Another missed opportunity to curb subsidies (Politico): A coalition of fiscal conservatives and liberal environmentalists wanted to curb farm subsidies in this year’s farm bill—but politicking about SNAP and other provisions derailed their efforts.
Can Denham say ‘farmer’? (HuffPost): A political action committee devoted to helping Democrats win in Republican-held House districts argues that Rep. Jeff Denham, a House Agriculture Committee member, cannot describe himself as a “farmer” on the November election ballot because, the group says, he isn’t an active farmer.
A smaller plate is not a diet (CSPI): Forget the advice about using a smaller plate to eat less, says Penn State professor Barbara Rolls; in her tests, people piled more food on the plate or got another helping.
Turning wastewater into wine (San Diego Tribune): A group of Israeli and Mexican investors wants to pump highly treated wastewater from Tijuana to the wine-growing Guadalupe Valley in Baja California 65 miles away.
Herbicide drift hits Texas vineyards (NPR): “Livelihoods are at stake” in Texas, the top cotton growing state, where herbicide drift has damaged vineyards; the onset of damage coincides with the shift to new formulations of the weedkillers dicamba and 2,4-D.
New ways to perk up school meals (SNA): A survey by the School Nutrition Association found that school districts are trying innovative ways to get students to eat healthy food. The include taste tests and salad bars, and a proven tactic—scheduling recess just before lunch.
Animal crackers uncaged (USA Today): In a redesign of the package of the classic snack, animal crackers, the animals roam freely after decades of appearing in cages. The change came at the urging of PETA.