Why record-breaking trade aid for farmers could fail

History shows that trade wars and embargos lead to long-term reductions in farmers’ ability to export their wares. When President Jimmy Carter blocked grain exports to the Soviet Union, Brazil stepped up; it’s still a top exporter of soybeans. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and retaliatory tariffs from other countries, are not only hurting export sales, but damaging the trust needed between strategic partners. Read more at Politico …

Thanks to Trump, pesticide companies are now free to kill all the endangered species they want

Pesticide runoff from farms is killing off salmon in Oregon’s Clackamas River Basin, scientists say. But under President Donald Trump, federal officials aren’t testing pesticides and, according to investigative reporters, even working with pesticide officials to improve public perception of the toxic materials. Read more at Mother Jones …

Amazon expands grocery delivery from Whole Foods Market

Prime Now has added Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Palm Beach, Florida, as well as Brooklyn, lower Manhattan and parts of Long Island, New York, to its delivery service areas. The service, which launched this year, is now available in 24 cities, and will continue to expand throughout the year. Read more at HomeWorld Business …

In isolated rural California, this man is a food lifeline

Trinity County, California, is a scenic and remote area—and a food desert. Jeff England, director of the county’s food bank, drives 650 miles in one week on twisted roads to deliver produce, packaged and canned foods to low-income residents. Surprisingly, the area lacks farmers, in part because of a 1950s-era dam project. Read more at KALW …

Immigrant farmers help grow organic ag in Wisconsin and beyond

Phua Yang Thao and her husband, Blia Tou Thao, grow “mostly Caucasian vegetables” at their certified-organic farm near Spring Valley, Wisconsin. The Hmong immigrants work 13 of their 28-acre farm by hand and raise 400 chickens for both eggs and meat. They came to the United States in 1976; Blia worked for AT&T for 22 years. The couple started farming in western Wisconsin 11 years ago. Read more at Civil Eats …