U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $30 million in fresh fruit from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need. With this action, the Trump Administration is bolstering American prosperity by supporting American agriculture, rural communities, and those in need of nutrition assistance.
The National Agri-Marketing Association‘s next webinar is titled Growing Possibility: Building Resilient Leaders – Practical Tools for Addressing Mental Health, Burnout & Leadership with Joe Roberts. Register now for the program on December 4, 2025 at 11 a.m. central.
The Renewable Fuels Association announced the addition of two companies, CFO Services and Zero Industrial, as new associate members. Their specialization in incentives and credits and industrial low-carbon electrification, respectively, will give ethanol producers access to cutting-edge financial tools and clean energy technologies that support ongoing decarbonization and operational efficiency efforts.
Make plans to attend the 49th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The one-day show is free and open to all farmers and industry representatives to attend.
As extreme cold events become more frequent and strain aging electrical grids, farmers and agricultural operations are turning to propane as a reliable, on-farm energy solution. Propane’s ability to operate independently of the grid makes it especially well-suited for winter use, from heating barns and greenhouses to powering backup generators. Severe winter weather is a major driver of U.S. power outages, and the risks are mounting. According to a 2025 Department of Energy Report, blackout risks could grow 100-fold by 2030. Visit Propane.com/Agriculture or contact your local propane supplier to develop a customized winter-readiness plan.
In celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Farm Credit Council has announced an initiative to provide leadership development training to women leaders across the Farm Credit System: Advancing Women in Agriculture through Resilience & Distinction (AWARD). Participants will take part in a groundbreaking leadership experience at Gettysburg in the summer of 2026. Each of the 55 Farm Credit Associations and four banks, representing all 50 states and Puerto Rico, will be invited to nominate one female leader for this distinguished honor. Applications for Farm Credit institutions will open on December 1, 2025, with a nomination deadline of February 28, 2026.
New consumer research from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI), and FMI – The Food Industry Association, provides details on how consumers perceive gene editing in food and agriculture and what drives their willingness to buy. The research, “Consumer Acceptance of Gene-Edited Foods,” found that consumers are significantly more open to gene-edited products when the benefits are clear, personal and values-based. When informed about the purpose and process of gene editing purchase intent rose across all categories tested: pork, eggs, tomatoes and bananas.
Great leaders build a bridge for future leaders and agriculturists. The Agriculture of America (AFA) Bridge Builder Award recognizes alumni committed to strengthening the future of food and agriculture through connection, collaboration and mentorship. Elizabeth Galbreath garnered her unwavering dedication to shaping the future of agriculture, driven by a passion for investing in the next generation and ensuring emerging talent has a meaningful seat at the table. Galbreath is a dynamic advocate for future talent and serves as a Professional Development Program Manager at BASF, leading initiatives to connect students and emerging professionals to meaningful careers. The Maryland native and proud Virginia Tech graduate pairs deep rural roots with a lifelong passion for service. Galbreath embodies what it means to build bridges that last and uplift the future of agriculture.
The American Soybean Association (ASA), the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), and ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) expressed strong support for the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) recently announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). This initiative, which establishes an estimated $285 million in funding for 2026, offers a timely and strategic opportunity to bolster U.S. soybean export development in non-traditional markets for American farmers.
The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is honored to welcome Governor Kehoe for remarks on Missouri’s economy, workforce, and the pivotal role of agriculture in the region on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Grand Street Cafe in Kansas City. Seating is limited; advance registration is required.
The Georgia Peanut Commission is pleased to announce the hiring of Taylor Arnold as its new executive director, succeeding longtime director Don Koehler, who is retiring after more than four decades of dedicated service to Georgia’s peanut industry.
