USDA Announces $1.8 Billion in 2026 Conservation Program Payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it is issuing approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments to agricultural producers and landowners for their participation in key conservation programs for 2026. These payments include Grassland CRP payments that play an important role in the Trump Administration’s Ranchers First Initiative announced by USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins that includes sweeping actions focused on rebuilding the Great American Cattle Herd and putting America’s ranchers back at the center of our nation’s...

USDA Organic Certification to Undergo Changes to Root Out Fraud, Simplify Processes for Growers

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is advancing a common Organic System Plan (OSP) as part of its broader effort to tighten organic oversight while easing paperwork burdens that have weighed on smaller fruit and vegetable growers, according to multiple sources.

The movement follows USDA’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule, which took effect March 19, 2024, and expanded certification and traceability requirements across the organic supply chain to curb fraud. The common OSP is meant to create a more uniform baseline for certification...

Farmers Push for Farm Bill Passage in Washington, DC

Farmers and ranchers are in Washington, DC this week, urging senators to pass the farm bill. Chad Smith tells us farmers are targeting all 100 senate offices.

Smith: The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with other agriculture organizations, brought farmers and ranchers to Washington DC this week to advocate for farm bill movement in the Senate. Addie Yoder, a Missouri corn and soybean farmer, talked about what they hope to accomplish this week on Capitol Hill.

Yoder: We are really hoping to accomplish a positive vote for the...

Farm Groups' Letter Urges Farm Labor Reform as H-2A Costs Squeeze Growers

On August 10, a broad coalition of US agricultural groups urged lawmakers to swiftly pass HR 9535, the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (or SAWA) which would overhaul the H-2A farm labor program through changes to worker eligibility, wage rules, and administrative requirements. The use of foreign labor is an aspect of farming closely tied to production costs, margins, harvest timing, crop acreage, and marketable supply. 

SAWA Bill Would Reshape US Farmer's Labor Costs

As of June 15, a newly proposed bill called "Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act" (SAWA) would update the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program via changes related to worker eligibility, wage calculations, and administrative procedures, reported Fresh Plaza about a topic that would impact US vegetable growers, and other ag market participants as pressure builds to modernize the temporary visa program for farm labor.

Foreign Agricultural Service Awards $8.4M to Expand Export Market for US Goods

Washington, DC, April 2, 2026 – Today, the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service announced more than $8.4 million in funding through three proven programs: the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program, the Emerging Markets Program (EMP) and the Quality Samples Program (QSP).

All three programs help deliver measurable results for American farmers, ranchers, and producers by reducing technical trade barriers, opening new markets, and meeting a growing international demand for high-quality US agricultural products...

Trump Admin Roundtable Discussion: Bridge Payments to Farmers, Soybean Purchases, Fair Trade, EUDR

On December 8, US President Trump held a roundtable meeting with members of the US farming community, Agriculture Secretary Rollins, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and others at the White House to announce monetary support to farmers impacted by the US trade policy. 

The administration announced plans to provide $12 billion in tariff income-fueled support for farmers, to address the high costs of farm equipment, and to examine anti-competitive behavior in the food supply chain...