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Connecting you with our food system and its value in our daily lives — from dirt to dinner.

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Garland West

What’s Keeping Food Costs So High?

What’s Keeping Food Costs So High?

The cost of the food we put on our tables is still going up and up. What keeps driving up food costs...and is there anything we can do about it? Or is paying more for our food the price we pay for a better, healthier food system? Let's take a closer look.

Food Production, Food Trade

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Holy Cow! What happened to Dean Foods & Borden Dairy?

Holy Cow! What happened to Dean Foods & Borden Dairy?

Two significant dairy companies went bankrupt in 2020. Was it because of the influence of plant-based milk or was it because the dairy industry needed some consolidation?

Food Production

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Sorting the facts from the quacks

Sorting the facts from the quacks

Quackery about our food and agriculture floods our consciousness and makes it more and more difficult to separate good, useful and trustworthy information from the useless and the dangerous. Here's how you separate facts from quacks...

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Russian Wheat & Global Food Security

Russian Wheat & Global Food Security

Despite its war on Ukraine, Russian wheat production has demonstrated a surprising rebound from trade disruptions. But is that enough to surmount its perilous political status?

Food Security, Food Trade

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Our Daily Bread: Uncertainty in Global Wheat Markets

Our Daily Bread: Uncertainty in Global Wheat Markets

The world needs wheat for bread, a daily fixture in households across the globe. As significant exporters of this "staple of life", Russia's war on Ukraine affects the world’s wheat supply. Which countries, if any, can step up to fill in the gap...and at what price?

Food Security, Food Trade

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The World of Wheat

The World of Wheat

Wheat is one of the oldest and most important grain crops in the world, grown in 42 U.S. states and 80 countries around the globe. And its value in feeding a growing global population is incalculable.

Food Production

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Tufts' Befuddling

Tufts' Befuddling "Food Compass"

Really smart people have told me that occasional bouts of confusion are normal as we age, and I’ve taken comfort in that. But I’ve got to admit I was thrown for a very serious loop when I came across the Tufts Food Compass Score...

Diet

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Garland's Letter from Atlanta

Garland's Letter from Atlanta

Ever wonder what farmers do when they aren’t planting, tending or harvesting their crops? D2D wanted to find out, so we attended a winter conference to learn a few new things. And pick up a side of gratitude just in time for the holidays, too.

Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

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Ukraine Conflict Tops 2022's Ag Headlines

Ukraine Conflict Tops 2022's Ag Headlines

The resulting disruption ripples across every aspect of agriculture, magnifying the importance of global interdependence. We'll also highlight other top stories and questions as we move into 2023. Buckle up.

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

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Lost at Sea: Ukraine Struggles to Revive Ag Sector

Lost at Sea: Ukraine Struggles to Revive Ag Sector

Uncertainties over Ukraine's ability to export ag products have resurfaced following news of Putin’s decision to withdraw from an international agreement. Trade manages to continue, but once again the stability of the global food system has been called into serious question.

Food Production, Food Security, Food Trade

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Fertilizer Restrictions' Unintended Consequences

Fertilizer Restrictions' Unintended Consequences

Want to cut greenhouse gases? Mandate less fertilizer use...right? Farmers and others ask if we know what that really means for our food security. Beware the perils of unintended consequences.

Food Regulations & Policy, Soil and Crop Management

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Science or Suspicion: Which Dictates Gene Editing's Future?

Science or Suspicion: Which Dictates Gene Editing's Future?

The British government’s proposed regulations governing gene editing have reignited the simmering debate. But while talks rage on, the world’s food system still waits and waits.

Food Technology, Future of Food

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Global Trade Can't Happen without Ocean Freight

Global Trade Can't Happen without Ocean Freight

Ocean transportation offers exceptional advantages in cost, efficiency and environmental concerns. But keeping the ships sailing smoothly across busy and sometimes troubled seas takes a lot of effort – in ways we might not always recognize.

Food Trade

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Railroads Drive Lower Costs, Fewer Emissions

Railroads Drive Lower Costs, Fewer Emissions

Each year, railroads provide the enormous carrying capacity needed to efficiently move billions of tons of everyday products...all while releasing fewer emissions.

Food Trade

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Why Are Shelves Empty? Ask A Trucker

Why Are Shelves Empty? Ask A Trucker

The effects of the pandemic linger across all industries, but perhaps most with transportation. Difficulties facing trucking show its rippling effects throughout the supply chain. Can anything be done to correct its course?

Food Production, Food Trade

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The Caveman Diet: Should Our Diets Really Evolve?

The Caveman Diet: Should Our Diets Really Evolve?

We all care about diet and the important role it plays in our health. But how do we know what choices to make when our heads tell us one thing and our natural instincts might say something very different?

Diet, Health

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Ukraine: Quiet Pawn in Quest for Food Security

Ukraine: Quiet Pawn in Quest for Food Security

Current tensions can be traced to its geography, history, and geopolitics. And, surprising to some, its role as a major player in the global food system.

Food Security, Food Trade

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Supply Chain, Inflation & Climate Change

Supply Chain, Inflation & Climate Change

We're taking a moment to look back at some of the big issues and news items in 2021 to set the stage for what should be another year of change.

Climate Change, Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade

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How Is Ag Helping Battle Climate Change?

How Is Ag Helping Battle Climate Change?

Despite ag's substantial carbon footprint, cropland can offset greenhouse gases and regenerate healthy soil. Few if any other sectors have the opportunity to help battle climate change while reducing costs, improving yields, and boosting farm profits.

Conservation, Soil and Crop Management

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The Labor Shortage: Lack of Workers or Lack of Willing Workers?

The Labor Shortage: Lack of Workers or Lack of Willing Workers?

Labor shortages plague every sector of our current economy, leading to significant supply chain issues affecting everyday products. With available ag jobs growing, why is this happening? And how will we be affected?

Food Production

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The Gabels: From Wall Street to little Grassy Creek

The Gabels: From Wall Street to little Grassy Creek

Farming can be far more than a profession or a bottom line. Meet two very special people who have traded the traditional model of career success for something they find even more rewarding. Welcome to little Grassy Creek Farm.

Animal Welfare and Health, Soil and Crop Management

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Keeping Score on Biden's Ag Initiatives

Keeping Score on Biden's Ag Initiatives

Six months into the Biden Administration, Washington claims a mixed scorecard of fulfilling the promises made during the 2020 campaign. Let’s take a look at some of the food and ag-related hits and misses recorded so far.

Food Regulations & Policy

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Drought: The “Hidden Global Crisis”

Drought: The “Hidden Global Crisis”

The United Nations recently called drought “a hidden global crisis”. What causes drought, and what can we do about it? And should we worry about its effects on our food supply?

Climate Change, Food Security

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The Protein Blues: Confessions of a Confirmed Carnivore

The Protein Blues: Confessions of a Confirmed Carnivore

Join Garland's journey as he forages through the implications -- and inconveniences -- of all the modern-day protein options.

Food Production, Food Technology

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Why are my groceries so expensive right now?

Why are my groceries so expensive right now?

We’re seeing the largest increases in inflation in years. It’s happening across the board in apparel, vehicles, housing, insurance, recreation - you name it. And, needless to say, our food supply isn't immune to these increases, either...

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security

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Are Farmer Protests in India a Cautionary Tale for Americans?

Are Farmer Protests in India a Cautionary Tale for Americans?

India aims to provide subsidies for farm producers while maintaining artificially low food prices, but it's created an explosive situation. It's a cautionary tale for all food systems to keep policy and economics aligned. 

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security

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Regenerative Ag in Your Own Backyard

Regenerative Ag in Your Own Backyard

To an expanding array of people from the inner city to suburbia and beyond, the ideas behind the regenerative ag movement are changing our thinking about the role we play in sustaining our food system...and the health of our environment.

Soil and Crop Management

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What Do the Suez Canal and Covid Have in Common?

What Do the Suez Canal and Covid Have in Common?

More than you'd think. The blockage may be over, but the after-effects will linger. As we saw during Covid, significant disruption to the global supply chain extends all the way to consumers. So what should we prepare for? 

Food Trade

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Don’t Look Now, But They’re Gaining on Us

Don’t Look Now, But They’re Gaining on Us

U.S. ag is one of the most productive, efficient, and well-developed systems on the planet. But Brazil and Argentina have quickly and impressively developed complex global food & ag systems. What does this mean for us?

Food Production, Food Trade

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What is the Biden Era Agricultural Agenda?

What is the Biden Era Agricultural Agenda?

Congress and the new Biden Administration are targeting social issues and climate change, but Covid, the farm economy, and trade relations with China must remain front and center. With all of these critical issues in the balance, what ag policy changes can we expect?

Climate Change, Food Regulations & Policy

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Digging into the Biden Era Agricultural Agenda

Digging into the Biden Era Agricultural Agenda

The 2020 elections ushered in a new era of leadership – and a different set of priorities – for food and agriculture. Expect to see a much more aggressive focus on social issues and climate change from both Congress and the new Biden Administration. While Covid, the farm economy, and trade relations with China also will remain front and center on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, don’t look for radical change in agricultural policy that will substantively change the food picture for American consumers or foreign customers.

Food Regulations & Policy

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Around the World at My Local Restaurant

Around the World at My Local Restaurant

Whoa - I traveled much farther than down the block for this delicious meal...

Food Trade

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Learning to live with - or without - Ethanol *Click for poll results!*

Learning to live with - or without - Ethanol *Click for poll results!*

What is ethanol, and why is it such a big deal? And should we act to preserve an established program important to farmers, rural America and environmentalists, or look for other ways that make better economic sense?

Food Regulations & Policy

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China Assumes Central Role in Global Trade Picture

China Assumes Central Role in Global Trade Picture

With the U.S.-China relationship fraught with geopolitical issues, how will our supply-demand connection affect food security?

Food Trade

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If You Can't Say Anything Nice...

If You Can't Say Anything Nice...

Here are some of our favorite stories that make our official “Covidiot” list. We advise you not to try any of these at home – we don’t want to add any more shockingly silly actions to our expertly refined list of absurdity.

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A Farmer's Life on the U.S.-Mexico Border

A Farmer's Life on the U.S.-Mexico Border

Farmers, ranchers, and the industry at large depend on an immigrant workforce to help with food production every year. But how can we continue to fortify an agricultural workforce while protecting farmers at the border?

Agricultural Labor

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Dairy: An Industry in Quiet Turmoil

Dairy: An Industry in Quiet Turmoil

Dairy has been hit hard recently, but the truth is that the U.S. dairy sector has had problems long before COVID. The pandemic has only made things worse. A lot worse...

Food Production

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Where is our Food?!

Where is our Food?!

It’s enough to make anyone concerned. Maybe even a bit worried. What is happening to our food supply during the pandemic?

Food Production, Food Security

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A Virtual Happy Hour with Vegan Wine

A Virtual Happy Hour with Vegan Wine

With social distancing, we're not at the mercy of a small wine list at a local pub. So should we start our virtual happy hour with something vegan? But aren't grapes an inherently vegan product? Animal products have a role in wine production, and vegan consumers should be aware.

Food Ingredients, Food Production

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Coronavirus and Our Food: Should We Be Scared?

Coronavirus and Our Food: Should We Be Scared?

As coronavirus COVID-19 spreads globally, how concerned should we be for our safety? And should we fear transmission of the virus via our food, especially among imported products?

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety

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Public Opinion: A Misguided Discussion on GMOs

Public Opinion: A Misguided Discussion on GMOs

It started as pleasantries in a small-town parking lot, but when GMOs came up, the conversation took a turn for the worse. What happens next is a clash between science, opinion, and its effect on our food system.

Food Technology

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2 Trade Deals and Plant Food in a Pear Tree: Top News in 2019

2 Trade Deals and Plant Food in a Pear Tree: Top News in 2019

2019 has been a wild ride! News about our food and how we get it – from dirt to dinner – have had us on the edge of our seats...

Animal Welfare and Health, Food Production, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety, Food Trade, Soil and Crop Management

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Our Agricultural Extension Service: From Gardening to Food Safety

Our Agricultural Extension Service: From Gardening to Food Safety

Our agricultural extension services program is designed to teach people not just how to farm productively, but how we all can benefit, from gardening to food safety practices. And just in time for a few tips before Thanksgiving!

Soil and Crop Management

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The African Swine Fever Epidemic: Are We at Risk?

The African Swine Fever Epidemic: Are We at Risk?

Many of us are unaware of issues affecting our food supply. But what if the pork products we place in our grocery carts became harder to find? The devastating disease, African Swine Fever, has made this a potential reality in Asia.

Food Safety, Food Trade

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Back to Business: D2D News Recap

Back to Business: D2D News Recap

With summer winding down and kids returning to school, it’s time once again to catch up on some food & ag news from around the world. It’s been a busy time, with lots of news we at Dirt-to-Dinner found to be important, interesting, sometimes outrageous and occasionally funny. Here it is, in case you missed it...

Climate Change, Food Regulations & Policy, Food Security, Food Trade

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What Really Drives the Price of Our Food?

What Really Drives the Price of Our Food?

Many factors affect the price of the food we place in our grocery carts each week. How do farmers and food manufacturers price their goods to maintain a smooth and steady delivery of the food we need at a price buyers are willing to pay?

Food Trade

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What Are Dead Zones…and is Ag to Blame?

What Are Dead Zones…and is Ag to Blame?

Each year, “dead zones” – large bodies of water lacking the oxygen needed to support aquatic life - appear all around the world. This summer’s flooding in the Midwest has made it worse. How does this happen? And what can we do?

Climate Change, Food Production, Soil and Crop Management

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Pet Food for Thought

Pet Food for Thought

The FDA recently stated that several specialty dog food formulations have led to canine heart disease. With so many food choices today, what should we feed our pets?

Food Ingredients, Food Production, Health

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My Nightmare Meal: A Personal Reflection of Our Food System

My Nightmare Meal: A Personal Reflection of Our Food System

Ag Secretary Perdue recently told us not to fear our food. Have we really come to the point that people must be told by a cabinet-level government official that their food supply is okay to eat?

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Safety

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Venezuela in Crisis: A Starving Nation

Venezuela in Crisis: A Starving Nation

Hungry citizens, lost jobs, violence, and a mass exodus of millions. It’s the story of a society melting down before our very eyes. How are Venezuelans managing to eat?

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