U.S. Federal Attorney

Michigan leads the nation in bird flu cases in dairy herds and people as health experts caution that the virus may be more widespread than official reports.

Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service are promoting a federal initiative that is steering $32 million in urban forestry grants to Michigan.

Data from the U.S Department of Agriculture shows that food deserts in Michigan are decreasing, but Feeding America shows food insecurity is still a high factor. In the northeastern part of the state, the issue is even more present.

Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch in Ionia County let go of 400 employees and contractors as millions of birds in the state are affected with the highly pathogenic virus.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service recently announced it is discontinuing a few market surveys due to budget cuts. Some lawmakers and industry groups have expressed concern and want the decision to be reversed.

The flu has been found in cows for the first time, but most cattle seem to be showing only mild symptoms and recovering from the illness. Officials say the pasteurization process means milk remains safe.

Michigan is now the latest state in the Midwest and Great Plains to confirm an outbreak of bird flu in dairy cattle. Federal officials say the risk to human health remains low.

Student membership in the agriculture organization FFA is at an all-time high, yet the average age of farmers is rising and there are fewer farms in the U.S. than ever before. What do these shifting populations say about the future of agriculture?

A dry winter, El Niño and the warmest winter temperatures on record are contributing to ongoing dry conditions across the Midwest.

An Environmental Working Group report questions the effectiveness of some farming practices that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently added to its Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which incentives conservation practices. The USDA counters that the practices have gone through “a rigorous science-based evaluation process.”