Small-scale farmers and sustainability advocates say they’re concerned that big companies will leverage their data to sell more products and services, corner markets, or even threaten their livelihoods.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ended a Biden-era program designed to give the next generation of farmers a leg up, terminating $300 million in contracts. ➡️ buff.ly/OwGD2xU

Should every state have its own farm bill? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. ⬇️

“A lot of what I do with the culinary program is giving [students] opportunities to learn and connect with other Native chefs,” writes Siletz chef Jack Strong. “I do whatever I can to give them experiences. The more experiences they have, the bigger and better picture they’ll see.”

For nearly two decades, some 800 Kyrgyz apple trees lived at Dawes Arboretum, growing into a repository of wild apple genetics that many breeders and growers view as critical for the future of the domestic apple industry. But now, researchers have been directed to uproot the trees by March 2027.

The USDA has ended a Biden-era program designed to give the next generation of farmers a leg up, terminating $300 million in contracts.

Through the Siletz Valley School culinary program, Siletz chef Jack Strong connects students to Indigenous foodways and to careers in food. "As someone who came from that school, I understand what those kids are going through. ... For me, it’s personal—I can say: 'I’ve sat where you’re sitting.’"

These Central Asian trees could help shape the future of US apples, but researchers have been directed to uproot the collection by March 2027. Experts say the decision risks dismantling a resource for apple breeders that could take decades to reassemble.

While 70% of precision ag-tech users globally are large operators, smaller farms are slower to buy in. “It’s essentially like we’re being charged to use the service and then the company is making even more money off of us by selling our data.”

The work to breed a collection of wild Kyrgyz apple trees at the Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio, was organized around a simple idea: “genetic diversity for environmental resilience.” But now, the arboretum has directed the trees to be removed by March 2027, leaving only enough time for “triage.”

Precision agriculture tools promise to "empower" farmers with AI-driven insights, but they may be signing away their rights to share the profits.

According to a new analysis, 144 USDA county offices lost all of their conservation staff in 2025, prompting questions around who will assist farmers looking to enroll in popular programs that boost farm resilience and improve the environment.

As the federal farm bill stalls and programs become less reliable, one state provides a model for a resilient, localized farm future. “There are leaders . . . that are very jealous of what we’ve created here in Pennsylvania.”

With the Ai industry poised to expand exponentially over the next few years, small-scale farmers and sustainability advocates worry that big companies will leverage their data to sell more products and services, corner markets, or even threaten their livelihoods.

Some small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers skipped out on federal farm aid, citing onerous reporting requirements they say are not compatible with their farms. “If you have kale, you have to do acreage reporting of your kale. I don’t plant an acre of kale, I plant two rows of kale.”

"Redirecting even a fraction [of subsidies] toward agroecological transition, renewable energy on farms, and local food infrastructure would reshape the landscape,” writes author, filmmaker, and research professor Raj Patel in an op-ed.

Senators from both parties this week introduced legislation to increase domestic fertilizer production and provide more clarity about the prices farmers are paying for inputs.

The Pennsylvania Farm Bill provides farm-to-school grants, business development for farms looking to produce higher-value products, and farm workforce development. Now, several other states are considering similar packages or are investing in agriculture one small bill at a time. buff.ly/Uhv1bwm

"I believe our ancestors are really calling us to connect with these tribal foods and heal not only for ourselves but for future generations." Read our conversation with Kickapoo chef Crystal Wahpepah. ⬇️

As the war in Iran drives fertilizer prices higher, lawmakers and federal agencies are turning their attention toward powerful companies and potential price fixing.

Members of Congress and state officials are working to distance celebrations, streets, and buildings from renowned farmworker union leader César Chavez, following extensive allegations of sexual abuse.

Whether states play a bigger role in farm policy in the coming years will depend on many factors, but many food and farm advocates see the Pennsylvania Farm Bill as a valuable guide.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus vows to take on the massive task of renaming celebrations and landmarks that commemorate renowned farmworker leader César Chavez.

The USDA proposed delaying a set of regulations that were set to change how chicken companies pay contract farmers and how they communicate with farmers around required infrastructure investments.

“We reject the whole concept and premise of “making America healthy AGAIN,” writes a coalition of food justice leaders in an op-ed. “More than anything, we reject the idea that this America has ever been healthy for our communities.”

As the federal farm bill stalls and programs become less reliable, Pennsylvania may provide a model for a resilient, localized farm future. @lisaelaineh.bsky.social reports ⬇️

“Our focus has always been on fighting for and modeling a much more just economy,” writes a coalition of food justice leaders in an op-ed. “While we understand health as an integral part of liberation, we know full well it goes far beyond simple ‘diets.’”

"When the Strait of Hormuz closes, here’s what happens: Energy prices spike immediately. Fertilizer prices follow. Reduced harvests come a season later,” writes author, film-maker, and academic Raj Patel in an op-ed.

“We reject the whole concept and premise of ‘making America healthy AGAIN,’ as if health can happen without radical changes, cultural practices, food traditions, and community care,” writes a coalition of food justice leaders in an op-ed.

Op-ed: Proponents claim the shift to artificial intelligence will make production more efficient and help feed the world. But will it actually?

"Unlike oil, there is no strategic reserve for nitrogen fertilizer," writes author, film-maker, and academic Raj Patel in an op-ed. "Domestic producers cannot rapidly replace millions of tons of supply."

In order to qualify for the $1 billion in federal assistance, specialty crop growers should have filed reports last week. Many didn’t.

"Technology isn’t the enemy—until it’s monopolized and weaponized by corporations,” write Anthony Pahnke and Jason Jarvis in an op-ed. "Without guardrails, AI risks accelerating the extraction and exploitation already decimating our food systems."

"American farmers are in trouble,” writes author, film-maker and academic @rajpatel.org in an op-ed. "Spring planting is here, and the inputs they need—urea, phosphate, the nitrogen for corn, wheat, and soy—are mostly imported from the Persian Gulf.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has signaled more changes coming to school food, but experts say they already need more support to bring "real foods" to students.

Some small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers are skipping out on federal farm aid, citing onerous reporting requirements they say are not compatible with their farms and may not substantially pay off.

With the midterm election season underway, the Trump administration is working to convince voters that it’s bringing food prices down, but Democrats say the administration’s policies favor corporations over consumers and farmers.

Op-ed: 6 Million College Students Are Food Insecure. State SNAP Solutions Could Be a Lifeline.

School nutrition directors say the meals served at schools are some of the healthiest children receive daily, and they’re working to lower added sugar and sodium levels. But to further reduce ultra-processed foods and increase whole foods, additional investment is necessary.

As conflict over Iran continues, farmers say they are worried about rising costs for fertilizer and fuel, especially as they deal with high costs and other challenges tied to tariffs.

“Students are not sacrificing luxuries like a night out or midday coffees to get by,” writes Swipe Out Hunger’s Jaime Hansen in an op-ed. “For the 40% of college students in this country who face food insecurity, the real sacrifice for their education is often their next meal.” buff.ly/cHVJnSJ

The USDA has signaled more changes coming to school food, but experts say they already need more support to bring "real foods" to students.

The House Agriculture Committee advanced a 2026 Farm Bill with bipartisan support, but farm groups are discouraged by the lack of new investments. “I don’t know why anyone would accept a farm bill that doesn’t have any new investments … particularly in a moment like this.”

During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers and witnesses repeatedly zeroed in on how the war in Iran might impact farmers who are already struggling with high input costs.

Individuals receiving SNAP benefits are suing the USDA over its signing of waivers restricting purchases of soda, sugar-sweetened beverages, candy, energy drinks, and more.

As conflict over Iran continues, farmers told lawmakers on Thursday they are worried about rising costs for fertilizer and fuel, especially as they deal with high costs and other challenges tied to tariffs.

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Some farm groups are celebrating the proposed farm bill, but others say it doesn't go far enough in addressing major challenges facing farmers. “The fundamental changes needed to fix what’s broken in American agriculture . . . still need to be made.”

Op-ed: Qualifying for federal SNAP benefits is onerous and prevents many eligible college students from applying. States are stepping up to streamline and simplify the process.

With the midterm election season underway, the Trump administration is working to convince voters it is bringing food prices down, while Democrats are railing against policies they say favor corporate consolidation and hurt farmers and consumers.