rural communities

WSU partners with Washington State Broadband to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, providing education and training opportunities with grant funding.

Restaurant sales are forecast to exceed $1.1 trillion this year, marking a new milestone for the industry that will employ over 15.7 million people by the end of 2024.

The USDA published the 2022 Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary that shows over 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues BELOW benchmark levels established by the EPA.

The USDA says America’s agricultural exports in fiscal year 2023 are forecast at $181 billion, down $3.5 billion from the February forecast.

A group of western lawmakers last week asked the USDA and Interior Department for additional wildfire fighting resources. Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows 89.8% of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2021.

House passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act led to a slew of farm groups praising the action. The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package includes $550 billion in new spending.

Avocados from California are smaller this year and the seasonal harvest is expected to be down by as much as 30% in total pounds.

An American Farm Bureau economist says restaurants and other food-service establishments have been trying to secure beef supplies in anticipation of strong demand.

Ferndale-based CTA Inc. has satisfied its debt under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and can now operate in the produce industry again.