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The Holidays Can Be Hard

The holiday season is a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate, but even for people surrounded by family and community, the holidays can be hard.  Not all memories are joyful.  Grief renews itself.  Hopes and expectations are let down.  Here are some things you can do to manage anxiety and depression that might creep in during the holidays from Dr. Angela Drake, a neuropsychologist at University of California Davis:
1. Manage expectations & let go of the fantasy:  Your expectations for family relationships, finding the perfect gifts, a magazine-worthy home or tree will exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression at this time of year.  Don't compare your reality to the filtered, studio-lit, professionally designed posts you see on social media. Set boundaries and limit exposure to family and friends if relationship dynamics are complex or stressful.
2. Check in with yourself and have a plan: Assess your emotional and mental wellbeing on a scale of 1-10 and when you feel you are approaching something out of control -- whatever that level is -- take a break and do something you enjoy doing to bring you back to center.  Stretch your body, do some yoga, go for a walk or exercise, do something creative, practice deep breathing -- something that calms your nervous system and your mind. And remember, it's okay to say 'no, thank you' to some of those parties and commitments.
3. Moderate alcohol consumption: A moderate amount of alcohol is a perfectly festive way to celebrate, but overindulgence can increase feelings of depression and anxiety.  Be aware of how much you are drinking and don't overdo it.
4. Allow yourself to have a blue Christmas: It's okay to not be okay and even to hate Christmas.  Don't force yourself into pretending to be jolly, but look for and enjoy joyful moments where you can.

Mental Health Resources
PLEASE know there are people and resources you can turn to for help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with loneliness, depression, anxiety or mental health, there are ways to get help.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
If texting is preferred, text HOME to 741741
Learn more about the Lifeline & 988

April 22, 2025
Probing our Country’s Soil Health
A reminder that there is a new nation-wide project called “Probing Our Country’s Soil Health”. It is being funded by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). A major goal of the project is to build a national soil health database and new and improved tools for benchmarking and interpreting soil health metrics. The anonymous data will be used to expand a new and exciting tool called the Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (or SHAPE). This tool helps provide better references for farmers seeking to understand and build soil health. Idaho growers are encouraged to join this important initiative to help shape the future of soil health practices across the nation. More information can be found here!
April 22, 2025
FDA’s New Definitions of ‘Healthy’ Foods Takes Effect Soon - Here’s What you Need to Know
The FDA has updated its definition of the term “healthy” on food labels, with new rules taking effect on April 28, 2025. Under the revised guidelines, foods must contain a certain amount from a recommended food group—such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, or proteins—and meet strict limits on added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. The new definition also introduces important terms like Food Group Equivalent (FGE) and Reference Amount Customarily Consumed (RACC) to help standardize serving sizes. Labeling a product as “healthy” remains voluntary, but companies that choose to use the term must maintain documentation to prove compliance.
April 22, 2025
U.S. Considers Adjusting Port Fee Plan for Chinese Vessels After Pushback
The Trump administration is considering softening its proposed port fees on China-linked ships after receiving widespread backlash from U.S. industries, including agriculture, that warned of severe economic harm. The original plan proposed fees up to $3 million per port call to curb China’s maritime influence and boost U.S. shipbuilding. However, due to concerns that the fees could disrupt commodity shipping and strain businesses reliant on Chinese-built vessels, alternatives under review include delayed implementation, tonnage-based charges, or fees scaled to the proportion of Chinese-built ships in a company’s fleet.
April 22, 2025
USDA Scientist Asks Bigger Weed Questions
USDA research weed scientist Olivia Landau is asking big questions about the future of weed management in wheat farming. As part of the Pacific Northwest Herbicide Resistance Initiative, Landau focuses on identifying herbicide-resistant weed populations and exploring innovative approaches to manage them. As growers face increasing herbicide resistance, Landau encourages them to reach out and share field observations that might inform her research. She’s committed to making complex scientific information clear and accessible, helping the region’s farmers find sustainable, forward-looking solutions to weed management.
April 22, 2025
USDA Terminates University of Idaho Grant to Help Farmers
The University of Idaho’s largest grant, nearly $59 million from the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program, was terminated due to new USDA criteria requiring 65% of funds go directly to producers. The original proposal had over 50% allocated for producer payments, with the remainder for technical and marketing support. The university had already begun enrolling producers and offering support to help them adopt sustainable practices. The USDA is relaunching the program as the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Initiative, and U of I plans to revise and resubmit its proposal.