The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday said contract poultry and hog growers are eligible to receive relief funds through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

President-elect Joe Biden on Monday nominated five deputies to serve in the second spots of federal agencies, rounding out leadership that can take over governing after he is inaugurated on Wednesday. (Bloomberg)

Researchers are looking at how COVID stressors, including food insecurity are affecting families. (WFMZ)

Bindi, a 5-year-old Australian shepherd owned by New York Farm Bureau member Sonja Galley, was named the 2021 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year at this year’s American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention. (High Plains Journal)

The coronavirus pandemic forced many international meetings to be canceled or go online in 2020, and it continues to cast its shadow over the trade and economic calendar in 2021. (Politico)

The most recent Farm Bill legalized hemp production nationwide, but left individual states in charge of the oversight. As the crop continues to roll out across the Midwest, some states are seeing more success than others. But farmers generally remain optimistic about hemp’s future. (KOSU)