http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1093194/eib111.pdf
Describes the rise in women-owned farms since 1978, the types of farms that women operate, characteristics of the women operators, and government payments to them. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R43070.pdf
The April 2013 explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in Texas has led to questions about the regulation of agricultural fertilizer. This report discusses policy issues relating to fertilizer regulation that Congress might deal with, including the inadequacies of industry self-reporting, long intervals between inspections, and public access to critical information. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/pdf/11-796.pdf
Unanimous Supreme Court decision that farmer Bowman violated Monsanto patents by trying to reuse Roundup Ready soybean seeds for late season planting. The farmer had argued that the seeds he bought from a grain elevator were not covered by the patent. The decision stopped short of covering other self-replicating technologies. From the Legal Information Institute of Cornell University
http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k13/NSDUH098/sr098-UrbanRuralRxMisuse.htm
Describes the prevalence and trend of abuse of prescription drugs and the types of drugs being abused by characteristics of the counties, whether rural, urban, or urbanized but non-metropolitan. From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Recommendations for how to increase employment opportunities in rural areas of the state. From the Governor’s Office
http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1060737/eib-109_single-pages.pdf
Provides information and data about federal programs that provide food and nutrition assistance including trends in participation, purpose of programs, and totals spent. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41622.pdf
Describes controversies over whether environmental regulations affecting agriculture, especially those dealing with air, water, energy, and chemicals, will impair economic growth and productivity or are needed to protect against adverse impacts on the environment. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists
http://initrogen.org/uploads/rte/ONW.pdf
Discusses the importance of nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and their sustainable use. From the United Nations Environment Programme