As we enter day four of the government shutdown and some potentially nasty weather this weekend, here are some tidbits to distract you:

Meet the new Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs, Brian Depew.

Crop insurance claims should not affect farmers, as the insurance contracts are with private companies and not the federal government.

Are you a agriculture student?  Check out the 2014 Agricultural Innovation Prize competition.

Monsanto has purchased The Climate Corporation.  The Climate Corporation is an ag-focused information technology company that measures historical rainfall, weather, and other information to assist in increasing production.

Here are three interesting vignettes about British beginning farmers.

This recipe combines some of my favorite things: apples, pie, and cookies to make the Apple Pie Cookie.  I haven’t tried them but they look delicious.