The consensus is the herbicide glyphosate is unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans, based on the scientific data collected by the U.S. [node:read-more:link]

Rural America as a whole is seeing job and income growth for the first time since the Great Recession of 2008. We are also realizing a reverse in outmigration from rural areas and lower rates of poverty.  About 15 percent of the population—46 million people—are living in rural America. Rural America plays a key role in the national economy, producing food and other goods that are vital to the rest of the country [node:read-more:link]

Officials of Idaho Ground Water Appropriators Inc. say they have a contract to purchase the Rangen trout farm in Hagerman. The purchase would put to rest a long-running water battle with Rangen while providing groundwater irrigators a pathway toward resolving other water conflicts in the valley. IGWA attorney T.J. Budge said the sale hasn’t closed, as the parties are still “working through the due diligence.” The purchase price is confidential, Budge said. The property includes about 60 acres, three homes, raceways, a fish hatch house and greenhouse and a research building. [node:read-more:link]

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program has expanded its voluntary program statewide in Ohio. Effective Jan. 1, all Ohio-based agricultural retailers and nutrient service providers will be able to participate in the water quality effort. The program is based on the 4R framework, using the right fertilizer source at the right rate, the right time and in the right place. [node:read-more:link]

The first pipeline protesters will go on trial Monday and the prosecutor is asking that they keep issues of tribal sovereignty, the concerns about the Dakota Access Pipeline and "any other social or political cause" out of the courtroom. "This trial is not being held so there can be a forum to extend the months of conflict and context over these extraneous issues," Ladd Erickson, who is prosecuting the case for Morton County, wrote in a motion filed Dec. 12. [node:read-more:link]

If an organization truly cared about the health and welfare of animals, one would imagine they would be pretty big supporters of veterinarians, right? After all, veterinarians dedicate eight years of their lives (and a whole lot of money) to learning how to keep our livestock and pets healthy. The Veterinarian’s Oath states, “I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare,” and “the prevention and relief of animal suffering.” Sounds like a concept any animal lover could get behind. [node:read-more:link]

There’s no use crying over spilled milk, but you might well shed a tear or two over the taste of milk in the era of plastic cartons. Scientists at Virginia Tech report that, in blind tastings, the flavor of milk stored in a standard supermarket-style dairy cooler is significantly degraded by fluorescent light passing through translucent plastic containers. When LED bulbs were used instead, tasters rated the milk about the same as when it was packaged in a lightproof container—which is to say, a lot better. [node:read-more:link]

Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is asking the Food and Drug Administration to enforce the definition of "milk" — as in, a beverage that comes from cows — and require non-dairy drinks that currently market themselves as "milk" to find another name. [node:read-more:link]

The 2015 ERS County Typology Codes classify all U.S. counties according to six categories of economic dependence: farming, mining, manufacturing, Federal/State government, recreation, and nonspecialized counties. ERS developed this typology to help characterize the socioeconomic diversity of rural America. Counties are usually classified as dependent on a particular sector when the share of employment or earnings in that sector is markedly above the average. [node:read-more:link]

Last week, FDA issued a final rule to establish a user fee program for a voluntary accreditation program under Food Safety Mondernization Act, which established a voluntary program to accredit third-party certification bodies, or auditors, to conduct food safety audits of foreign food entities and certify that foreign food facilities and food produced by such facilities meet applicable FDA food safety requirements. [node:read-more:link]