Author: staff

The Trump administration has agreed to stop withholding federal nutrition funds from Maine schools, marking a victory for the state after months of legal and political clashes over transgender rights. Gov. Janet Mills issued a statement following the settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which had suspended funding over allegations that Maine’s transgender-inclusive policies violated Title IX: “The State of Maine went to court and fought this unlawful attempt to freeze critical funding for our school lunch program — and we won,” Mills said. “I applaud the work of Attorney General [Aaron] Frey and his staff in representing the…

Vermeer is expanding its product line with new triple mowers, rotary rakes, and a large tedder — released in time for the 2025 hay season.  “Vermeer is 100% focused on hay, dairy, and beef producers and the products they need to be successful in the field,” said Shane Rourke, managing director of forage for Vermeer. “The addition of these products further demonstrates our commitment to this industry and I’m excited to bring these products into our lineup to meet our customer’s growing need for efficiency and productivity.” Triple Mowers Prototype mockup of the Vermeer FM110 combination mower. Vermeer Triple mowers…

The National Farmer Veteran Coalition announced over $460,000 in awards and equipment to veterans across the country through the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund. The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund provides direct assistance to veterans involved in agriculture by awarding them equipment and small grants in the amount of $1,000 to $5,000 to purchase items identified to make the largest impact in moving forward in their farm or agriculture business. One hundred thirty-six Farmer Veterans representing 38 states and most branches of service received notifications this week that they have been selected to receive an award to purchase things such as beekeeping…

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since the “C” word came into my life. Sadly, the word in question wasn’t “cashback.” Hearing the phrase “poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma” regarding my tonsil was a bit of a shock. It required some research to divine its meaning. “Poorly differentiated” basically means “a lot of weird variations.” That pretty much describes my life, so I was cool with it. Squamous cells, as it turns out, are located throughout the body. Nothing worrisome there. The “carcinoma” part needed no research to deduce its meaning. Not exactly good news. Yet,…

By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) – More than 15,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture employees have taken one of the Trump administration’s two financial incentive offers to leave the agency, according to a readout from a USDA briefing with congressional staff seen by Reuters. The sum represents about 15% of the USDA’s total workforce. President Donald Trump’s administration has offered federal employees several months of pay and benefits if they opt to leave their jobs as part of his effort with billionaire ally Elon Musk to shrink the federal workforce. At the USDA, 3,877 staff signed contracts in the agency’s first Deferred Resignation Program in February and 11,305…

Republicans on the House Ag Committee are trying to reach agreement on cuts to nutrition assistance and increases in farm bill spending. On this episode of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said Democrats will be largely opposed to SNAP cuts to fund a boost to commodity programs. “We can’t rob Peter to pay Paul,” she said. Then, Tom Sell with Combest, Sell & Associates and Gina Plata-Nino with the Food Research and Action Center discussed the political hurdles ahead with proposed cuts to the SNAP program. Watch the Episode Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign…

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the USDA’s downsizing plan due in May could include some consolidation. Recording at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Agri-Pulse Newsmakers asked Rollins about the department’s plans to address bird flu this spring, her thoughts on the timing for trade assistance, and whether she’s confident Congress will provide needed funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Newsmakers also spoke with Emily Metz from the American Egg Board, Cathy Burns from the International Fresh Produce Association, and Philip Good from the United Soybean Board to discuss the commodities on display at the event. Watch the Video Want…

Carla Schultz wants consumers to know food produced by American farmers is safe, whether it’s GMO, organic, or anything in between. The Michigan farmer, direct marketer, and grain merchandiser joined us at Commodity Classic in Denver to talk about bridging the gap between farmers and the general public, working with family, and serving on the United Soybean Board. Listen to the Podcast Subscribe to 15 Minutes With a Farmer on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please rate and review us! Meet Carla Schultz Schultz and her family raise a diverse range of crops and livestock near…

1. Grain, Soybean Futures Decline Overnight Grain and soybean futures were lower in overnight trading as the dollar strengthened and on favorable weather in global growing areas.  The greenback gained 0.2% against a basket of its global counterparts overnight. A stronger dollar makes U.S. goods including agricultural products less attractive to overseas buyers.  The dollar has been choppy in recent trade amid volatility due to the global trade war between the U.S. and several countries.  Also weighing on prices overnight is favorable weather in some growing areas of the world.  Rainfall continues in much of northern Brazil, the world’s largest…

By Jeff Beach Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to “Make America Healthy Again [MAHA]” is making some North Dakota farmers queasy.  Kennedy’s MAHA movement shuns highly processed foods and dyes. But it also includes an attack on oils made from seeds such as sunflowers and canola, with North Dakota being a leading producer of those specialty crops. These oils are among what has become known as the “Hateful Eight,” oils from canola, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, soy, rice bran, sunflower, and safflower targeted by the MAHA movement.  During a roundtable discussion last week in Fargo with…