Need a quick catch up on the news? Here are seven agricultural stories you might have missed this week.

1. The Environmental Protection Agency held a hearing on its proposed changes to the volume requirements for the Renewable Fuels Standard. Ethanol and biodiesel producers asked for increases in the volume requirements. – Farm Futures

2. Tension is rising as the European Union has not approved a new biotech soybean, which has already been planted in some areas prompting some grain traders to tell farmers they won’t buy the beans this fall. – The Wall Street Journal

RFS hearing, monthly crop report and tension with the EU over biotech seed approval in the news this week.

3. USDA issued its monthly Crop Production Report Friday. It lowered ending stocks for corn and soybeans in the United States and raised ending stocks for wheat. – Farm Futures

4. Technology is coming to the aid of farmers in all kinds of ways: Reduced water consumption, turning out consistent products and perhaps making it easier to feed the world without straining the planet. – Technology Quarterly

5. Researchers at Purdue University have developed tough, flexible, biodegradable films made from cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls. This could one day be a substitute for petroleum-based products. – Farm Futures

6. The World Bank is downgrading its 2016 global growth forecast to 2.4% from 2.9% because of sluggish growth in advanced economies, low commodity prices and weak global trade. – Farm Futures

7. USDA extended the comment period for organic livestock production practices for 30 days to July 13 after receiving several requests to extend the deadline. – Farm Futures

And your bonus:

The Student Organic Farm at the horticultural research farm at Iowa State University is a place for hands-on learning. - NPR