Regulations
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Farm conservation funding hit a record high in 2024. A majority of farmers still got nothing.
Close to two-thirds of applicants for the USDA’s flagship climate programs were rejected despite increased investment from the Inflation Reduction Act.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 11, 2024 -
How 5 states are innovating SNAP
From produce-buying incentives to in-app discounts, new pilots and programs aim to help people stretch their funds.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 11, 2024 -
Trendline
Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive
Declining farm income and other production challenges have pushed farmers to rethink their operations and adopt new technology in a bid to diversify potential revenue streams.
By Agriculture Dive staff -
US to test national milk supply amid bird flu concerns
The federal order allows the USDA to test samples of unpasteurized milk from all farms, transporters and facilities as officials look to contain an expanding outbreak.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 9, 2024 -
USDA must do more to regulate genetically modified crops, judge rules
A federal court overturned a 2020 rule that looked to accelerate innovation by allowing manufacturers to sidestep regulatory reviews.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 9, 2024 -
EPA seeks to limit use of pesticide chlorpyrifos in food
The proposal would still allow the insecticide, which has been linked to neurodevelopmental harm in children, to be used on 11 crops.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 5, 2024 -
What to do if immigration agents come to your jobsite
The incoming Trump administration has promised to step up workplace raids. Here’s how to prepare.
By Zachary Phillips • Dec. 4, 2024 -
Key takeaways from COP29: a contentious finance deal, carbon markets, more
The annual climate summit also set up a “loss and damage fund” for vulnerable nations, which advocates say should prioritize agriculture.
By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Smithfield owner WH Group asks shareholders to approve US spinoff
The Chinese pork producer's proposal to list shares comes amid growing scrutiny in Washington around China's influence over American agriculture.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 2, 2024 -
How RFK Jr could shake up the food industry
Trump's health secretary pick is expected to work to eliminate processed foods from school lunches and push for the removal of dyes from cereals and other items.
By David Silverberg • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Record agriculture trade deficit expected to keep growing
The gap between farm imports and exports is expected to surpass $45 billion in fiscal year 2025, according to an updated USDA outlook.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 27, 2024 -
SNAP braces for cuts under Trump, policy analysts say
Altering eligibility requirements and combating fraud are also likely to be top priorities under the new administration.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 27, 2024 -
Bird flu found in raw milk sold at California grocery store
No illnesses have been reported and the farm has issued a voluntary recall. The state will increase testing of unpasteurized dairy following the discovery.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Trump calls for 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico
Farmers have worked to increase exports to both countries in recent years, and new duties could upend those gains.
By Philip Neuffer , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Who is Brooke Rollins? What to know about Trump’s pick to lead USDA
The conservative lawyer is CEO of right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute, which is poised to exert enormous influence in the president-elect's second term.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 25, 2024 -
Instacart launching SNAP eligibility screener
The company says it’s the first online grocery platform to roll out this kind of tool, which lets shoppers see if they qualify for SNAP benefits and directs them to state resources.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 25, 2024 -
‘Dicamba cannot be fixed’: Senate Democrats push to keep controversial weedkiller banned
The EPA is facing renewed pressure to deny applications re-registering the controversial weedkiller from three of the biggest crop protection companies.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Trump’s tariff plan is likely to raise grocery prices, economists say
U.S. reliance on food and beverage imports has grown over the years and could be significantly exposed to new duties under the president-elect’s plan.
By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 21, 2024 -
USDA to give specialty crop growers $2B to expand markets, combat natural disasters
The funding will help vegetable and fruit farmers defray transportation costs and access commercial storage facilities in the wake of extreme weather events.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Corteva unveils ‘breakthrough’ in drought-resistant wheat
A new seed hybrid has the potential to increase yields by 10% and represents one of the first major innovations for the crop in decades.
By Nathan Owens • Nov. 20, 2024 -
California opts to preserve credits for dairy digesters in major regulatory update
A state regulator voted to amend the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, injecting new life into a lucrative biofuels credit market that is used by waste projects throughout the U.S.
By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Senate releases long-awaited farm bill draft. Here’s what’s in it.
Democrats are proposing to strengthen the farm safety net while meeting Republicans on some spending demands. But climate and food assistance remain major sticking points.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Eliminate pesticides in farming? Trump’s pick of RFK Jr for health secretary raises concerns in agriculture
The prominent vaccine skeptic has promised to shake up the FDA, claiming Americans are being “poisoned” by seed oils and food additives in comments that have alarmed the industry.
By Sydney Halleman , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 18, 2024 -
Berkeley passes first ‘factory farm’ ban in US
Measure DD received more than 60% of the yes vote, garnering support from residents concerned about the impact CAFOs have on livestock and the environment.
By Nathan Owens • Nov. 18, 2024 -
Smithfield pays $2M to settle child labor allegations at Minnesota meat plant
Children between the ages of 14 and 17 were employed at a processing facility, with most working after 9 p.m., according to a two-year state audit.
By Nathan Owens • Nov. 15, 2024 -
Trump taps ‘border czar’ who promised worksite immigration enforcement
The choice of Tom Homan comes after Trump conducted workplace raids during his first term, including at seven Mississippi poultry plants.
By Kate Tornone • Nov. 15, 2024