The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has finalized the first   operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”), opening pathways towards fully integrating UAS into the nation’s airspace. Under the final rule, the person actually flying a drone must be at least 16 years old and have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or be directly supervised by someone with such a certificate. [node:read-more:link]

For the second year in a row, USDA’s Farm Service Agency says its $2.65 billion operating loan program will likely run out of funds before the end of the fiscal year. USDA officials say the funds will likely run dry by the end of June, around three months before next year’s program starts on October first. Cash-strapped farmers and cautious banks have turned to the program amid the global grains downturn. These FSA loan guarantees and direct loans are typically considered loans of last resort, but an increasing number of agriculture lenders have turned to the program. [node:read-more:link]

Oyster boat captains last year thought they were suffering through one of the worst years in decades for the Texas oyster industry as freshwater from heavy rains flooded Galveston Bay and killed oysters. This year is turning out to be much worse. Galveston County Judge Mark Henry on Tuesday issued a disaster declaration for the Galveston Bay oyster industry, but the problem is not restricted to Galveston Bay. Persistent downpours throughout eastern Texas are swamping oyster beds with deadly freshwater all along the Texas Gulf Coast. [node:read-more:link]

Near Halstead Wednesday, heavy rains and strong winds knocked over trees and flooded streets and fields. It was a downpour unlike anything farmer Rod Miller says he's seen in more than 20 years.  "Not this much rain in that short amount of time. I don't think anybody remembers getting that kind of water," Miller says.  Miller was out in the field working when the rain started falling Wednesday evening. He was forced to leave his tractor sitting in the field.  "Most guys keep running their combine until the rain starts falling," Miller says. "And it just hit hard and fast. [node:read-more:link]

While minorities have made some political gains in recent decades, they remain significantly underrepresented in Congress and nearly every state legislature though they comprise a growing share of the U.S. population, according to an analysis of demographic data by The Associated Press. The disparity in elected representation is especially large for Hispanics, even though they are now the nation's largest ethnic minority.  A lack of political representation can carry real-life consequences, and not only on hot-button immigration issues. [node:read-more:link]

The Washington Department of Ecology on Wednesday will propose issuing permits to dairies that could limit federal lawsuits over groundwater pollution, creating a regulatory framework sought by the dairy industry and fought by environmental groups.  “We think this is a good thing,” Washington State Dairy Federation policy director Jay Gordon said. “They (DOE) have done an excellent job of listening. [node:read-more:link]

A three-year, $750,000 USDA grant to the University of Arkansas’s poultry science department will aid in funding the Military Veterans Small Farms Outreach Program. The program aims to help military veterans succeed in new poultry, small livestock, and agroforestry enterprises. The long-term goal is to develop and expand on a personalized, comprehensive and integrated educational program that provides military veterans and minority beginning farmers and ranchers with relevant information and practical skills in their new agricultural enterprises. [node:read-more:link]

Philadelphia became the first major American city with a soda tax despite a multi-million dollar campaign by the beverage industry to block it.  The City Council gave final approval to a 1.5 cent-per-ounce tax on sugary and diet beverages. [node:read-more:link]

Out of 1,355 FDA inspections of U.S. [node:read-more:link]

The appropriations bill, as written, would exempt the military from Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which prohibits federal agencies from making bulk purchases of synthetic fuels with a larger greenhouse gas footprint than traditional petroleum. However, especially in the advanced biofuels industry, the military's use of biofuels has been a long standing source of encouragement for new technologies. [node:read-more:link]