Resources

Report by the Economic Research Service, Research Education and Economics (REE), March 2018

Since 2006, annual winter losses of managed honey bee colonies have averaged 28.7 percent, approximately double the historical winter mortality rate of 15.0 percent. These elevated losses have raised concerns that agricultural and food supply chains will suffer disruptions as pollination services become more costly and less available. This study rovides an overview of the pollination services market and the mechanisms by which beekeepers, farmers, and retail food producers adjust to increasing scarcity in the pollination services market. It also examines the empirical data on pollinated crop production, pollination service fees, and annual numbers of honey bee colonies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced increased federal and private-sector support to expand and diversify the U.S. agricultural workforce by increasing opportunities in education, research and outreach. The announcement is part of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Rural Council initiative,

America the Bountiful, a collaboration with federal agencies and private-sector stakeholders to meet the growing demand for a skilled, diverse workforce in the rapidly evolving agricultural landscape.

Washington, DC, October 6, 2016 - Today, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the White House Rural Council, in collaboration with Federal agencies and private-sector stakeholders, is announcing new efforts to expand and diversify the U.S. agriculture workforce.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 10, 2015 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public comment on the development of a policy to increase access to the results of federally-funded agricultural research. Dr. Catherine Woteki, the USDA’s Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) announced today that USDA will receive comment at two live teleconferences and via email through Dec. 9, 2015.