Agriculture’s Early Roots in America Agriculture has always been at the heart of America’s growth. Long before tractors, hybrid seeds, or modern irrigation systems, farmers and thinkers were searching for ways to improve yields, preserve soil, and secure the nation’s food supply. While many farm organizations thrive today, the very first to formally promote agriculture in the United States was …
Honoring 9/11 and Fighting Hunger: Farmers, Broadcasters Unite for a Greater Cause
We pause with others on this 24th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and remember the heroic passengers on the plane that crashed in rural Pennsylvania. May we never forget. As we reflect on a pivotal moment in American history, it’s also a time to spotlight those …
U.S. House Passes Grain Standards Reauthorization to Boost Technology and Stability
On Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan five-year reauthorization of the USDA’s grain inspection program, a critical move for the nation’s grain value chain. The United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act ensures the program continues beyond its current expiration date of September 30, with key updates aimed at advancing technology in grain grading. The legislation reflects growing …
Farmer Sentiment Drops for Third Straight Month in August, Purdue and CME Report
The latest data from Purdue University and the CME Group shows that farmer sentiment declined in August 2025, marking the third consecutive month of decline. The drop reflects ongoing concerns about market volatility, production costs, and future profitability—especially among grain producers. “Farmer sentiment as measured by Purdue University and the CME group dropped in August for the third month in …
Lower Water Levels in Mississippi River
Mississippi River Hits Historic Low for Fourth Year, Disrupting Grain Transport The Mississippi River south of St. Louis is once again experiencing dangerously low water levels as the region enters the fall harvest season. For the fourth consecutive year, water levels have dropped to critical lows, significantly impacting grain transportation, barge traffic, and cash basis prices at river terminals. “Lower …
NCBA Testifies At 301 Hearing For Brazil Investigation
NCBA Urges Suspension of Brazilian Beef Imports in Section 301 Investigation The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has taken a strong stance in the ongoing Section 301 Investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, voicing serious concerns about Brazil’s treatment of U.S. beef and long-standing food safety issues. Earlier this week, the U.S. International Trade Commission held a hearing to investigate whether …
New Clean Water Rule to clarify WOTUS Definition and Conform with SCOTUS Sackett Ruling
Trump Administration Set to Propose New Clean Water Act Rule, Rolling Back Wetlands Protections The Trump administration is preparing to propose a new Clean Water Act rule that may eliminate federal protections for many wetlands across the United States, according to an internal EPA presentation obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News. “Under the proposed rule, the federal government would regulate wetlands …
USDA Discontinues Farm Labor Survey Amid Rising Concerns Over AEWR
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will discontinue the Farm Labor Survey, a decision that may have significant implications for farm wage reporting and the future of agricultural labor programs like H-2A. According to a filing in the Federal Register, USDA is ending the long-standing survey due to “recent improvements to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of …
USDA Extension Service: A Legacy of Education and Support
The Roots of Agricultural Support The Department of Agriculture was first established in 1862, but it would take more than 50 years before one of its most impactful programs came to life. With the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, the USDA Extension Service was officially created. This initiative formed a partnership between the USDA and land-grant universities to …
Lewis B. Schmidt and the First Agricultural History Course in America
Farm Families and the Birth of Agricultural Policy As farm families moved westward and settled across the American heartland, they were unknowingly shaping the foundation of U.S. agriculture. Their struggles, innovations, and resilience created a living history that would later influence government officials tasked with developing agricultural policy. Recognizing the importance of this legacy, a few forward-thinking scholars insisted that …