The institute urges spreading money to smaller farms and starter farms and opening markets for healthier, locally grown fruits and vegetables. And, thanks to billions of dollars in farm subsidies, corn is far cheaper than other important Michigan crops, which do not get a penny in subsidies. House and Senate give a nod to fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops -- $3 billion in the Senate bill. But a growing number of activists, including many in West Michigan, are demanding a food...

Department of Agriculture official urged California farmers and industry leaders Friday to back the Bush administration's farm bill plans, even as lawmakers on Capitol Hill debate costlier versions of the multi-billion- dollar legislation. But Congress is offering those growers a small slice of a $286 billion measure that would keep subsidizing major crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton and rice -- a long-standing practice that critics want to curtail in favor of land conservation,...

Also, if anyone was worried about telling the difference between fruits and veggies raised with or without pesticides at the local farmers market, there is little chance of that changing anytime soon. Katie Auman-Bauer, spokeswoman for the state's integrated pest management program, which encourages farmers to use as little pesticide as possible during production, said that is key for local farmers markets. Ryder said the ruling on labels directly on products is within the agriculture...

Supermarkets have been especially interested in expanding their market shares on the already saturated wholesale market. TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's three main chains of supermarkets have been increasing price-bargain campaigns, in the wake of the recent price rise on staple food products nationwide, Chinese-language media reported yesterday. Carrefour has also launched its staple food campaign, called "original rice flavor, good noodles look," targeting rice, noodles, spaghetti and grains...

Or just about any other vegetable most people take for granted. In the rush to standardize agriculture, many traditional varieties have already been lost to cultivation, existing only in old farmers almanacs and musty catalogs. They are on a lifelong quest for the rarest of vegetable varieties whose reputations for taste have attained near-mythical status. The conference promotes small, local farms, many of them organic, which often specialize in heirloom varieties sought by chefs and...

Badal launches campaign for all-round development of Kandi Kangar (Rupnagar), Nov 11 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today launched a campaign for an all round development and economic regeneration in Kandi, Bet, Border and waterlogged areas of the state with a pilot project for seven villages in the Kandi area of Nurpurbedi Block in Rupnagar District today. Badal launches campaign for all-round development of Kandi Kangar (Rupnagar), Nov 11 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister...