USDA nominees advance: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the nominations of Chavonda Jacobs-Young for USDA undersecretary for research and Margo Schlanger for USDA assistant secretary for civil rights for a floor vote. (Senate Ag)
New EPA pesticide policy: In a reversal of decades of practice, the EPA said it would evaluate the effects of new pesticides on endangered species and their habitats before deciding whether to approve the chemicals for use. (EPA)
Fertilizer costs surge: Farmers could spend as much as an additional $128,000 for fertilizer this year because of sharply higher prices, said the Agricultural and Food Policy Center, a think tank at Texas A&M. (AFPC)
Bigger food banks: The pandemic has forced food banks to expand into larger quarters, with the most prominent being the new 345,000-square-foot home of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, billed as the world’s largest food bank facility. (Food Bank News)
Ag subsidies explained: On Thursday at 11 a.m. ET, the public radio program 1A will discuss “how agriculture subsidies shape the food we eat.” Participants will include Anne Schechinger of the Environmental Working Group, John Boyd of the National Black Farmers Association, and Drew Swanson of Wright State University. (1A)