Author: staff

With the pressures of climate change, land loss, and increasing costs of inputs, supporting grassroots farmers and ranchers is a no-brainer. These are the folks who face the daily realities of managing ecosystems and ensuring food security, yet they are often the ones who struggle the most with access to resources necessary to sustain and grow their operations. Marginalized farmers, including BIPOC, Veterans, LGBTQIA+, and beginning farmers, are disproportionately impacted by systemic barriers that make it difficult to maintain and deepen their relationship with the land. With encroaching development and other issues threatening farmland, it’s in all our best interests…

In September 2024, U.S. sales of agricultural tractors fell by 19.2 percent, and combine sales dropped by a significant 40.7 percent compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Canadian sales also experienced declines, with tractor sales down 24.9  and combines falling by 51.9 percent. Curt Blades, Senior Vice President at AEM, attributed the downturn to the overall softness in the agricultural economy, highlighting the cyclical slowdown seen throughout the summer. The decline in tractor sales, particularly among smaller models under 40 horsepower, points to broader financial challenges faced by farmers. Image…

The American Farm Bureau Federation has opened voting for its People’s Choice Pup, which is part of the larger Farm Dog of the Year contest that celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers in producing food for families and their pets across America.  The People’s Choice Pup will win bragging rights and a $1,000 cash prize from Purina. Members of the public are invited to vote online for their favorite dog. The grand prize winner of the primary contest — Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year — will win a year’s worth of Purina Pro-Plan…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a third human case of H5 bird flu in California, marking the latest in a series of similar cases linked to infected dairy cows. Like the two previous cases in the state, the affected individual is a dairy worker who had occupational exposure to infected livestock. This case is part of an ongoing multi-state outbreak, with 18 human cases reported in the U.S. since 2022, 17 of which have occurred in 2024. All three California cases were reported from different dairy farms, with no known contact between the affected individuals. This…

Agriculture is a stressful occupation, and farmers struggle with anxiety and depression at higher levels than the general population. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines differences in mental health challenges for men and women farmers, focusing on the role of social support in mitigating stress. “We were interested in understanding depression and anxiety among Illinois farmers, and we wanted to bring attention to social support and location, especially with regard to gender. When we think about mental health and agriculture, we also want to think about the person in a broader context. In addition to what…

Emblazoned with the words, “Our Farms – Our Future,” South Carolina’s farm-themed specialty license plate has helped raise nearly $250,000 for Ag in the Classroom programming since its inception in 2009. The idea to create a specialty plate that would celebrate agriculture was proposed by Maria Samot, South Carolina Ag in the Classroom’s director at the time. “If someone has this plate on their vehicle it means that they not only support the people who grow our food, fuel and fiber, but they also support teaching the next generation about understanding where those commodities come from,” said Stephanie Sox, South…

Georgia Boot has announced its support for 4-H’s new Beyond Ready initiative. Launched today, the initiative aims to expand 4-H’s reach to 10 million young people by 2030, focusing on critical issues like community health, civil discourse, and inclusion. In addition to its support for Beyond Ready, Georgia Boot will continue to promote its Trailblazer program. This initiative provides a platform for 4-H youth to share their experiences and showcase their projects, ranging from agriculture to technology, and emphasizes the hands-on learning that has been the hallmark of 4-H. “4-H is an incredible program that directly benefits kids on a…

McDonald’s recent lawsuit against major beef suppliers like Tyson Foods, JBS, and Cargill has ignited both controversy and conspiracy theories, with many people questioning the fast-food giant’s motives. The case, which which was filed last week in New York courts and alleges that these suppliers colluded to inflate beef prices by reducing slaughter-ready cattle, has created a stir not only in the agricultural world but also on social media. While McDonald’s seeks damages under federal antitrust laws, some consumers and ranchers are skeptical about the fast-food behemoth’s sudden concern over price-fixing. The platform formerly known as Twitter has been buzzing…

Farmers, get ready for a challenging winter. The 2025 Farmers’ Almanac predicts a cold, stormy season, far different from last year’s unusual weather anomalies. While the winter of 2023-24 saw unpredictable warm spells and sudden cold snaps, this year’s forecast promises more traditional winter conditions, particularly for the northern and eastern regions. Image by Farmers’ Alamanac Winter officially starts on December 21, 2024, with the winter solstice, but don’t expect the cold to hold off until then. La Niña’s influence means cold temperatures and storms could hit earlier. The Farmers’ Almanac highlights that the season’s coldest temperatures will affect the…

In the Center for Dairy Excellence’s latest episode of the Cow-Side Conversations podcast, Matt Carr, a third-generation dairy farmer from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, opens up about a farm safety accident where he lost the fingers on his left hand. He describes how quickly the incident happened, what the physical and mental recovery process was like, and the lessons he learned through the incident. Their dairy operation is a true family business with some additional Spanish-speaking employees. Carr shares how developing clear protocols for their workforce, while always remembering to have fun, is one of their top priorities. He also compares…