A Pioneering Beginning During the Civil War Kansas State University—originally named Kansas State Agricultural College—was formally established on February 16, 1863, in Manhattan, Kansas. As described in Mark Oppold’s American Agriculture History Minute, its founding took place during the American Civil War, a period marked by national upheaval yet also visionary public investment in education. Despite the challenges of wartime, …
USDA Expands Crop Insurance For Ag Producers
Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule Modernizes Crop Insurance for 2026 The U.S. farm community is preparing for important changes after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that updates are coming to federal crop insurance processes. The Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule is designed to streamline requirements across multiple crops, improve program efficiency, and respond directly …
USDA Applications now open for the America First Trade Promotion Program
USDA Now Accepting Applications for America First Trade Promotion Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially opened the application period for the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP), a major new initiative designed to strengthen U.S. agricultural exports and global market presence. Funded by Congress earlier this year, the AFTPP provides $285 million in support for agricultural export, marketing, …
USMEF Participates in America First Trade Promotion Program
USDA Opens Application Period for 2025 America First Trade Promotion Program With a renewed focus on strengthening agricultural trade deals over the past few months, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins officially announced the 2025 America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) earlier this year. The program is now fully open for applications following congressional authorization of $285 million to …
NCBA’s CattleCon Provides New Experiences for Cattle Producers in 2026
NCBA Prepares for an Exciting CattleCon 2026 in Downtown Nashville The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is gearing up for CattleCon 2026, set to take place February 3–5, 2026, in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. This year’s event promises fresh experiences, unmatched access to Nashville’s vibrant culture, and valuable opportunities for cattle producers to connect, learn, and celebrate the industry. We spoke …
New Pest Found in Georgia
Georgia Issues Pest Alert for Invasive Brown Winged Plant Hopper The Georgia Department of Agriculture has released a Pest Alert concerning the recent detection of the Brown Winged Plant Hopper, an invasive insect species native to China. This pest poses potential risks to Georgia’s agriculture and landscape plants, making awareness and early reporting essential. According to the Georgia Department of …
Final Federal Reserve Meeting
Rate Cut Odds Rise as Consumer Confidence Slips Ahead of the Federal Reserve’s Final 2025 Meeting The Federal Reserve Board’s final meeting of the year is just one week away, and expectations for another interest rate cut are gaining momentum. As the Fed returns to its rhythm of analyzing weekly and monthly economic reports, new data is shaping market sentiment—and …
Georgia Beef Board Focuses on Emergency Planning and Preparations for 2026
Georgia Beef Board Looks Ahead to 2026 with Expanded Training, Education, and Promotion As 2025 comes to a close, the Georgia Beef Board is shifting focus toward planning and preparation for the year ahead. We caught up with Wyatt Doolittle of the Georgia Beef Board to learn more about recent activities and the initiatives set to roll out in 2026. …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Young Cattlemen’s Advocate in DC
Alabama’s Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Council Heads to Washington, D.C. for 2025 Policy Experience The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association’s Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) Council is preparing for a meaningful leadership and advocacy experience as the group heads to Washington, D.C. This biennial trip offers young cattle producers an inside look at the federal policy process, strengthening their understanding of how …
EPA Issues Guidance Regarding Claims of Agency Approval of Forever Chemical Pesticides
EPA Issues Guidance Addressing Misinformation on Recent Pesticide Approvals The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention has released comprehensive guidance to address growing misinformation surrounding the EPA’s recent pesticide approvals. As public discussion has intensified—particularly around single fluorinated compounds—the agency aims to clarify what these substances are, how they are regulated, and what extensive risk …










