USDA Trade Plan Sparks Strong Response from U.S. Meat Export Industry With the recent release of the USDA’s three-point plan to support American agricultural producers and exporters, the U.S. meat industry is reacting positively. Last week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg unveiled the initiative during the annual meeting …
USDA Releases Three Point Trade Plan
USDA Unveils Bold Trade Plan to Boost U.S. Agriculture and Exports Last week, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Undersecretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindbergh announced a bold new initiative to support U.S. agricultural producers and exporters. The aggressive three-point USDA trade plan is designed to strengthen American agriculture through expanded market access, reciprocal trade agreements, and …
Fire Danger Increased From Dry Conditions At Harvest
Harvest 2025 Ahead of Average, But Dry Conditions Raise Fire Concerns Harvest 2025 continues to move ahead of the five-year average in several key states, fueled by another week of dry weather. While this helps speed up fieldwork, the lack of moisture is increasing fire danger across much of the country. Conditions in some areas are less severe than in …
Secretary Rollins Provides Current State of Farm Economy
Last week in Kansas City, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins delivered key updates on the state of the U.S. farm economy, highlighting rising production costs, labor challenges, and USDA’s multi-agency efforts to support American farmers and ranchers. Secretary Rollins addressed the continued rise in farm production input costs, stating that the USDA and Department of Justice (DOJ) will collaborate …
Oregon Trail: How It Shaped American Agriculture
A Defining Route in Agricultural History The Oregon Trail remains one of the most significant routes in American history, playing a vital role in the nation’s agricultural development. Stretching 2,170 miles, the trail connected Missouri to Oregon, serving as a lifeline for thousands of pioneers in the 19th century. Crossing the Heart of the Nation The eastern portion of the …
USDA Investments to Address Trade Barriers Expand Market Access
USDA Awards $8.3 Million to Boost International Market Access for U.S. Specialty Crops The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $8.3 million in funding to assist 11 recipients in expanding global market access for U.S. specialty crops. The funding is part of the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program, managed by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). TASC helps …
Illinois River History: Gateway to Agriculture and Trade
A Vital Waterway in the Heart of the Midwest The Illinois River has long been an essential part of America’s agricultural history. Stretching 273 miles, the river begins at the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee Rivers in the Chicago metropolitan area. From there, it flows southwest across the state of Illinois, eventually joining the mighty Mississippi River near …
Agriculture’s Hall of Fame Welcomes Three New Inductees in October
Every major sport has its Hall of Fame—and so does American agriculture. Just outside of Kansas City, the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the nation’s food, fiber, and farming industries. “Every major sport has its Hall of Fame. So does agriculture. The National …
Colorado River: Lifeline of the American West
A Vital Waterway in American Agriculture The Colorado River, stretching an impressive 1,450 miles, stands as the fifth-longest river in the United States. Its name, Colorado, comes from the Spanish word for “colored reddish,” a reference to the river’s heavy silt load that once gave it a distinctive hue. Originating in the central Rocky Mountains, this river plays a critical …
October 12th Proclaimed as Farmers Day in Alabama
Governor Kay Ivey Proclaims October 12 as Farmer’s Day in Alabama Farmers across Alabama are getting long-overdue recognition thanks to a new statewide observance. Last week, Governor Kay Ivey officially proclaimed October 12th as Farmer’s Day in Alabama, joined by Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate. We spoke with Commissioner Pate to learn what inspired this important …