Last Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill, sponsored by Colorado House Representative Lauren Boebert, that calls for the Interior secretary to reissue a 2020 rule removing Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf in the lower 48 states. The bill also stipulates that it could not be challenged in court. The bill passed by a 211 to 204 vote. If the bill passes in the Senate, the gray wolf will be removed from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife within 60 days of the law’s enactment. Colorado's wolf reintroduction program has cost over $8 million in its first five years through mid-2025, with the cost of relocating about 30 wolves into Colorado amounting to $3 million. If passed by the U.S. Senate, I wonder how that might impact the expensive wolves Colorado has imported into the state.
A recent study by Michigan State University found that when domestic farm employment declines by 10%, food prices of labor-intensive crops increase by around 3%. Specialty crop growers who recently launched the Grow It Here advocacy campaign, are calling for agricultural labor reform, while emphasizing the importance of a strong, stable workforce that will aid the success of American farms, while keeping food costs affordable for American consumers. In a recent webinar, the organization pointed out that wage increases with temporary visa programs and an overall decline in the availability of immigrant labor has impacted their ability to produce food that can compete with foreign producers. Members of Grow It Here includes farmers and ranchers who need workers who help them produce everything from meat, dairy, poultry products, vegetables, and they aim to amplify farmer voices to advocate for agricultural labor reform and emphasize the importance of a strong, stable workforce to sustain the success of American farms. Lisa Tate, a citrus and avocado producer in southern California, points out that labor shortage problems aren’t always immediately felt in the food system but have long-term effects on a farmers’ ability to stay in the industry. Tate added that “Addressing agricultural labor challenges isn’t just about getting through one harvest, it’s about protecting the long-term foundations of America’s food supply.”
Recently someone asked me where does mistletoe comes from and how did it became associated with Christmas. First, there are several species of mistletoe found in the U.S. with five species in the western states. Those little sprigs of mistletoe that are part of holiday decorations look mighty benign, but in forests, rangelands, and even landscapes mistletoe can damage and kill trees. These plants are parasitic, and need hosts that provide them with nutrients and shelter. In Colorado, some mistletoe species are attached to ceder, pine and oak trees, and show up as vegetation that doesn't look like the host trees. Over time, mistletoe gets large enough that it takes much of the tree’s nutrients and kills or stunts the growth of its host. We will probably never know for sure why mistletoe became associated with Christmas, but historians point out that the tradition probably dates back thousands of years. They believe that the herb was used as a cure all for many ailments, and even for cases of poisonings. So the custom of kissing under the mistletoe was carried through the Middle Ages, and became incorporated with Christmas celebrations by the 18th century, and is now a part of many of our own holiday traditions.
I wish everyone who is listening a very merry Christmas!
