Keep Your Eyes on the Fries

Next time you go to McDonald's, there's a good chance you'll be eating an ARS-developed French fry. ARS scientists released two varieties of potatoes—'Clearwater Russet' and 'Blazer Russet'—used by McDonald's for French fries. The company has a high bar for its potatoes, having accepted only seven varieties to use in its fries over the years.

Potatoes are highly perishable, and the crop must be consumed, processed, or stored cold immediately after harvest. However, ARS potato breeders were able to release new potato varieties resistant to problems that develop during storage and to internal heat necrosis.

Sink your teeth into this research with "You Want Fries With That?"

Composting, a process that speeds up natural decomposition, is becoming ever increasingly popular, both on the farms and at home. Composting provides a great way to keep food scraps and yard waste out of landfills and it has a variety of benefits when added to soil to help plants grow.

Download this factsheet to learn how to compost and why.

Feeding the Antibiotics Debate

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a hot-button issue when it comes to food safety. According to the World Health Organization, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to modern medicines, including antibiotics – which are designed to fight bacterial infections. AMR can make infections in humans and animals that are harder to treat and increase the risk of disease and illness. In agriculture, antibiotics may be given to cattle and other livestock to fight infections and keep the animals healthy. However, there are concerns that the use of antibiotics in agricultural settings may lead to AMR that affects people. ARS scientists researched whether raising beef cattle without antibiotics would reduce AMR levels, compared to health practices using antibiotics. The results may surprise you.

Check out Science Shows Less Can Equal More and watch the video to find out what they learned.

Three Strikes and You're Out – Saving Ash Trees From a Voracious Pest

It's that magic time of year when the first signs of spring begin to appear everywhere—the weather starts getting warmer, robins return to build their nests, and cherry trees begin to blossom. But to some, the true harbinger of spring is the opening day of baseball season.

White ash has been a go-to wood for making Major League Baseball bats for many years because of its light weight and resistance to splintering. But alas this sturdy wood has come under attack by a little half-inch, metallic green beetle known as the “Emerald Ash borer”.

The adult beetles lay eggs in the crevices of ash tree bark in late May to mid-June and the hatching larvae bore under the bark, where their feeding cuts off the transportation of water and nutrients which the tree needs to survive.

This invasive pest was first detected near Detroit, MI, in 2002 and is found today in 33 states and two Canadian provinces. Learn how ARS scientists are working hard to fight this pest and protect our beloved ash trees.

Do you know what food groups are part of a healthy plate? Vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and dairy foods are all important. They provide vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that keep the body healthy. MyPlate can help you remember to include these foods. It can be used for kids and adults of all ages!

Practice using MyPlate in your daily routine, and soon it will become a habit as simple as brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Get out crayons or coloring pencils and a piece of paper and follow the steps below to draw a colorful MyPlate-inspired meal!

Step 1: Ask an adult to print the MyPlate Coloring Sheet or get a blank piece of paper for you to create your plate. If making your own plate, draw a circle by hand, or ask an adult to bring you a plate to trace.
Step 2: Choose one type of protein food, such as grilled chicken or black beans. Draw it on the bottom right section of your plate.
Step 3: Pick one type of vegetable, such as roasted carrots or stir-fried broccoli. Draw it on the bottom left section of your plate.
Step 4: Think about one type of fruit that you like, such as blueberries or sliced apples. Draw it on the top left section of your plate.
Step 5: Pick one type of grain, such as sliced bread, brown rice, or noodles. Draw it on the top right section of your plate.
Step 6: What is the last food group to add? If you guessed dairy, you are correct! Make a small circle next to your plate, and draw a dairy food or dairy alternative, such as yogurt, milk, or fortified soy milk, to include in your meal.
Step 7: Congratulations on building your MyPlate meal! Ask an adult to display it on your fridge as a reminder to choose healthy foods whenever you are in the kitchen.

Parents, caregivers, and teachers: explore more resources to help kids eat well! Use the MyPlate Plan to find what amount to get from each food group based on age, sex, and activity level. In general, MyPlate recommends these daily amounts for kids ages 5 to 8:

• 5 to 2.5 cups of vegetables
• 1 to 2 cups of fruits
• 4 to 6-ounce equivalents of grains, including 2 to-3-ounce equivalents from whole grains
• 3 to 5.5-ounce equivalents of protein foods
• 5 cups of dairy

Photos courtesy of MyPlate.gov, Adobe Stock and USDA Flickr

Want more cool photos? 

The Tiny World of Microscopic Imaging

The ARS Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit assists a diverse group of scientists needing microscopic imaging for their research projects. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art microscopes and microscopy technologies capable of producing high-resolution, digital images of many of the most important pests and pathogens affecting agriculture.

Researchers here can flash freeze mites in liquid nitrogen to create striking “snapshots” as they feed, use a laser-scanning confocal microscope to make accurate 3D images, and use a 3D printer to create models from the images.

Their images have won scientific photography awards, graced the covers of prestigious scientific journals, and enhanced our scientific understanding of many microbes, pests, and pathogens that attack crops, infect livestock, and make people sick.

See some stunning images in "Opening a Window to an Unseen World."