Tag Archives: USDA

Texas sues USDA over LGBTQ protections

Posted on July 28, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the story, which I’ll get to in a minute. It might be best to try to summarize this more accurately, because this is one of those technical situations where it takes a lot of qualifiers to get at what’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

School could be out for awhile

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We got the news on Thursday that HISD schools were going to be closed until March 31 due to coronavirus. (This week is spring break, so the kids got an extra day off before the start of break, then a … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Where have all the Christmas tree farmers gone?

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

They’re not growing them like they used to. Across the U.S., Christmas tree farmers are getting out of the business. Illinois lost dozens of farmers in recent years, dropping from 212 growers in 2012 to 182 farmers in 2017, according … Continue reading →

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Carrizo cane and French wasps

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I love stories like this. They’ve burned it, bulldozed it, hacked it and poisoned it. Now they want to try wasps – imported from France, no less. The target is carrizo cane, a bamboo-like reed that’s a fearsome enemy of … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A poison plan for feral hogs?

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It could work, though probably not any time soon. A preservative used to cure bacon is being tested as poison for the nation’s estimated 5 million feral hogs. […] The USDA program that began in April includes $1.5 million for … Continue reading →

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Feral hogs cross the border

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

You can’t stop them, and hoping to contain them is not looking so likely, too. If nothing else, the voracious wild hogs that years ago destroyed the lucrative melon and cantaloupe harvests in this isolated border city — and are … Continue reading →

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We’re exporting feral hogs

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

You’re welcome, neighboring states. Feral pigs have already taken over Texas and are expanding their numbers in other states, but federal and state land managers think they have a chance to tip the balance in New Mexico. They’re willing to … Continue reading →

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The Houston Food Bank could use your help

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Times are tough, y’all. Despite a growing demand, food banks, charities and pantries face a dwindling supply of products to distribute to Houston’s hungry this holiday season. Food banks in Houston and across the country have less to give away … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Rick Perry and pink slime

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Two great tastes that taste great together. Gov. Rick Perry is defending so-called “pink slime” in a statement issued in conjunction with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman and South Dakota Lt. Gov. Matt … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Pink slime

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know if you’ve been following the “pink slime” debate, but Bettina Siegel, who is one of the main catalysts behind it, had an op-ed in the Chron that summarized the main arguments. Last week, the online publication The … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

New school food coming

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

No more mystery meat. School lunches, long saddled with an unhealthy reputation, are getting a makeover. Instead of salt-doused fried foods, highly processed white bread and sugar-laden desserts, cafeteria trays will be carrying whole wheat pizza, leafy green and orange … Continue reading →

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There are lots of hungry people in Texas

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. Millions of Texans are at risk of going hungry, and the resources available to many low-income families aren’t enough, according to new data released [Wednesday] by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Texas Food Bank Network. The … Continue reading →

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The state of school food

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Bettina has a feature story in Houston Family magazine about the current state of school food, which takes into account recently passed legislation by Congress and what’s going on in HISD. She also has a report from an HISD “Nutrition … Continue reading →

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Progress on food stamps

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. With hundreds of new workers on board, Texas has dramatically improved its speed and accuracy processing food stamp applications, Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs [told] state lawmakers [last week]. But he’ll also tell the joint … Continue reading →

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Feds fine Texas for food stamp failures

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Our longstanding food stamp problems continue to cost the state of Texas millions of dollars. Federal officials have fined Texas $3.96 million for errors in issuing food stamp benefits, according to a letter sent to House Speaker Joe Straus. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Monitoring the food stamps problem

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Sens. Judith Zaffirini and Tommy Williams will be keeping an eye on the food stamps situation. Zaffirini said in an interview that she and Williams will work with Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs on hiring more … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Feds to Texas: Fix food stamps!

Posted on October 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Yet another (bad) way in which our state has distinguished itself. Federal officials say Texas should appoint a food stamp czar to take charge of fixing the application backlogs and high error rates plaguing the program. “All states are feeling … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Justice for Hispanic farmers

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I received an email about this and thought it was worth passing on. Hispanic farmers and ranchers deserve justice! Join us in calling on President Obama to end discrimination and bring transparency to USDA-administered farm programs. Sign the petition online here. … Continue reading →

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“Crazy ants” becoming a bigger menace

Posted on August 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall hearing about the “crazy ants”, also known as Rasberry ants, last year. They’re apparently gaining a large foothold in Texas and other states, and are threatening honeybees wherever they go. The range of the so-called Rasberry crazy … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The real Coke classic

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

True aficionados know, if you really want the kind of Coca Cola they used to make before the “New Coke” fiasco, you have to get one that was bottled in Mexico. Coca-Cola Classic, as it has been known since then, … Continue reading →

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