Two dairy farmers are among the nine finalists in a nationwide search for farmers and ranchers who will be part of a campaign in 2013 to help connect consumers with the sources of their food. The contest is organized by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). Voting runs through Dec. 15. Last summer, USFRA began a nationwide search for farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do, want to share their stories of continuous improvement, and are actively involved today in telling those stories.

A shortage of food animal veterinarians in the U.S. is not expected to turn around anytime soon. Nationwide, only 17 percent of vets work in food animal medicine, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. In Minnesota, several rural areas have a shortage of veterinarians who work with livestock, according to the USDA.

Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma issued the following statement after the House Republican Conference re-elected him to serve a second term as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee for the 113th Congress. "It is an honor to serve in this leadership position and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue working on behalf of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural constituents.

As consumer demand for locally grown and organic foods increases, so, too, does the interest in unpasteurized – or "raw" – milk. Is milk that comes straight from a cow safe to drink? A new Purdue Extension publication helps separate fact from fiction.

As Congress continues to debate the quickly approaching "fiscal cliff," many farmers and ranchers across the U.S. are watching anxiously as the threat of an increased tax burden looms for many. Tax packages passed during the George W. Bush administration, and extended in 2010, set the current estate tax exemption at $5 million per person with a tax rate of 35 percent. If the "fiscal cliff" situation is left unsolved on Jan. 1, 2013, the estate tax exemptions will drop to only $1 million per person, with no spousal transfers allowed, and tax rates will rise to 55 percent.