Ag Day on the Hill: FFA and 4‑H leaders and Tennessee farmers highlight youth programs, forestry and local processing During Ag Day, National FFA and Tennessee 4‑H officers, farmers and conservation representatives addressed the House Agriculture committee, announcing a $45.25 million investment in 4‑H and urging support for forestry and local agriculture businesses.

Tennessee's Ag Day showcased powerful voices advocating for a $45.25 million boost in youth programs and the vital role of forestry in the state's economy.

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#TN #TennesseeAgriculture #CitizenPortal #ForestrySustainability #LocalAgriculture #YouthEducation

Mission council directs staff to amend Texas Citrus Fiesta bylaws after heated public comments After a week of public comments both defending and criticizing the Texas Citrus Fiesta (TCF), Mission city council voted 3–2 to direct staff to prepare amendments to the TCF's governing documents for council consideration on March 10, 2026.

The Mission City Council's recent vote to amend the Texas Citrus Fiesta bylaws has sparked a fiery debate over transparency and the festival's future—what's really at stake?

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#MissionHidalgoCounty #TX #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #MissionCouncil #LocalAgriculture

Committee advances raw-milk bill with expanded testing, licensing and tiered regulation The Senate Business and Labor Committee favorably recommended the third substitute of House Bill 179 (raw milk regulatory overhaul) by a recorded 7-0 vote after adopting substitutes and hearing industry and consumer testimony that the measure balances availability with testing, licensing, and outbreak safeguards.

Utah's Senate just voted 7-0 to advance a groundbreaking bill that could revolutionize raw milk availability while ensuring safety through expanded testing and licensing!

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#UT #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryReform #LocalAgriculture #FoodSafety

Subcommittee advances shrimp‑origin labeling bill after brief debate Lawmakers advanced H.4248, requiring conspicuous country‑of‑origin labeling for shrimp and shrimp products on menus and packaging; sponsor cited recent state actions in neighboring states and industry support.

A new bill in South Carolina aims to ensure that shrimp lovers know exactly where their seafood is coming from, as recent DNA tests revealed misleading labels.

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#SC #ConsumerProtection #CitizenPortal #FoodLabeling #SouthCarolinaShrimp #LocalAgriculture

Fremont County approves permanent agritainment permit for Diana’s Pumpkin Patch with waivers and conditions The Fremont County Board of County Commissioners approved SRU25-002, granting Diana’s Pumpkin Patch a permanent agritainment special review use for seasonal operations Sept. 20–Oct. 31, with waivers on some surfacing requirements and nine conditions including a $578 annual road-impact fee and hard surfacing of six ADA spaces before the 2026 season.

Fremont County has officially approved Diana’s Pumpkin Patch for year-round agritainment, promising exciting seasonal attractions while addressing community concerns!

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#FremontCounty #CO #CitizenPortal #AccessibilityStandards #LocalAgriculture

Carolina Renewables outlines Orangeburg plant to turn wood chips into renewable diesel and biochar Carolina Renewable Products’ CEO Robert Bridal told the committee his Orangeburg facility will dry and micro-chip mill residuals, use high-temperature pyrolysis and syngas conversion to produce renewable diesel, and aims to begin accepting chips in Orangeburg by year-end.

Carolina Renewable Products is set to transform the wood industry in Orangeburg by turning wood chips into 43 million gallons of renewable diesel annually, creating a sustainable future for local landowners and sawmills.

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#SC #CitizenPortal #WasteToEnergy #LocalAgriculture

🚜 IMSPARK: The Pacific Growing Its Own Future🚜

#AgriConnect, #BluePacific, #EconomicInclusion, #FoodSovereignty, #FoodSystems, #IMSPARK, #LocalAgriculture, #Pacific, #Prosperity, #Resilient, #SmallholderEmpowerment,

imaginepacific.substack.com/p/imspark-th...

🚜 IMSPARK: The Pacific Growing Its Own Future🚜

#AgriConnect, #BluePacific, #EconomicInclusion, #FoodSovereignty, #FoodSystems, #IMSPARK, #LocalAgriculture, #Pacific, #Prosperity, #Resilient, #SmallholderEmpowerment,

imaginepacific.substack.com/p/imspark-th...

Vermont advocates and agriculture agency clash on how to define municipal authority and a broad 'right to grow food' Advocates urged the Legislature to restore a long-standing municipal exemption for agriculture and secure a broad "right to grow food" protecting backyard producers; the Agency of Agriculture proposed acreage rules for livestock and urged targeted statutory fixes to fill gaps in earlier definitions.

Vermont's agriculture advocates are fighting to restore the right to grow food and protect small-scale farming from restrictive local zoning laws.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #ZoningReform #FoodSecurity #VermontAgriculture #LocalAgriculture

Vermont Food Bank asks legislature for $1.5 million to fully fund farmers‑to‑food‑shelves program The Vermont Food Bank urged the committee to approve a $1.5 million FY26 budget adjustment to expand the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters program, which purchases local food at market rates for distribution through food shelves and partner sites. The House included $400,000 in its draft adjustment; committee asked for documentation.

The Vermont Food Bank is seeking $1.5 million to revive its Vermonters Feeding Vermonters program, which supports local farms while feeding communities in need.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #CommunitySupport #VermontFoodBank #LocalAgriculture

Planning commission backs Title 21 changes to ease food production and commercial horticulture in Anchorage The Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend Assembly approval of a Title 21 amendment (PCC case 20260003) that expands where and how food and beverage production, hobby farms, beekeeping and farmers markets may operate in the Anchorage Bowl. The change includes use-specific limits and directs staff to refine enforcement details.

Big changes are coming to Anchorage's food scene as the Planning Commission moves to ease zoning restrictions for agriculture, allowing more farmers markets and even beekeeping across the city!

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#AnchorageMunicipality #AK #AnchorageAgriculture #ZoningReform #LocalAgriculture

Vermont Food Bank: Vermonters Feeding Vermonters has purchased from 17 farms and seeks $1.5M budget adjustment The Vermont Food Bank told a legislative committee it spent $507,000 on Vermont-grown produce from 17 farms since July 1, has purchased about 327,176 pounds of food, and will seek a $1.5 million budget adjustment this fiscal year and a larger FY27 request.

The Vermont Food Bank has invested over $500,000 in local produce to feed its community and is now pushing for a $1.5 million budget boost to expand this vital program!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #CommunityNutrition #LocalAgriculture #FoodAccessibility #VermontFoodSecurity

Committee adopts amendment and advances Keystone Fresh Farm to School bill House Bill 17‑68, renamed by amendment the Keystone Fresh Farm to School Nutrition Act, was amended to align definitions with USDA and Education Department programs, add prioritization for high-need schools, and require biannual reporting; the committee reported the amended bill out.

A groundbreaking new bill aims to boost Pennsylvania-grown food in schools, enhance student nutrition, and support local farmers—transforming lunchrooms across the state!

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#PA #CitizenPortal #NutritionImprovement #FoodSecurity #LocalAgriculture #PennsylvaniaSchools

Board approves USBE partnership to apply for federal Farm-to-School grant with 25% in‑kind match The board approved staff partnering with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food to apply for a FY26 Patrick Leahy Farm-to-School grant; the application would require a 25% in‑kind match from USBE (staff time) and included $260,000 in state funds already set aside for local food purchases.

Utah schools are one step closer to serving fresh, local fruits like cherries and peaches, thanks to a new partnership aiming to boost farm-to-school connections!

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#UT #CitizenPortal #FreshFoodAccess #LocalAgriculture

Sponsor seeks task force to boost local and organic food access under Senate Bill 233 Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson presented sponsor testimony for Senate Bill 233, which would create an Ohio local and organic food and farm task force to recommend policies and funding to expand local food production and access; sponsor cited state food-insecurity data and proposed a two-year planning and sunset period.

Senate Bill 233 aims to tackle food insecurity in Ohio by creating a task force to boost access to local and organic foods, addressing the needs of over 1.6 million food-insecure residents.

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#OH #FoodInsecurity #CitizenPortal #OrganicFarming #LocalAgriculture

Alachua County releases market analysis for proposed Fresh Food Pathways food hub A market analysis released to county commissioners found demand and potential pilot opportunities for a multi-purpose food hub that would help local farmers reach institutions, retailers and residents; next steps include pilot projects and a business plan.

Alachua County is taking bold steps to launch a Fresh Food Pathways hub aimed at boosting local agriculture and tackling food insecurity—could this be the solution our community needs?

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#AlachuaCounty #FL #CommunityEconomy #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #LocalAgriculture

Tennessee training outlines Farm to School expansion, grants and student competition At a recorded departmental training, Farm to School and grant specialist Lindsay Paul reviewed farm-to-school program components, statewide participation, procurement tips, the junior chef competition and available grants and resources.

Discover how Tennessee's Farm to School program is transforming school nutrition, empowering students, and connecting communities through local food!

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#TN #CitizenPortal #HealthyEating #EducationInitiatives #TennesseeFarmToSchool #LocalAgriculture

Agriculture Commission Plans December Meeting to Address Member Vacancy Commission will discuss filling vacancy and next meeting date on December 1.

The Templeton Agricultural Commission is in urgent need of new members to fill a vacancy that could impact crucial decision-making—will you step up for local agriculture?

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#MA #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvolvement #LocalAgriculture

Agriculture Leaders Discuss Economic Support for Small Farmers in Local Community Leaders emphasize need for practical measures to support small farmers' economic growth.

Lawmakers are rallying for urgent support for small farmers, emphasizing that "without agriculture, there is no life"—but will their measures truly make a difference?

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#US #CitizenPortal #PuertoRicoAgriculture #LocalAgriculture #EconomicSupport

Center for Human Flourishing Secures Liquor License for Annual Potato Day Fundraiser Center for Human Flourishing aims for sustainable funding at this year's Potato Day festival.

Carbondale's beloved Potato Day is getting a major upgrade with a new liquor license that promises to blend tradition and community support like never before!

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#CarbondaleGarfieldCounty #CO #CitizenPortal #CulturalCelebration #CarbondalePotatoDay #LocalAgriculture

Curry County Building Division Tags Farmer's Market For Safety Violations Curry County issues dangerous building tag to farmer's market owner Richard Yock for safety noncompliance.

Curry County officials are cracking down on a local farmer's market that's been tagged as dangerous due to serious safety violations.

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#CurryCounty #OR #PublicSafety #CurryCountyFarmersMarket #LocalAgriculture #CommunityCompliance

Fox 45 to Showcase Carroll County Barn Quilts Featuring Family Farms Three barn quilt family farms will be featured on Fox 45 at 5:45 PM.

Carroll County is weaving a vibrant tapestry of local art and agriculture with its stunning barn quilt program, celebrating community pride and attracting visitors from afar.

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#CarrollCounty #MD #CulturalPride #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #LocalAgriculture

Beaver County Youth Prepare for Cedar Show with 110 Animals Eighty-five kids from Beaver County showcase various animals at the upcoming Cedar Show.

Beaver County's youth are taking center stage with 110 animals set to shine at the Cedar Show, showcasing their hard work and community spirit!

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#UT #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #LocalAgriculture

Local Farmers Discuss Partnerships to Improve School Meal Quality and Cost-Effectiveness School officials explore local partnerships to enhance meal offerings and reduce costs.

Local schools are exploring partnerships with farmers to enhance nutrition and cut costs, sparking a crucial conversation about the future of student meals.

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#NC #CitizenPortal #CostEffectiveness #NorthCarolinaSchools #LocalAgriculture #StudentNutrition

School District Partners with McLean's for Local Beef in Lunch Program District secures 500 pounds of Nebraska beef for school lunches starting this fall.

Norris School District is bringing local flavor to school lunches with 500 pounds of Nebraska beef set to debut this fall!

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#NE #CitizenPortal #LocalAgriculture #FoodSafety #StudentNutrition

Donald Trump and Allies Promote Printed Newspapers at Wyoming Event Trump, Kelly, Bannon, and Kirk support local newspapers during an event in Wyoming.

The Weston County Fair is making a triumphant return in 2025, promising exciting new attractions and a celebration of local culture that you won't want to miss!

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#WestonCounty #WY #CitizenPortal #CulturalCelebration #WestonCountyFair #CommunityEngagement #LocalAgriculture

Committee Considers Hosting Event At Fall Festival Amid Farmers Market Delays Committee explores alternative activities after challenges with the farmers market startup.

Lakeville's Agricultural Commission is exploring a vibrant partnership with the fall festival to revive the farmers market and boost community spirit!

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#MA #CitizenPortal #LakevilleAgriculture #CommunityEngagement #EventCollaboration #LocalAgriculture

Board Member Proposes Support for Farmers and Cranberry Production in Lakeville Board member drafts outreach to support farmers and address cranberry production concerns.

The Lakeville Agricultural Commission is poised to empower local farmers with a new "Right to Farm" bylaw, ensuring that agricultural practices thrive in the community.

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#MA #CitizenPortal #LakevilleAgriculture #CommunitySupport #SustainableFarming #LocalAgriculture

Lakeville Agricultural Commission discusses farmers market challenges and fall event ideas Commission struggles to find market manager and considers future harvest event.

The Lakeville Agricultural Commission is battling to launch a farmers market this year, but hope remains alive as they brainstorm ideas for a vibrant fall harvest event!

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#MA #CitizenPortal #LakevilleAgriculture #CommunityEngagement #EventPlanning #LocalAgriculture

Omaheke Council begins clearing land for community garden Omaheke Council begins clearing land for community garden NBC Online Tue, 08/19/2025 - 18:00

#CommunityGardens #OmahekeCouncil #SustainableLiving #Gardening #LocalAgriculture