A Cornerstone of Agricultural Communities One-room schoolhouses stand as a powerful symbol of early American life, particularly in rural and agricultural communities. As highlighted by agricultural historian Mark Oppold, these modest structures played a vital role in shaping education across the countryside. In the early years of American settlement, much of the population lived in small, isolated farming communities. Access …
U.S. Sugar, Everglades Equipment Group and Autonomous Solutions Inc. have announced the nation’s largest commercial deployment of autonomous tractors in the American sugar industry. The fleet of unmanned John Deere tractors are being implemented on 255,000 acres of farmland in South Florida. The fleet of tractors are operating in sugarcane fields 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While …
The U.S. is highly competitive in agricultural production and the largest agricultural exporter in the world. In 2024, exports were estimated to total $181 billion. Given that the world population is expected to reach nearly $10 billion by 2050, the U.S. is well-positioned to be the source of agricultural products to feed a growing population. Moreover, global gross domestic product is expected to grow …
Drought conditions have impacted southern crop planting and USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey provided an overview of those conditions. Rippey said, “Core drought areas include the southern United States, portions of the Great Plains, and extending into the western United States. If you look at the regions, the southeast region, we are seeing at this time, not only do we have 99 percent …
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced late last week that the USDA has issued the final rule implementing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The act restores whole and 2% milk options in federal child nutrition programs and according to the department supports, “America’s dairy farmers by ensuring schools and child nutrition providers can once again offer students …
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed several bills into law last week supporting Georgia’s farmers and foresters. The Governor was joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo, members of the General Assembly as well as agriculture and natural resource representatives. During the event, Governor Kemp signed HB1159 which …
Updated weather models now show a very high percentage chance of a super El Nino forming later this year. It’s not often weather observers put a high percentage chance on any forecast, but long-range models now show the strongest El Nino ever could be forming by October-November this year. The main features of such a forecast, likelihood of a very wet fall …
The Early 1900s: Electricity as a Luxury In the early 20th century, electricity was not the everyday utility we know today—it was considered a luxury. As shared by agricultural broadcaster Mark Oppold in his American Agriculture History Minute, electrification was still in its infancy, and access to electric power was limited primarily to urban areas. The 1920s: A Growing Urban …
USDA has published the final rule regarding stocking standards for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. According to the Department, the final rule requires that retailers “must now carry seven varieties of items across four categories of staple foods: protein, grains, dairy, and fruits and vegetables. This change more than doubles the requirement of available foods, emphasizes more …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed additional representatives to the National Peanut Board. The National Peanut Board is made up of 12 producer members and their alternates with eleven members and their alternates representing the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Additionally, an at-large member and alter represent the …
