The Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is now available on DietaryGuidelines.gov. The report contains the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (Committee) independent, evidence-based findings and advice to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Scientific Report, alongside public comments and federal agency input, will inform the two departments as they develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030, which is expected to be published in late 2025.
The U.S. continues to benefit from solid economic growth, low unemployment and moderating inflation. From today’s vantage point, the U.S. economy seems likely to continue on that trajectory into 2025. However, the outlook for the rural economy is more volatile and uncertain. Rural industries are disproportionately exposed to federal policy, and the outcome of the 2024 election cycle promises to bring significant changes in the federal government’s approach to everything from international trade and immigration to energy exploration and rural economic development. According to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the high level of policy uncertainty facing rural industries adds to their already long list of headwinds and challenges.
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) honored Joey Caldwell, senior vice president of retail at GreenPoint Ag, with the ARA Excellence in Advocacy Award in front of more than 600 ag retail industry professionals during the 2024 ARA Conference & Expo.
GROWMARK is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Drake, Jeff Lynch, Matt Lurkins, and Karmy Kays to key roles on the company’s Executive Leadership Team, effective January 2, 2025. These appointments follow the announced retirements of Wade Mittelstadt, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer; Barry Schmidt, Executive Vice President, Retail Business; and Bill Covey, Executive Vice President & General Counsel. With over 100 years of combined experience in the GROWMARK System, they have provided invaluable contributions in shaping the growth and success of GROWMARK. As Brad Drake, Jeff Lynch, Matt Lurkins, and Karmy Kays transition into their new roles, GROWMARK is positioned to build on this foundation of leadership excellence.
During its annual election meeting in St. Louis, the American Soybean Association Board of Directors voted in the executive committee members who will lead the organization through the coming year’s top advocacy priorities, including farm bill, regulatory issues, tax policy, markets, biofuels and other top policy issues for U.S. soybean farmers. Caleb Ragland (KY), who previously served as ASA vice president, will serve as 2025 ASA president. Ragland began serving on ASA’s board of directors in December 2017. He farms 4,000 acres of soybeans, corn and winter wheat on his Magnolia, Kentucky, farm.
Farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) elected Philip Good from Macon, Mississippi, as 2025 Chair during its December meeting in St. Charles, Missouri. He’s joined by 10 additional farmer-leaders to serve on the Executive Committee.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the Monarch butterfly as a threatened species. The threatened designation proposal for the monarch butterfly reflects the need for strong conservation measures while maintaining regulatory flexibility that balances species protection with existing land uses. “As corn growers, we look forward to providing input on how we can protect Monarch butterflies without disrupting critical agricultural activities that help fuel and feed the world,” said Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr.
The National Cotton Council and its cooperating partners welcome all to the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences January 14-16 at the New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, LA. Three days of individual reports, panel discussions, hands on workshops and seminars are designed to provide attendees with information they need to help producers make key cotton production/marketing-related decisions.
Make plans to attend the 20th annual Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. This one-day show is free and open to all farmers and industry representatives to attend.
Indoor Ag-Con, the largest and premier trade show and conference dedicated to vertical farming | greenhouse | controlled environment agriculture returns March 11-12 to a new and expanded location, Westgate Las Vegas. Indoor Ag-Con unites farmers, growers, hospitality industry executives, ag tech leaders, suppliers, academics, investors and advocates under one roof for two days of education, inspiration and networking.
