The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release the 2022 Census of Agriculture data on February 13, 2024. NASS concluded the data collection this summer with a preliminary national return rate of 61 percent. The ag census, conducted once every five years, was mailed to more than three million producers across the United States and Puerto Rico late last year. NASS plans to release the data from the 2022 Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture in summer 2024. Early next year, NASS will conduct the Census of Agriculture in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) inducted two former employees to its Hall of Fame. The NASS Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on agricultural statistics and the service NASS provides to the nation. This year’s inductees are Carol House and Raymond “Ron” Bosecker.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Baseline provides a 10-year outlook for seven major U.S. crops (corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, barley, oats, cotton) and plays an important role in predicting farm program expenditures in the President’s annual budget proposal. To provide the best-possible projections, it is necessary to frequently revisit the underlying models behind the baseline to ensure that they are theoretically consistent and produce realistic projections. A report issued by USDA’s Economic Research Service, Producer Supply Response for Area Planted of Seven Major U.S. Crops, examines the performance of the existing area planted equations for seven major U.S. crops in the U.S. baseline model relative to observed historical area planted values.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan. This tool is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, improve customer service, and expand credit access.
The American Farm Bureau Federation and South Dakota Farm Bureau presented Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) with AFBF’s Golden Plow award. The Golden Plow is the highest honor the organization gives to sitting members of Congress.
Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) announced the election of Brian Duncan, a grain and livestock farmer from Polo, Ogle County, as the organization’s 16th president, and Evan Hultine, a grain farmer from Princeton, Bureau County, as vice president. They will each serve a two-year term at the helm of the organization.
Working in partnership with public and private land protection leaders throughout the country, American Farmland Trust (AFT) announces a new “Land Transfer Navigators” program in partnership with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA NRCS) that will help exiting farmers and landowners retire with confidence and help new, beginning and underserved farmers gain secure, equitable land access.
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), along with 57 agriculture organizations including 22 state corn grower groups, urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to consider the impacts that tariffs on Moroccan shipments of fertilizers are having on family farms.
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and BASF have partnered for another year to provide scholarships to undergraduate students passionate about agriculture. Over the past sixteen years, more than 80 undergraduate students have received scholarship funds to aid them in their pursuit of higher education.
The United Soybean Board (USB) is pleased to announce that Lucas Lentsch will join the organization as its Chief Executive Officer starting January 1, 2024. Lentsch currently serves on the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) leadership team, which manages the national dairy checkoff. USB’s board of farmer-leaders, representing more than 30 states, ratified the decision at its December board meeting.
Farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) elected Steve Reinhard from Ohio as the 2024 chair and 10 additional farmer-leaders to serve on the Executive Committee during the USB December meeting in St. Charles, Missouri.
Monster Jam, the most unexpected, unscripted, and unforgettable motorsports experience for families and fans in the world, announced a multi-year partnership with JCB, the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment, joining together two family businesses. The collaboration establishes JCB as the Official Heavy Equipment Partner of Monster Jam.
U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson released the following statement: “After a routine physical and subsequent tests, I was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. While this diagnosis is a surprise, I feel well, and I will continue my work representing the people of Pennsylvania’s 15th District. Anyone who’s worked with me knows I am a person of faith as well as an eternal optimist, both of which will guide me as I undergo treatment. I am grateful to my medical team, my family, everyone I work with and represent in Congress. My faith in God is strong and I will tackle this head on. I appreciate both prayers and privacy during this time.”
Rural Minds, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit with a mission to serve as the informed voice for mental health in rural America, and to provide mental health information and resources, announced the launch of a comprehensive online resource center to provide actionable mental health information. The material is designed to address the unique challenges faced by rural Americans and offer information that can be used by anyone at no charge to help address the growing mental health crisis in rural communities.
