Community wildfire defense grants: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a five-year $1 billion competitive grant program that will make awards of up to $10 million to communities working to protect against wildfire losses. (USDA)
Cows buried in landfills: After more than 2,000 cows died in a Kansas heat wave in June, animals were sent to a landfill to be buried — usually a last resort for the disposal of animal carcasses. (Reuters)
‘Protect agriculture’s land base’: The 2023 farm bill should “enable more landowners to voluntarily protect their land in perpetuity” by increasing funding for USDA conservation easement programs and for land stewardship efforts. (American Farmland Trust)
Child nutrition mark-up: The House Education and Labor Committee scheduled a vote for Wednesday on legislation filed by Chairman Bobby Scott to increase USDA reimbursement rates for meals served by schools, expand the community eligibility provision and modernizing WIC. (House Education)
U.S. launches heat.gov: The interagency National Integrated Heat Health Information System unveiled the heat.gov website with maps, data and information that includes heat forecasts and advice on how to deal with hot weather. (NOAA)
Advances for Ukrainian grain: Turkey said it would open an operational center in preparation for resumption of grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, notwithstanding the second Russian missile attack on port facilities in three days. (Irish Times)