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by Jeff Ishee March 1, 2026 - Farmers across the eastern United States are keeping a close eye on the rapidly expanding conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, worried that rising instability in the Middle East could drive up the cost of essential farm inputs. Their concern centers on energy prices, fertilizer markets, and the shipping routes that tie both to global volatility. Escalating military strikes and retaliatory attacks have heightened fears of disrup

Source: Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture FRANKFORT (Feb. 20, 2026) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $700,317 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth at its monthly board meeting in February. “Diversity in our agricultural landscape spells success for our farm producers,” Commissioner of Agriculture and Board Chair Jonathan Shell said. “The projects awarded today by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board

Source: Univ. of Maryland by Graham Binder Seeking to combat diet-related illness in food-insecure communities across Maryland, Professor and Extension Specialist Hee-Jung Song is creating a produce-prescription program, backed by almost half a million dollars in funding from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The program will provide locally sourced fruit and vegetables to Marylanders at-risk of heart disease and associated illnesses and track both their

WASHINGTON, DC — During this year’s Ag Safety Awareness Program Week, March 2-6, American Farm Bureau Federation and safety and health professionals are encouraging farmers to prioritize their health and wellness. Observed ahead of the busy spring season, ASAP Week raises awareness about health and safety hazards facing agriculture while reminding farmers, ranchers and farmworkers to keep safe practices top of mind. Image credit - VA Farm Bureau This year’s theme, “Live Well,

by Jeff Ishee Late February rains and snowfall have been beneficial to many farms in the Southeastern United States, bring much needed soil moisture. Looking at the bigger picture, however, it is quite evident that winter drought is expanding in an area stretching from Virginia to Florida. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor , only 1% of the Southeastern US was in “extreme” drought on December 30th, 2025. As of February 24, however, the area had increased to 23%. The region

Source: National FFA INDIANAPOLIS - More than one million FFA members, alumni, and supporters are getting ready to celebrate National FFA Week this month, an annual tradition coordinated by the National FFA Organization to share the value of FFA and the impact it has on its members every day. National FFA Week kicks off on Saturday, February 21, and runs through Saturday, February 28. FFA is the top school-based youth leadership development organization in the country, wit

RALEIGH, NC – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed an established presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Davidson, Rowan and Caswell counties, bringing the total number of counties where established populations of this destructive pest has been found in the state to seven. Breeding populations have been found along Interstate 85 and I-285 corridors through Davidson County and as far south as Salisbury in Rowan Co

WASHINGTON, DC - On. Feb. 13, the USDA announced $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. ASCF payment

By Jeff Ishee February 20, 2026 - Drought conditions across several eastern states are now expected to persist at least through the end of May, according to new seasonal outlooks from federal forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The outlook includes an area that stretches from Maine and Vermont to the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. The prolonged dryness follows a winter in which many areas saw significantly lower‑than‑normal water reso

by Jeff Ishee February 19, 2026 - A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows the nation’s agricultural landscape continued to contract last year, with thousands of farms disappearing amid ongoing economic pressures. According to the USDA, approximately 15,000 farms were lost nationwide in 2025, marking one of the steepest single‑year declines in more than a decade. Total land in farms, at 873,950,000 acres, decreased 2,510,000 acres from 2024. See the full re