Radio Features

This week marks the 79th anniversary of D-Day. The nation's farmers played a key role in the success of the D-Day invasion. Gary Crawford has more.



PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford . USDA historical expert, Anne Effland. Radio reporter, George Hicks. General Dwight D. Eisenhower. President Franklin Roosevelt.

A well over two-decade process has culminated in the recent opening of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility – the nation’s premiere animal health research site. How it came to be, and what it potentially offers is the subject of this edition of “Agriculture USA”.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Kansas State University President Richard Linton. Secretary Tom Vilsack. Julie Brewer of the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). Former U.S. Senator from Kansas Pat Roberts. Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Chovanda Jacobs Young. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Moffitt.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently came out with its forecast for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, so how does that compare to past years? Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad. Climate Prediction Center forecaster Matthew Rosencrans. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.

Nominations are now underway for seats on USDA’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Federal Advisory Committee. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Director Brian Guse

Leaders at USDA say they are working to fill staff vacancies in local offices,but they face a number of obstacles. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Terry Cosby, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator of USDA's Farm Service Agency.

Scores of small rural communities are getting an economic/jobs boost from a new USDA investment package. Gary Crawford has more.


Participants: Gary Crawford. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Caitlin Cain, CEO of Local Initiatives Support Corp.

The number of disease cases connected to ticks has more than doubled in the last 15 years, according to the CDC. Gary Crawford has more.


PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford and University of Kentucky Professor Emeritus and extension entomologist, Lee Townsend.

USDA is currently accepting applications until August for funding through one of its signature conservation programs. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Karen Woodrich of the Natural Resources Conservation Service

$3.7 billion dollars is set aside as part of USDA’s Emergency Relief and Emergency Livestock Relief programs for producers who suffered weather related disaster losses in 2022, with applications soon to be accepted. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux

It has been an almost two-decade process for the recently dedicated National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility to come to fruition. Rod Bain reports.

PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain. Secretary Tom Vilsack. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). Former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts.

Drought in the Central and Southern Plains contributed to grower decisions to abandon winter wheat crops, which in turn, greatly impacted national abandonment rates. Rod Bain reports.


PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey