March 02, 2026
USDA Launches “One Farmer, One File” Initiative
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the “One Farmer, One File” modernization plan, another action designed to put “farmers first” with sweeping technological improvements at the USDA. Speaking during the Commodity Classic, she said USDA’s plan is to create a single, streamlined record that follows farmers, no matter where they go in the USDA system. “The modernization of old, duplicative, wasteful systems has just one goal in mind, which is to improve our customer service so the people we serve are able to farm and feed America and the world,” she said. “So, the ‘One Farmer, One File’ prevents our farmers from duplicating tasks while it increases their productivity and time in the field.” Not only will it reduce the administrative burden for farmers, but it will also make program delivery more efficient, save time for USDA staff, and decrease spending on disparate information technology systems.
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Lesser Prairie Chicken Delisted from the ESA
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized the removal of the Northern and Southern Distinct Population Segments of the lesser prairie chicken from the Endangered Species Act list. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council filed litigation to remove the listing when the lesser prairie chicken was first listed in 2022 due to the protections being both legally and scientifically flawed. “The ESA listing of the lesser prairie chicken, coupled with the designation of critical habitat across cattle country, created an unnecessary and unlawful burden for ranchers,” said NCBA President Gene Copenhaver. “Established science has repeatedly proven that healthy rangelands maintained by cattle grazing are exactly where the lesser prairie chicken thrives.” He also said grazing creates robust, sustainable habitat for the bird, and by removing this listing, the Trump administration is helping ranchers continue that stewardship.
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World Ag Expo Celebrates a Successful 2026
The 2026 World Ag Expo gathered attendees and exhibitors from around the world in Tulare, California, for the world’s largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition. Over 100,000 attendees joined the 2026 World Ag Expo, with a slight increase in attendance compared to last year. Visitors came from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 53 countries. In addition to the attendees, 1,179 exhibitors displayed the latest in agriculture. Attendees explored 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space displaying cutting-edge equipment, technology, services, and solutions. Many exhibitors also showcased live demonstrations, providing a hands-on experience. “After 20 years of exhibiting at World Ag Expo, 2026 still managed to blow us away,” said Todd Blosser of Midwest Bio-Systems. “The flow of people and conversations was great!” The chance to show off their Aeromaster composting equipment that helps dairies turn manure into a real asset means Midwest Bio-Systems will be coming back in 2027.
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U.S. Horticulture Operations Report $18.3 Billion in Sales
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties Report, the only source of detailed production and sales data for floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops in 2024. Horticulture sales in 2024, compared to 2019, all show an increase in sales and number of operations due to the addition of mushroom and hemp grown under protection in the latest Census of Horticultural Specialties. The number of horticulture operations in the U.S. totaled 23,060. “The horticulture census provides data on sectors for which there are no other comprehensive data sources,” said NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons. “It’s a valuable tool to highlight the contribution horticulture growers bring to our local, state, and national economies, as well as changes in the industry during the past five years.” Family or individual-owned businesses make up the largest number of operations at 56 percent.
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LanzaJet Wins RFA Industry Award
Sustainable aviation fuel pioneer LanzaJet was presented with the 2026 Industry Award during the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Florida. The award from the Renewable Fuels Association honored the company for becoming the world’s first to produce jet fuel from ethanol at a commercial-scale facility last year. “Preparing an entirely new technology means stepping into the unknown,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “It means years of research without guarantees, overcoming technical setbacks, earning trust from partners and regulators, and having the resilience to persist when the path forward isn’t yet clear,” Cooper said. The accomplishment is the result of 15 years of research, innovation, investment, and teamwork. “LanzaJet has not only advanced the global deployment of sustainable aviation fuel but also created new opportunities for decarbonization, economic development, and energy security for the world,” he added.
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Minneapolis Fed: Farm Incomes Drop Despite Abundant Harvests
Farm incomes generally decreased across the Federal Reserve Bank’s Ninth District. That’s according to lenders responding to the fourth quarter Ag Credit Survey by the Minneapolis Fed. Lenders also reported that purchases of capital inputs fell, though farm household spending continues to edge up. Demand for loans increased, while the rate of loan repayment dropped, and loan renewal and extension activity increased. Interest rates for agricultural loans fell notably. Land values in the district barely increased from the previous year, while cash rents were mixed. The outlook for the first quarter of 2026 was pessimistic, and survey respondents expected a further decrease in farm incomes. Capital expenditures also dropped, as 56 percent of the respondents reported decreased investment in equipment and buildings from a year ago, compared with only 11 percent that reported increased spending.
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