Entries by Tracy Mumma

Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund

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Applications are accepted quarterly; the first quarter ends March 28, 2025. The Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund gives $5,000 to $20,000 direct financial disaster assistance grants to organic farmers and processors in California for hardship related to drought, extreme weather, or climate impacts. CCOF administers these reimbursement grants. Extreme weather and climate impact grant applications will […]

Survey Provides Insight on Farmers Market Attendees

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A recently published national survey of 5,141 U.S. residents conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Farmers Market Coalition provides new insights into who attends farmers markets, why they go, and what benefits they receive from going. The article, “U.S. farmers market attendance and experiences: Descriptive results from a national survey,” appeared […]

Simple Field Test Indicates Cattle Grazing Behavior

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Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have been studying cattle behavior to identify individuals best matched to the landscape for optimal grazing. The project seeks to better understand the grazing personalities of cattle. It began with the discovery that individual cattle have distinct grazing personalities that affect how far and wide they graze. The […]

Flavonoids Help Protect Crops Against Corn Earworm

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Researchers at Penn State University demonstrated that some genetic lines of corn contain high levels of flavonoids that protect them from damage by corn earworm larvae. Corn earworm larvae cause significant crop loss in corn, but both a genetically engineered corn and a conventionally bred corn high in flavanoids caused corn earworm larvae to grow […]

Organic Trade Association Survey Shows Committed Young Organic Consumers

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A survey released by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) finds that organic’s benefits to personal health and nutrition are resonating deeply with Millennials and Gen Z, making them the most committed organic consumers of any generation. In its new “Consumer Perception of USDA Organic and Competing Label Claims” study, OTA partnered with Euromonitor International to […]

Disrupted Native Bee Populations Can Rebound, Study Indicates

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Researchers at Penn State published a study that examined the effects of migratory beekeeping on native bee populations. Research showed that when managed honey bees were moved into an area, the population of native bees decreased in abundance and diversity. However, when apiaries were eventually removed, even after a period of years, native bee populations […]

Rural Roots Endowment

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Applications opened January 21, 2025. American AgCredit is partnering with the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico in the Rural Roots Endowment, which focuses on investing in the long-term viability, sustainability, and profitability of agriculture in New Mexico. The endowment will provide grants and direct funds to agriculture organizations across New Mexico. The endowment will […]

Labor for Learning Program Seeks Trainees

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Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Labor for Learning program is designed to pair beginning farmers seeking employment and additional training in farm management and production skills with experienced farmers seeking extra help on their farm. Trainee positions for the 2025 growing season are now open, offering learning experience on a wide range of different operations across […]

UK Study Highlights Benefits of Hedgerows

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Scientists from the University of Leeds analyzed soil samples from nine farms in the United Kingdom to find out how carbon storage under hedgerows compared to that found in adjacent grass fields. They found that the soil under hedges had increased carbon storage by almost half, compared to managed grassland, regardless of soil type, rock […]

Regenerative Agriculture Loan Pilot Program Launches

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FBN® announced the launch of its Regenerative Agriculture Financing (RAF) Land Loan pilot program. The pilot program will provide approximately 20 farmers with discounted interest rates — ranging from 0.25% to 0.5% — on newly financed land for seven years. The rate discounts will be accessible for farmers who implement sustainable soil and water health […]