The U.S. economy, agricultural industry, and native flora and fauna have all been spared the damage of one of the world's most destructive crop pests thanks to an interception by federal border agents working at Los Angeles International Airport. more ›

For anyone who has seen the critically-acclaimed documentary Food Inc., the faces of Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan are undoubtedly familiar. In a rare joint appearance, the two authors were joined Wednesday at USC’s Bovard Auditorium by Chef Evan Kleiman in a candid conversation about the current state of our industrialized food system. more ›

In Los Angeles, you can only own one rooster per property, but in this cash-strapped city, who is going to make it a priority and enforce that? When the rooster law was written last year, the only department given authority to write citations was the Department of Animal Services. Yes, that's one of the numerous departments earlier this year that suffered furloughs and job cuts, meaning complaints from exasperated neighbors are likely falling on deaf ears. more ›

A quarantine has been issued for "an 89-square-mile agricultural quarantine area in Los Angeles County after invasive oriental fruit flies were found in Pasadena," according to LA Now. "The area under quarantine is bordered by Figueroa Street on the west, Interstate 10 on the south, Big Santa Anita Wash to the east and the San Gabriel Mountain foothills on the north." Under these orders, plants cannot be moved from properties. The goal is to keep the infestation from spreading. The offending exotic pests, the oriental fruit fly, were found in traps in various locations in Pasadena and San Marino. To combat their spread, officials have mounted pesticide-laden bait stations. more ›

Think you can grow fruits, veggies, and flowers in your yard and sell the surplus to your friends, neighbors, and strangers? Think again. more ›

Earlier this month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared National Farmers Market Week, during which Americans were urged to try to put a visit to an area market into their routine in order to support local farmers and hopefully enrich their diets with fresh, locally sourced, healthy produce. On the heels of those eating and consumer focused efforts, Vilsack shifted his focus one step back in the chain and declared August 23-29 National Community Garden Week. more ›

The US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has declared that in light of the fact that "farmers markets are important nationwide outlets for agricultural producers," and that thousands of markets "across the country offer consumers affordable, convenient, and healthful products sold directly from the farm in their freshest possible state," and beacusw of the numerous economic and health-related benefits of getting food from them, that August 2-8 is National Farmers Market Week. Huzzah! more ›

The gardening trend is, without a doubt (and pardon the pun) growing. more ›

The forecast for California for the coming months is drought--no surprises here. In fact, it's going to be the "the fourth driest year in the last 114 years," according to KNBC.com, and we're expected to have "below-average rainfall for the third year in a row." So the Department of Water Resources is trying to get resourceful by setting up a program for growers and cities in the Southern part of the state to purchase water from farmers and water agencies located to the North, mostly in the Sacramento Valley area. more ›

Chino's Westland/Hallmark Meat Company came into the spotlight recently when secret video footage revealed staff was mistreating the animals. On the heels of this week's news that the slaughterhouse's manager could face several years in prison if charged with animal cruelty comes the news that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has recalled 143 million pounds of their frozen beef, making it "the largest beef recall in the United States," according to the Daily News. more ›

After the Humane Soceity of the United States released a video (seen below) of abused cows at a Chino slaughterhouse, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began an investigation on Wednesday. With a quick response, The California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division urged all public schools to check where their cafeteria meat was coming from and two fast food chains cut their ties with the Chino based Westland/Hallmark Meat Company.

The president of In-N-Out Burger, Mark Taylor, said Thursday his company decided to stop buying beef from the company after learning of the video. more ›

It sounds like the plot of a Charlton Heston film from the 70's, but the possibility of meat from cloned livestock has become a reality. more ›

Los Angeles is working on being the second city in the state to successfully reduce pigeon and squirrel populations by using birth control rather than killing the animals. more ›

" "Just because you've rolled horse manure in powdered sugar doesn't mean you have a doughnut": people aren't very happy with the Farm Bill, and yet the Senate still seems set on passing a totally inadequate "reformed" bill that continues to subsidize Big Agriculture at the expense of our nation's health. City officials are "identifying" Muslim communities across the city -- but it's not profiling, it's "community engagement"!! Those kooky kids at City Hall!... more ›

Although water conservation certainly isn't at the top of everyone's 'scintillating conversation' list, an article about Long Beach's declared water emergency in today's LA Times might move the topic up just a bit. Los Angeles doesn't lie in a naturally wet region - annually, we can only expect about 16 inches of rain (which makes it sort of understandable that no one who lives out here seems to be able to drive on wet... more ›

-- U.S. agricultural exports to China have increased to nearly $6.7 billion this year thanks to a sudden rise in demand for California produce, especially fruit and nuts. more ›

10:36 p.m., last night: Daily News publishes a story about 14628 Sylvan Street in Van Nuys -- the oldest house in Van Nuys built in 1911 by William Paul Whitsett (now you know where that street name came from). The article tells how this historic house is threatened by demolition for condos. Preservationists want to save the house. 8:23 a.m., this morning: LACityNerd posts and e-mail blasts the blogLAsphere about the article quoting City... more ›

Since you know LAist is crazy about bacon, how about this burger made of ground bacon? [Serious Eats] In the meat-eating corner: Ted Nugent! In the meat-free corner: Paul McCartney! Read what Nugent really thinks about the folks in the music biz he knows who have been "Fired for eating meat by an animal-rights maniac, hard-core vegan bass player." [Waco Tribune-Hearld] David Haskell of Bin 8945: Chowhounds can be so tasteless, bloggers mean business... more ›

Call it overpriced. Call it overrated. Call it crappy, sour-priced crud. But call it deceptive? Bryan Williams thinks so, and that's why the West Hollywood "legal recruiter" is suing Pinkberry, the newest craze in frozen dessert treats. Williams' lawsuit does not ask for punitive damages. He simply wants the wildly successful yogurt chain to tone down its claims that the product is frozen yogurt. A statement from a California Department of Food and Agriculture... more ›

What with all the political hubbub brewing this year over issues like The War, immigration, abortion, political corruption, we’re pretty sure the Farm Bill is going to get the shaft as far as public conversation is concerned – just like in 2002, when its passing was totally overshadowed by 9/11 and the ensuing hysteria. Frankly, it’s a damn shame. This is one issue that actually has a chance of raising bipartisan support – even... more ›

Rat poison was found on the imported wheat in the recalled pet foods and is the likely culprit of reported animal deaths & illnesses, according to the Department of Agriculture and the EPA. ABC News reports:

A source close to the investigation tells ABC News that the rodenticide, which the source says is illegal to use in the United States, was on wheat that was imported from China and used by Menu Foods in nearly 100 brands of dog and cat food. more ›

We've seen issues with spinach, Taco Bell lettuce, and most recently peanut butter, and now there is a recall on a product that is stamped ok for the South Beach Diet. more ›

Farms are like NFL referees: if they're getting noticed, that's bad news. more ›

There's a sex-scandal case going on in Oklahoma which makes LA look tame. A Federal judge allegedly used a penis pump on himself while on the bench during a trial. And yes, that's illegal, and best of all, funny.

Over the past few days, the jurors have watched a defense attorney and a prosecutor pantomime masturbation. A doctor has lectured on the lengths the defendant was willing to go to enhance his sexual performance. more ›

The locals who have been farming for the last 14 years on the land now known as the South Central Farm don't want to move; but the man who owns the property wants to turn it into a warehouse. What to do? more ›

LAist is a California hippie at heart, truly decidated to universal healthcare for all, supportive of good public schools, and a champion of the underdog. However this South Central Farm issue is one we're having a hard time getting behind. more ›

As much as LAist loves this town, we gotta admit that local pizza lovers suffer from a dearth of decent product. The L.A. Times Food section, however, gives us reason to rejoice. This article about Peppe Miele tells us how he’s keepin’ it real at Antica Pizzeria in Marina del Rey. While his L.A. Trattoria location on Third Street closed to make way for the culinary hot spot A.O.C., Miele continues to produce the only pizzas in Southern California that are certified as Genuine Neapolitan Pizza (AKA Verace Pizza Napoletana [VPN] in Italy). That’s one of twelve in the entire U.S., folks. Recent laws passed by the Ministry of Agriculture in Italy now hold Neapolitan pizza to standards that are equally rigorous as those applied to authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. more ›