Articles by Chris Hinyub

Credit: naoha.org Initial foreclosure filings were 6 percent higher last month than in July 2011, according to RealtyTrac. Year-over-year, initial foreclosure notice filings to distressed homeowners has increased for three months in a row. Experts expect a continued uptick in defaults as the nation's largest banks enjoy more freedom from litigation following a nationwide settlement over industry-wide loan fraud. Even as foreclosure proceedings increase, home repossessions are on the decline, s...

Western Growers, a powerful trade association representing the interests of California and Arizona specialty crop farmers, recently endorsed Mitt Romney for president, saying he subscribes to the right kind of immigration reform. The first-ever presidential endorsement by the organization is also significant for its having come before the conclusion of the primary race. Clearly, fresh produce growers are anxious to send a message to national farm policy makers: corn, soy and wheat aren't the onl...

Credit: nbcnews.com The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects food prices to rise by 3 or 4 percent in 2013 due to drought conditions being reported in most of the country. The department made the announcement Wednesday as it added 76 Midwestern counties to its growing list of Primary Natural Disaster Areas. Moderate to severe drought has gripped at least two-thirds of the contiguous United States, according to the USDA's Drought Monitor. Hot and dry weather has caused significant crop damage...

Healthier food and communities, protection of genetic diversity, lower taxes, a richer local economy..There are countless reasons to support micro-farmers and urban homesteaders who provide local food. Here is a condensed list put together by Vern Grubinger, vegetable and berry specialist at University of Vermont Extension, of why buying local food is a smart move. 1)  Locally grown food tastes and looks better. The crops are picked at their peak, and farmstead products like cheeses and are han...

According to a poll commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, an overwhelming majority of Americans want the federal government to double the value of food stamp benefits at farmers markets to ensure "fair access" to healthy, locally grown foods. Furthermore, a majority of poll participants said all levels of government – federal, state and county – should get involved to ensure such access. “Americans want produce that is healthy, affordable, green and fair,” reads a Kellogg Foundation pres...

On the heels of a new study touting the legitimate medicinal uses of marijuana and in yet another violation of its oath not to interfere with state laws, the Obama administration is threatening to shut down the nation's largest medical marijuana dispensary. Earlier this week, federal Complaints for Forfeiture were filed by the U.S. attorney for Northern California against the owners of properties in Oakland and San Jose where Harborside Health Center operates. The tactic puts pressure on the pr...

When Senate leaders said last week that they had finally reached a deal on freezing student loan rates for one more year, many wondered how it could be passed by both houses before July 1 when rates were set to double. Ultimately, it was determined that a negotiated version of a Senate highway bill passed back in March would act as the vehicle. Linking the two disparate measures might have been the only option that ensured their timely passage, sure. But that's probably exactly what leadership ...

Credit: newyorker.com Due to ongoing drought conditions, the USDA has just declared more than 1,000 counties natural disaster areas, making it the largest natural disaster in America ever. Not good news at any time but especially disheartening for conventional thinkers who've yet to grapple with an ominous report out of the University of Minnesota that predicts world food demand will double by 2050. Ever optimistic, or perhaps unphased by conventional wisdom, the local food movement offers a co...

USDA rule changes proposed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack would not only benefit the local food movement but would make for more effective use of Farm Service Agency (FSA) resources, says the Department of Agriculture. Earlier this month USDA officials began a tour of the Western United States, seeking public comment on their proposal to offer microloans to beginning and specialty farmers. With a loan cap of $35,000, microloans would cater to very small start-ups. So far the feedback h...