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The USDA Northwest & Rocky Mountain Regional FoodBusiness Center needs your help shaping its programs, Business Builder and other grant priorities, partnerships, and other investments. By taking 10-15 minutes to complete the following questionnaire,you will help us determine how to allocate funding to best meet your current business development, funding, marketing, infrastructure, supply chain, and market development needs. The questionnaire will close on November 16. Participation is anonymous and does not ask you to provide your name or other identifying information.

The latest Gallup poll revealed that Americans trust farming and ranching more than any other industry, with trust increasing by 5 percentage points from last year. Farmers, however, aren’t seen as contributors to these price hikes but as victims of inflation. A new farm bill is crucial to provide updated safety nets, but Congress has yet to pass it. Despite financial challenges, farmers remain committed to producing a safe and abundant food supply, and the industry is grateful for public trust and support as they navigate this challenging period.

The TEMCO rail expansion project at Washington’s Port of Kalama has secured a $26.3 million grant from the Federal Rail Administration’s CRISI Program. TEMCO, a joint venture between CHS Inc. and Cargill, operates the facility, which exports grains, oilseeds, and wheat to Asia-Pacific markets. The project will add over 25,000 feet of track to improve efficiency by up to 30%, allowing for continuous ship loading without repositioning railcars, which currently causes seven-hour delays. improved rail infrastructure would expedite export processes for farmers across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

University of Idaho researcher Alex Maas is leading a multi-institutional study to assess how sustainable farming practices impact air quality in the western U.S. Motivated by dusty air in Moscow, Idaho, Maas will analyze air-quality sensor data spanning two decades, focusing on how weather, harvest timing, farming practices, and non-agricultural land-use factors contribute to air quality and health outcomes. Maas hopes the findings will help policymakers understand the broader environmental impact of agricultural practices and encourage new technologies that enhance sustainability while managing unintended effects on air quality.