USDA scientists fenced 1 hectare of aspen against elk but allowed deer, bears and other animals through; within 1 year, protected trees gained 14.5 cm more heightResearch on a ranch in Colorado highlighted the effectiveness of a unique fence in fostering the growth of young aspens. It successfully ke...
72-year-old Pennsylvania woman's 100-year-old house was at risk of collapse. She could not afford repairs. How she got a grant to fix her homeMaureen Bird, a 72-year-old Pennsylvania resident, feared her nearly 100-year-old home could collapse because of a cracked basement wall. U...
USDA and CBP spent $861 million checking travellers and cargo for farm pests in 2011, but fees left a $325 million gap because federal law limits who paysThe United States has struggled with funding for its Agricultural Quarantine Inspection program due to fee shortfalls. In 2011, the program...
Three years after $10.1 million Bezos Earth Fund giving in Chicago, Illinois. Here's what is taking rootsThe Greening America's Cities initiative received a big gift of $400 million from the Bezos Earth Fund. The mission of the project is to en...
White flecks floating around canned squash can look like spoilage, but starch, hard-water minerals, or table-salt additives may cause harmless cloudiness in the jarOpening a can of squash might show some cloudy liquid or floating particles, but don't panic—they're often harmless culprits like starch, h...
Nevada removed feral horses and burros from Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge; some streamside and upland vegetation gradually recoveredFeral horses and burros were removed from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada to aid ecosystem recovery. Although some vegetatio...
In 1921, America introduced cogongrass as a forage crop; later used for soil control, the invasive grass now covers more than 1 million acres in FloridaCogongrass was brought to the United States in the early 20th century with the noble goal of supporting agriculture and curbing erosion. Ho...
In 1943, Kentucky released a hardy pasture grass that farmers embraced; today, tall fescue covers an estimated 35 million acres, while its hidden fungus causes costly cattle health problemsIn 1931, tall fescue grass was first found in Kentucky and later spread throughout the eastern United States. While it's advantageous for f...
Siberian elm was widely planted in America for windbreaks and as a disease-tolerant shade tree; it escaped cultivation and is now considered invasive in 41 statesSiberian elm, initially introduced to American landscapes for its Dutch elm disease resistance, soon proved problematic as it became invasi...
Stale crackers and cereal can turn crisp again instead of going in the trash; a few minutes in a 425°F oven can drive off enough moisture to revive the crunchReviving your stale dry snacks, like crackers, is simple and effective. Using an oven to eliminate excess moisture can bring back their del...
Could a global food crisis take a big bite out of your plate? What the warnings mean for AmericansInternational leaders are warning of a possible global food crisis. Could American households feel the impact at the grocery store? May, 20...
Sugar stock checks to intensify after GST discrepanciesBeginning October 9, the government will implement a rigorous verification process of sugar stocks due to discrepancies discovered in both ...
India sugar production view slashed as El Nino hits, USDA saysThe USDA has slashed its expectations for Indian sugar production in the 2026/27 season to 29.5 million metric tons due to a forecasted rai...
Mortgage rates today climb again: What the 7.542% 30-year mortgage rate means for homebuyers, refinancing and home equityThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has climbed to 7.542%, up from 7.373% a week earlier. That increase adds to the cost of buying a ho...
In 1975, Chicago lawyer John Swenson ordered an unusual garlic from a catalog out of curiosity; decades later, that curiosity had grown into 150 preserved varietiesA Chicago-based lawyer, John Swenson, found himself drawn to garlic when he randomly ordered a few bulbs out of mere curiosity. Over the ye...
Over 167,000 pounds of beef, pork and goat meat recalled nationwide over false USDA inspection mark. Here's what consumers should be aware ofA massive recall of meat products has been announced following improper inspections and counterfeit USDA markings, impacting over 167,000 p...
About 170,000 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat meat recalled in US: Reason, affected batches and what to do if you have anyThe USDA has announced to recall nearly 167,639 pounds of raw meat products due to serious safety concerns. These products were made withou...