A veteran senior Senate staffer, Fitzhugh Elder, will be taking over as GOP staff director for the Senate Agriculture Committee next month, sources tell Agri-Pulse. He will replace Martha Scott Poindexter, who’s moving to the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

USDA is rolling out competitive grants under the new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, led by the NRCS.

Urban agriculture, internet marketing, SNAP purchase bonuses and more keep farmers markets and other direct sales on a growth path.