I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Machinery, livestock, and crops have always been needed to be moved around the farm or to market. Two-wheel carts suffice for early settlers. Soon four-wheeled wagons became the norm and were universally used for two centuries. Now it’s impossible, historians say, to pin down the first motor truck. But the first …
Give FFA Day is February 20
Thursday, February 20th will be the 10th annual Give FFA Day during National FFA Week. It is a day dedicated to making a difference in the lives of over a million FFA members across the country and growing the next generation of leaders. The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization with the mission of helping students develop their leadership skills …
U.S. Bird Flu Response Hampered by Trump Administration
The U.S. response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak has faced significant disruption in the early weeks of the Trump administration, raising concerns among federal officials, state agencies, veterinarians, and public health experts. Since President Donald Trump assumed office on January 20, two key federal agencies responsible for monitoring and managing the outbreak have delayed critical communications, including bird flu …
American Agriculture History Minute: First Grain Powered Grain Elevator Developed
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Joseph Dart is part of American agriculture history. Though born in Connecticut, he soon moved to Buffalo, New York and it was there he conceived of a machine powered grain elevator and in 1842 put one into service, the first in America. Known as Dart’s elevator, other grain elevators were later …
How Rural America Looks at the Electricity Issue
With today being the President’s Day Holiday, the markets are closed. So, Mark Oppold takes time to look at how rural America is looking at the electricity issue. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober …
Brooke Rollins Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Today, the U.S. Senate voted 72-28 to confirm Brooke Rollins as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Ag commodity groups and leaders across the country congratulates Secretary Rollins on her confirmation and look forward to working with her. Following the Senate’s confirmation of Rollins, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson issued the following statement: “Congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her confirmation …
USDA Freezes Conservation, Farmer Payments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has frozen some funding for farmers as it goes through a sweeping review, despite assurances from the Trump administration that programs helping farmers wouldn’t be affected during the government overhaul. Reuters says the impact has been wide-ranging, from cash assistance for ranchers to fixing cattle watering systems to help for corn growers wanting to …
Concerns with USAID Issues
There has been a lot in the news lately about the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and changes the Trump Administration wants to make to the civilian foreign aid and development assistance program. As Tyron Spearman reports, these issues are affecting one company who has worked for years to provide a peanut product to those in need. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle …
Farm Leaders Call for Stronger Farm Bill, Risk Management at Senate Ag Hearing
At a recent Senate Agriculture Committee hearing titled Perspectives from the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part 1, agricultural leaders Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union, urged lawmakers to modernize the Farm Bill and strengthen risk management programs amid economic struggles faced by farmers …
U.S. Agricultural Exports Surge in Volume Despite Lower Revenue in 2024
The United States saw a significant increase in agricultural export volumes in 2024, as lower prices encouraged global importers to take advantage of affordable bulk commodities. According to a report from Reuters, U.S. bulk agricultural exports rose by 22% in volume compared to the previous year, marking the largest annual increase in a decade. Despite this surge, the total revenue …










