Ag Headlines, Thursday June 9, 2016

Racial, Ethnic Diversity Increasing in Rural America

USDA’s Economic Research Service reports ethnic and racial diversity is increasing in rural parts of the nation. Racial and ethnic minorities made up 21 percent of rural residents in 2014. USDA said this week Hispanics, who may be of any race, and Asians are the fastest growing minority groups in the United States as a whole and in rural areas. Over 2010-2014, the rural Hispanic population increased 9.2 percent, and their share of the total rural population rose from 7.5 to 8.2 percent. Asians and Pacific Islanders represent a small share of the rural population, about one percent, but their population grew by 18 percent between 2010 and 2014, while rural Native American and Black populations grew at more modest rates. Meanwhile,  the rural non-Hispanic White population declined by 1.7 percent between 2010 and 2014. USDA says overall rural population loss, which was down 0.2 percent for the period, would have been much higher if not for the growth in the rural racial and ethnic minority groups.

USDA Extends Organic Livestock and Poultry Rule Comment Period

USDA this week extended the comment period for the agency’s proposed rule regarding revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. The extension comes following a request by the House and Senate Agriculture Committee’s last month. The lawmakers say their constituents were concerned about possible unintended consequences like reduced access to organic products, substantially increased organic food costs for consumers, increased exposure to disease and mortality for organic poultry, according to The Hill. The rule, first proposed in April, clarifies how organic producers and handlers must treat livestock and poultry throughout the animals' lives, including when they are transported and slaughtered. The comment period will be extended 30 days to July 13th, 2016.

Source:  NAFB News