U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. Specialty crop producers have until March 13, 2026, to report 2025 acres to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) released a statement supporting the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The full text of the bill can be found here.
Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce that Sarah Gonzalez will join the digital media company on March 9 and become the company’s third editor in chief, after current Editor in Chief Philip Brasher retires on March 27. She will be based in Washington, D.C.
The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) awarded U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) with its 2025 Wheat Leader of the Year Award for championing the effort to get the Food for Peace program transferred to USDA control.
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) announced that Samantha Ayoub will join the association as Director, Workforce & Business Policy on the U.S. Government Relations team effective Feb. 23.
Undergraduate college students pursuing agricultural communications careers should apply now for up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Agricultural Communicators Network. Three scholarships will be awarded in 2026 to members of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) who have demonstrated commitment to their education and career goals. The 2026 ACN Scholarship Application Form and 2026 ACN Scholarship Reference Form are available online at agcommnetwork.com/scholarships.
Vermeer Corporation and alliance partner G.T. Bunning & Sons Ltd are marking a significant milestone in their ongoing collaboration: the first MS400 manure spreaders produced at Vermeer’s Griswold, Iowa facility are now shipping to dealers and customers across North America. The MS400 has already established a growing presence in the field, with several units currently operating on farms today. While Bunning remains the design and engineering lead behind the spreaders, Vermeer is leveraging their manufacturing capabilities to better meet the demand seen in North America and expand future product availability.
The National Cotton Council directors for 2026 were announced at the NCC’s recent 2026 annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Nathan Reed, a Marianna, Ark., producer, who previously served as National Cotton Council vice chairman, was elected NCC chairman for 2026 during the organization’s annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. John C. King, III, a merchant official from Richardson, TX, will serve as Cotton Council International’s president for 2026.
