China deals ‘body blow’ to struggling U.S. Farm Belt [Wall Street Journal]
The U.S. Farm Belt braced for deeper pain from the escalating trade battle between the world’s two biggest economies after China said it would suspend all imports of U.S. agricultural goods. China’s move will affect farmers raising fuzzy green soybean pods in Illinois, milking cows in California and feeding hogs in North Carolina, all of whom have seen business suffer as a result of tariffs that Chinese officials implemented last year. China’s suspension of U.S. farm purchases is a “body blow” to U.S. farmers and ranchers, said Zippy Duvall, a Georgia farmer and head of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “We urge negotiators to redouble their efforts to arrive at an agreement, and quickly,” he said.
Latest move in US-China trade war could impact Valley farmers [KFSN-TV, Fresno]
China is stepping away from all U.S. farm product imports as a trade war heats up between the world’s two largest economies. “The surprise isn’t there, but that doesn’t soften the blow what so ever,” said Fresno County Farm Bureau Ryan Jacobsen….Just as a majority of all agriculture commodities are being harvested or are about to be harvested now, a large number of those products end up in foreign markets, such as China….Fourth-generation Selma farmer John Chandler remains optimistic that the two sides can reach an agreement soon but understands this could be political posturing by China.
https://abc30.com/politics/latest-move-in-us-china-trade-war-could-impact-valley-farmers/5445718/
Opinion: Trump may get an earful from the heartland [Wall Street Journal]
Flyover country has had enough of the tariff spat with China. During the past several days, shares of industrial, farming, oil and transportation companies have been punished. That is a reflection of the threat to their revenue and the livelihoods of the people they employ. Business leaders are starting to speak up, and President Trump may be forced to listen to them….The agriculture business is one of the hardest hit, and its leaders are irritated.
Tulare politician Connie Conway lands USDA appointment in Trump administration [Visalia Times-Delta]
Tulare politician Connie Conway’s deep GOP connections have paid off: The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Monday she was appointed as the new state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. Conway, 68, served on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors from 2000 to 2008. She represented Tulare County in the California State Assembly from 2008 to 2014. In 2010, Conway was elected as the Assembly Republican Leader….The job, according to a USDA press release, is responsible for implementing Trump Administration policies and running the day-to-day activities of the state FSA office.
U.S. has lost 24 million acres of natural land in 16 years: Independent report [REUTERS]
The United States has lost the equivalent of nine Grand Canyon national parks, or 24 million acres (9712455.41 hectares) of natural area, between 2001 and 2017 due to agriculture, energy development, housing sprawl and other human factors, making the country more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, according to a report released Tuesday. The study by progressive think tank Center for American Progress titled “How Much Nature Should America Keep” said the U.S. needs to set a goal to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030 to stem the rapid decline of natural areas, which will protect the country from the worst impacts of climate change and wildlife extinction.
Apple Hill is suffering from hordes of tourists. Here’s how locals are adjusting [Sacramento Bee]
Apple season traffic isn’t just frustrating for visitors: Some locals fear it’s hurting business and the landscape….While the visitors are important to farms and ranches, some say too much traffic can also hurt sales. Last year, it was so bad on Highway 50 that High Hill Ranch owner Him Visman told CBS it was driving away customers. But Apple Hill Growers say there are simple solutions, among them weekday and early-bird visits.
