Penn State effort focused on the future of agriculture
Source: Penn State UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa . — An innovative interdisciplinary collaboration between Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and the College of Agricultural Sciences will focus on fostering innovation in food and agriculture. The 2026 Land Grant Startup Launch Competition is the brainchild of Travis Lesser, the director of Smeal’s Center for the Business of Sustainability, and Mark Gagnon, the Harbaugh Entrepreneur and Innovation Faculty Scholar in the College of
Kentucky students encouraged to apply for 2026 Kentucky Ag Athletes of the Year
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 21, 2025) – Kentucky student-athletes who are involved in agriculture are invited to apply for one of six scholarships and recognition as a 2026 Kentucky Ag Athlete of the Year. The program is a partnership of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). Student-athletes must apply online by Dec. 31. Image credit KDA “The hard work it takes to be a successful athlete is the same type of work that
Farm Credit of the Virginias’ Chief Brand Officer Appointed Virginia Sec. of Agriculture & Forestry
Source: Farm Credit of the Virginias December 4, 2025 - Farm Credit of the Virginia s (FCV), an agricultural lending cooperative serving Virginia, West Virginia and western Maryland, proudly announces that Katie Frazier, chief brand officer, has been appointed by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger as Virginia’s next Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Katie Frazier will be the next Sec. of Agriculture and Forestry in Virginia. Image Credit - Farm Credit of the Virginias F
Farmer sentiment jumps higher in November
Source: Purdue University WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — November brought the highest farmer sentiment reading since June, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer jumping 10 points from October to 139. The increase was driven primarily by producers’ more optimistic outlook for the future, as the Future Expectations Index climbed 15 points to 144, while the Current Conditions Index dipped 2 points to 128. November’s survey is the first conducted after the late-Octob
NC asks horse owners to be on lookout for signs of equine herpes
Source: NCDA&CS RALEIGH - State veterinary officials are asking horse owners in North Carolina to watch for symptoms of a highly contagious equine disease following diagnoses of multiple horses with Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy, the neurologic disease associated with Equine Herpes Virus. Cases were confirmed in early November by the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of EH
Program hopes to builds confidence, skills for Spanish-speaking ag workers in PA
By Alexandra McLaughlin UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A year and a half ago, producers in Pennsylvania’s tree-fruit and poultry industries turned to Penn State Extension with a critical need. They cited language barriers, safety concerns, and workforce retention as top challenges, and asked for help training Spanish-speaking workers in English, safety, and workplace skills. With its statewide reach, trusted relationships, and history of bilingual education and outreach, Penn State
Farm Bureau: Farmers urgently need economic assistance
By John Newton, VP of Public Policy and Economic Analysis, American Farm Bureau Federation Washington, DC -- USDA's most recent Commodity Costs and Returns , World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates and Farm Sector Income & Finances reports confirm what those in agriculture have known for several years: U.S. farm income is under immense pressure as input costs have increased dramatically while crop prices have fallen sharply - resulting in crop and specialty crop marg
2025 National Christmas Tree is from Highland County, Virginia
Source: USDA Forest Service Roanoke VA, Nov. 21, 2025 —The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest delivered a 32-foot red spruce tree to the nation’s capital for the holiday season. In collaboration with the National Park Service, on November 15, the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District selected the tree from the high-elevation mountains of Highland County, Virginia for transport to the White House. This year's National Christmas Tree is a 32-foot red spruce
Drought conditions are expected to expand in the Southeast this winter
by Jeff Ishee The US Drought Monitor recently published their forecast for drought conditions this winter. The report is not favorable for farmers in the Southeastern United States. The US Drought Monitor is published by the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. The "Seasonal Drought Outlook" is published once a month, specifically on the third Thursday of each month. Several areas in the Southeast are expected to see drought conditions develop between now and t
Whole milk may be coming back to schools
Source: American Farm Bureau NOVEMBER 20, 2025 - More than a decade after USDA regulations banned whole milk from school menus, Congress is considering a comeback. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act would overturn 2012 rules that limited schools to fat-free or 1% milk, aiming to revive a category losing ground and reconnect kids with milk’s taste and nutrition. Behind the debate is a market challenge: U.S. milk output is hitting record highs while fluid consumption falls. A
