Florida Farm Bill

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Highlights 2025 Florida Farm Bill

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson recently highlighted the Florida Farm Bill, specifically the proposal to protect Florida’s ag producers from environmental, social, and governance lending discrimination. Southeast AgNet’s Dale Sandlin has more information. This protection would be provided when lenders determine whether to provide capital to farms. Commissioner Wilton Simpson said, “ESG lending discrimination is an existential threat to American agriculture. …

American Agriculture History

American Agriculture History Minute: Future Bright for Colorado After Discovery of Gold, Silver, and the Railroad

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Early settlers found a lot to like once they crossed the Appalachians and settled in states like Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. But there was not much to like about Colorado. According to historians, when first settlers arrived there, in fact, many decided the difficult trail through the Rockies onto Oregon …

Farmer Bridge Assistance

Farmers Still Caught in Trump’s Funding Freeze

The Trump administration is withholding funds from farmers participating in conservation programs, despite the White House’s assurance last week that funding to individuals would not be frozen. Contractors supporting these programs have also been affected. The Iowa Soybean Association, in a letter to lawmakers, warned that $11 million owed to farmers is at risk. Many farmers are only now learning …

FFA Week

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 …

bird flu

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

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 …

electricity

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged …

Brooke Rollins

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 …