The USDA finalized a rule to align the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim with consumer understanding of what the claim means. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the rule Monday at the National Farmer’s Union annual convention in Scottsdale, Arizona. “We are now on record as being for the utilization of that label only, only, when the animal was …
House Agriculture Committee Offers Farm Labor Solution
The House Agriculture Committee laid out a roadmap to relieve labor shortages that have seriously impacted America’s farmers and ranchers. The Agriculture Labor Working Group (ALWG) released its final report on how to improve the H-2A guest worker program. It includes more than 20 recommendations to streamline the program and make labor more affordable for farmers. “We’re losing American farms …
Preparing for Various Agricultural Reports
A variety of new reports will be coming out over the next few weeks. As Mark Oppold notes, one will be released today. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Number of U.S. Farms Falls Below Two Million
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the number of U.S. farms has fallen under two million for the first time since before the Civil War. The numbers come from the 2022 Census of Agriculture. In 2022, there were 1,900,487 farms in the country, a seven percent decline from the level in the 2017 Census. A farm is defined as …
Fuel Prices See Double-Digit Increase for Gasolione
After falling last week, the nation’s average price of gasoline climbed ten cents from a week ago, according to GasBuddy. The national average is up 22 cents from a month ago but 3.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average diesel price fell 2.7 cents last week and stands at $4.03 per gallon—33 cents lower than …
EPA Announces New Ag and Rural Affairs Office
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is establishing a new office to expand engagement opportunities with agricultural and rural communities. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the first-ever EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs during his remarks at Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas, on Friday. Commodity Classic is the largest farmer-led annual convention in the country and Regan is …
Catastrophic Losses Ahead After Texas Wildfires
Catastrophic losses from the Texas wildfires. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller announced his agency’s commitment to providing support to the state’s producers as they deal with the aftermath of devastating wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned through almost 1,700 square miles of land, making it the largest …
AMS Grant Programs Available
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is now accepting applications for three grant programs, each with a unique focal point in promoting, marketing, and securing products. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Program Jenny Moffitt tells us more about the grants. Listen to Sabrina Halvorson’s program here. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata …
Many Growers Attending Commodity Classic
Commodity Classic wraps up Saturday in Houston, Texas, as growers from across the country are on hand. Mark Oppold notes what many of them are saying about their decisions for this year. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Funding Announced for Renewable Tech in Ag
Funding the future of ag tech. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture and the Energy Department this week launched a new initiative to help farmers cut costs and increase income using underutilized renewable technologies. Through the Rural and Agricultural Income & Savings from Renewable Energy initiative, USDA is setting an initial goal of helping …