Author

Adam Goldstein

Adam Goldstein

Adam Goldstein was the D.C. Bureau intern for States Newsroom. Goldstein was a graduate student at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, studying digital reporting. He is originally from San Francisco, and loves swimming, cooking, and the San Francisco 49ers.

Chickens gather around a feeder at a farm on August 9, 2014 in Osage, Iowa

The U.S. is undergoing its worst bird flu outbreak ever. Is a poultry vaccine the answer?

By: - May 12, 2023

WASHINGTON — The deadliest outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history is prompting growing concern in Congress, and Department of Agriculture researchers are awaiting the preliminary results of four trials of vaccines for poultry. Some lawmakers are warming to the idea of a vaccination campaign, long considered a fringe idea because of the cost and […]

Rural lenders, crop insurance agents push for bolstered safety net at farm bill hearing

By: - May 4, 2023

WASHINGTON — Rural bank executives and crop insurance agents testified at a Thursday Senate hearing in support of a modernized crop insurance market that helps upstart producers manage growing risks, and supports food security.  The witnesses told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry that crop insurance represents one of the most important financial […]

A growing number of states across the country are enacting universal school meal laws to bolster child food security and academic equity.

A pandemic experiment in universal free school meals gains traction in the states

By: - April 22, 2023

WASHINGTON — Every public school kid in the United States was eligible for free school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of family income, thanks to the federal government. While that’s now ended, a growing number of states across the country are enacting universal school meal laws to bolster child food security and academic equity. […]

USDA secretary battles with U.S. House Republicans over costs of federal nutrition programs

By: - March 28, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans tussled with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Democratic committee members over work requirements in federal nutrition programs as well as spending levels for those programs at a Tuesday hearing. Republican members of the House Agriculture Committee charged Vilsack with evading bipartisan oversight in the USDA’s 2021 redesign of the Thrifty Food […]

Limits on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland gain support in Congress, despite skepticism

By: - March 19, 2023

WASHINGTON — Bipartisan momentum is building in Congress to restrict China and other foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. farmland, a reflection of a similar push by some states as well as apprehension over Chinese spy balloons, rising land prices and growing international competition. “Foreign ownership of agricultural land threatens small family farms and the overall […]

Progressive agriculture groups rally for land access, climate-smart policies in farm bill

By: - March 8, 2023

WASHINGTON — Farmers and leaders from more than 20 progressive agricultural groups gathered this week to march on the U.S. Capitol, and promote climate solutions and underserved producers as priority issues for lawmakers in the upcoming farm bill. “As farmers, we are close to the land. We love the land. We understand the sanctity and […]

American Farmers Begin Growing Season During Coronavirus Lockdown

U.S. agriculture secretary unveils initiatives aimed at small and midsized operations

By: - March 6, 2023

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday announced new steps the Department of Agriculture is taking to recenter U.S. agriculture and benefit small and midsized operations, including a proposed new “Product of USA” labeling rule and an $89 million expansion of the USDA intermediary lending program.  At the National Farmers Union conference in San Francisco, […]

Eggs Chickens in cages industrial farm

U.S. House Ag panel hears industry complaints on regulations, scant crop insurance

By: - March 1, 2023

WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee listened to agribusiness executives on Tuesday rail against federal regulations, and lobby for new markets and reinforced crop insurance programs in the panel’s first hearing of the new Congress.  With the 2018 farm bill expiring this fall, lawmakers who will shape the next version of the […]

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack promoted voluntary federal programs to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. (Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Market innovation a path to economic equity in farming, Vilsack tells ag conference

By: - February 23, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged the private sector and government officials to address inequity and promote innovation in what he called a “pivotal moment” in the nation’s history at an industry conference Thursday. In the opening session of the 99th USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, Vilsack said new income streams and markets will be […]

An aerial view from a drone shows a combine being used to harvest the soybeans in a field

State ag officials push for on-time farm bill to fund slew of programs

By: - February 17, 2023

WASHINGTON — State agriculture officials from across the country sought this month to remind a new crop of lawmakers in Congress of their states’ needs for a robust farm bill to address a host of food issues. Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture gathered in Washington for their annual winter meeting […]

In recent hearings on the 2023 farm bill, lawmakers in the U.S. House have discussed expanding crop insurance and trying to address the mounting challenges from drought, severe weather and climate change to the legislation. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

U.S. Senate panel debates safety net spending in upcoming farm bill

By: - February 11, 2023

WASHINGTON — Members of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee quibbled Thursday over spending on crop insurance and ad-hoc disaster relief, previewing potential fights in the 2023 farm bill. Legislators of both parties emphasized their support at a Thursday hearing for better funding programs that protect underserved producers, and accounting for future natural disasters […]

Mountains in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

Fossil fuel drilling threatens air and wildlife in national parks, advocacy group finds

By: - February 11, 2023

WASHINGTON — A “massive” methane cloud forming over Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. Noxious air pollution fouling Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Herds of mule deer and pronghorn at risk of decimation at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Environmental problems like these are already resulting from fossil fuel extraction near […]