TPP & Scientific Breakthroughs

The U.S. and Japan have been working to get the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement hammered into shape. The President was in Japan last week and met with Japanese Prime Minister Abe who said in a joint press conference that as a result of serious exchanges between the two, Japan was able to make the transition to the next stage, which was to participate in the TPP talks.

OBAMA: Short term, all of us have to move out of our comfort zones and not just expect that we're going to get access to somebody else's market without providing access to our own.  And it means that we have to sometimes push our constituencies beyond their current comfort levels because ultimately it's going to deliver a greater good for all people.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a new report on scientific breakthroughs discovered by USDA researchers that led to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth. Innovations included in the report range from flour made out of chardonnay grape seeds that prevents weight gain to antimicrobial packets that keep food from spoiling, efforts to protect U.S. troops in Iraq from diseases carried by sand flies, new processes for turning grass clippings and raked leaves into bioenergy, and many more.

Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.

I love fresh asparagus and thankfully I live in an area where fresh local asparagus is in abundant supply this time of year. So this past weekend I made it a point to stop by a relatively new fresh produce store in our fair city that offers products produced locally - anything from fresh fruits and veggies, to local ciders and jams. Managed by two farm families, their slogan is "from bloom to your dining room". And yes, there was plenty of asparagus to be had. I purchased two large bunches and plan on incorporating it into stir-fries, soups, salads and more over the next week. Asparagus is one of those vegetables that is packed full of health benefits, in fact it has been touted as one of the world's healthiest foods, and when you consider that it is chock full of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients as well as antioxidants and is rich in fiber that comes as no surprise. In the past asparagus has been thought of as a delicacy or luxury vegetable, but while it is certainly a culinary delight, it is now widely available to all consumers around the world. So this spring help yourself, your local economy and local farmers by purchasing and enjoying fresh locally grown asparagus.

Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.