June 30, 2026
New York is the First State to Offer Tariff Relief to Farmers
New York has become the first state in the nation to launch a financial assistance program specifically designed to help farmers offset losses tied to trade tariffs. Governor Kathy Hochul (HOE-kull) announced that applications are now open for the state’s $30 million Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program. Eligible producers can receive grants ranging from $1,000 to as much as $25,000. The program is available to qualifying dairy, livestock, specialty crop, and aquaculture operations. State officials say higher costs for imported feed, grain, and other inputs have increased financial pressure on farms affected by tariff policies. “I’m proud that our Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program will provide the much-needed relief to New York’s farmers,” Hochul said. Supporters say New York’s action could serve as a model for other states looking to assist producers facing trade-related economic challenges. Eligible farms must meet income and production requirements to qualify for the payments.
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Clean Fuels Thanks USDA for Final Regenerative Ag Rule and Calculator
Clean Fuels Alliance America is applauding USDA’s finalization of a new rule designed to help farmers capture more value from regenerative agriculture practices. The Production of Regenerative Agricultural Biofuel Feedstocks rule, along with an updated USDA Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator, gives producers a way to measure the environmental benefits of conservation practices when supplying feedstocks for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. “These rules will help farmers get more value from the expanding domestic market for biomass-based diesel,” said Kurt Kovarik of Clean Fuels. “We appreciate USDA’s responsiveness to industry input and simplification of the calculator.” Clean Fuels says the updated guidance provides practical tools for producers while creating additional opportunities in the growing renewable fuels market. The organization also plans to continue working with USDA to expand approved feedstocks and conservation practices in future updates.
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EWG Reports Sharp Rise in Livestock Antibiotic Use
Sales of medically important antibiotics for use in livestock jumped nearly 16 percent in 2024, raising new concerns among public health advocates about the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. New data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration show sales increased to nearly 7.1 million kilograms, up from 6.1 million kilograms in 2023. That’s the largest year-over-year increase since 2017. According to the Environmental Working Group, sales of medically important antibiotics are now 28 percent higher than in 2017. Swine accounted for the largest share of antibiotic sales at 43 percent, followed by cattle at 41 percent. While poultry represented just four percent of total sales, antibiotic use in chickens increased 79 percent from the previous year. The Environmental Working Group said the increase cannot be explained by meat production, which rose less than one percent in 2024. The organization argues antibiotics continue to be widely used to prevent disease in healthy animals.
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Overlooking a Talent Pipeline of Future Skilled Workers?
American businesses searching for skilled workers may be overlooking one of the country’s largest talent pipelines: the National FFA Organization. FFA now has more than one million student members in over 9,000 chapters across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While many employers report difficulty filling entry-level positions, FFA leaders say students are already gaining hands-on work experience, leadership training, and technical skills before graduating from high school. Through classroom instruction, supervised work-based learning, and leadership development, FFA members prepare for more than 350 careers, including agriculture, food science, veterinary medicine, banking, business, education, and government. A major part of that preparation comes through Supervised Agricultural Experiences, which give students real-world job experience under the guidance of agriculture teachers. FFA says that means many graduates enter the workforce with years of practical experience already on their resumes, making the organization a valuable and often overlooked source of future employees.
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NASDA and USDA MOU Celebrates Family Farms
The USDA and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture have launched the American Farm Legacy 250 Program, a new national effort recognizing multi-generational farm families that have helped shape American agriculture. The program will honor farms and ranches that have remained in continuous family operation for 250 years while also building on existing state Century Farm and Heritage Farm programs to celebrate agricultural stewardship across generations. “America’s farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to feed, clothe, and fuel their communities and the world,” said Ted McKinney, NASDA CEO. “This partnership recognizes families who have stewarded their land across generations while inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders.” USDA will oversee the national program, while NASDA will work with state agriculture departments to identify qualifying farms and coordinate recognition efforts. The first farms meeting the 250-year milestone were recognized this week as part of the nation’s celebration leading up to America’s 250th anniversary.
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U.S. Wheat Associates Announces New Chair
A Kansas wheat producer is taking over leadership of the U.S. Wheat Associates. Gary Millershaski of Kansas was installed as chairman of the organization’s Board of Directors during its summer meeting in Fargo, North Dakota. He succeeds North Dakota wheat farmer Jim Pellman and will serve a one-year term. “Gary has been an active board member and a valuable voice on the officer team,” said Mike Spier, USW President and CEO. “He has visited many global markets and established relationships with wheat buyers around the world.” Millershaski and his family raise hard red winter wheat, hard white wheat, corn, milo, and run a cow-calf herd in southwest Kansas. U.S. Wheat Associates works to build export demand for American wheat, helping connect U.S. producers with customers around the world and expanding overseas markets for the nation’s wheat crop.
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