled as chicken and rice but are beef ravioli.

Animal shelters from around Georgia were called in to help authorities rescue 700 dogs from a home in Valdosta. News outlets report the shelters say the dogs were kept in small cages, and many of the animals rescued on Saturday had never been walked or held before. One shelter, Release Atlanta, calls it “an extreme hoarding puppy mill case.” A...