Agriculture Policy & Programs

NRCS Promises Farmers Will See Modernized Approach

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley told No-Till Farmer he is prioritizing field staff to improve field engagement and technical expertise.

What If a No-Tiller Wrote the Farm Bill

lessitef@lesspub.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

An innovative approach that offers major Farm Bill conservation and environmental benefits is really built around tripling the current no-till acreage.

[Video] Conservation a Top Priority for 2026 Strip-Till Innovator

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

We head inside the office of 2026 Strip-Till Innovator Robert Boyle in Coolidge, Ariz. Boyle details the Conservation Farmer Award he received from all the conservation districts in the state and explains why conservation is always at the forefront in his strip-till operation.

NRCS Announces $65 Million for Conservation Innovation Grants

Wed, 27 May 2026 13:08:22 -0400

USDA today announced the availability of $65 million this year for new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

NRCS Chief Talks Goals for Agency as Ag Tech Evolves

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Buckley told No-Till Farmer Tuesday he will continue pushing to modernize the tools farmers have available through the NRCS and ensure the agency “gets back to basics” helping them succeed with their conservation goals.

CTIC Seeking Participants for New Mentoring Program

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Through Success from the Ground Up, Cargill provides financial support to soil health organizations focused on providing access to training and technical information that can help remove barriers for row crop farmers who want to rebuild the health of their soils, plant cover crops, and make better use of their water. 

[Video] Minnesota Growers Hit the Road for Strip-Till Learning

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

In this video, Alan Kraus, soil health specialist with Rice and Steele SWCD, joins Strip-Till Farmer managing editor Noah Newman for a conversation about how the trip came about, strip-till trends in the area and his biggest takeaways from attending the last couple National Strip-Tillage Conferences.

Shining a Light on Mental Health in Agriculture

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Time flies during planting season, and this year has been no exception. But let’s pause for a moment and talk about something that doesn’t get covered enough in agriculture throughout the year — mental health.

New Program Incentivizes & Promotes Strip-Till Adoption in Michigan

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Accessing Subsidized Strip-Till Equipment Trial (ASSET) program offers farmers about $52 per acre if fully enrolled — $32.60 per acre for cover crops and $19.32 per acre for strip-till.

Should Your Farm Sign a Carbon Contract?

janzen@aglaw.us — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

"To date, farmer uptake of these programs has been very slow, in spite of the promise to pay farmers for participation. I believe a lot of the reluctance stems from the uncertainty about these programs," says Todd Janzen in his latest blog.

Farmers Share Key Takeaways from Feed in Focus Sustainability Program

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Sat, 02 May 2026 14:09:00 -0400

The program has engaged 43 farmers in Idaho, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, covering 50,000 acres and 43,000 cows so far.

[Video] Dairy Conservation Navigator is a One Stop Shop for Conservation Resources

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 01 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

We caught up with Bridgett Hilshey from Dairy Management Inc. at the Dairy Sustainability Alliance Spring Meeting in Oak Brook, Ill., for a first look at the new Dairy Conservation Navigator.

U.S. House Passes Farm Bill 2.0, Pesticide 'Liability Shield' Removed

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The version approved Thursday removed controversial language that would have prohibited states and courts from, “penalizing or holding liable entities for failing to comply with requirements that would require labeling or packaging that is in addition to or different from the labeling or packaging approved by the EPA administrator.”

Reports: U.S. May Use Tariff Money to Boost Fertilizer Supply

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Agri-Pulse reported the Trump administration may spend billions of dollars to invest infrastructure and reshore fertilizer production back into America, citing Rollins’ comments during a recent House Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing.

What You Need to Know About the FAA's New DETER Program for Drones

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

For farmers who use drones for crop scouting, imagery, or spraying, this program marks an important shift in how drone rule violations are handled — and why staying compliant matters more than ever. Adam Gittins explains what the DETER program is, why it was created, and how it applies to ag drone operators.

Important Deadlines Loom for Economic Assistance and Conservation Programs

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The USDA announced that Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) offers can be submitted during a second batching period that runs through May 1, 2026.

USDA Launching ‘Proving Ground’ for Ag Technology

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech will, according to the agency, “thoroughly test and validate both existing and emerging tools under real-world production conditions,” to provide farmers and ranchers with “trusted, practical insights” they can rely on to make product decisions.

White House Budget Slashes Conservation Tech Support

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Some conservation groups are angered by a preliminary budget document released that slashes the budget for NRCS technical assistance for farmers.

[Video] Why There’s ‘No Going Back’ with AI in Ag

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Jeremy Groeteke, global head of IT and digital strategy at Syngenta, breaks down some of the latest trends with AI in agriculture and shares key takeaways from his presentation at the 2026 FEMA Supply Summit and Showcase in San Antonio, Texas.

‘Balanced Growth:’ EPA Finalizes Renewable Fuel Standard Final Rule

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:00:01 -0400

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the Set 2 rules will create a “larger, more stable and more reliable” domestic market for U.S. crops.

USDA, Young Farmers Coalition Spar Over Cuts to Farm Access Program

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Termination letters claim that, according to NYFC, “most of the awards did little to improve land access” and there was “excessive spending on outreach and technical assistance.”

[Podcast] James Hepp & the Lobe Rangers Put Strip-Till, Conservation in the Spotlight

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode of the Strip-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, we catch up with first-generation strip-tiller James Hepp in Rockwell City, Iowa.

National Ag Day: 'We must make changes now'

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Trump administration officials tout progress on farm reforms, but American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says shorter-term solutions are needed to fix "terrible imbalance" between prices and inputs costs.

Farmers Sue Fertilizer Companies, Alleging Price Fixing

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:57:01 -0400

The lawsuits come at a time when the U.S. Department of Justice and USDA promised scrutiny of fertilizer monopolies, and as security problems in the Strait of Hormuz near Iran has led to an increasing in fertilizer prices.

[Video] Farm Credit Launches Grant Writing Services Pilot Program with Lasso

lweigel@lessitermedia.com — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Myriah Johnson, Vice President of Sustainability with Farm Credit Services of America, details the company’s new grant writing services pilot program with Lasso. Johnson explains how the program will make the process easier for farmers interested in participating in new sustainability programs.

Q&A on Trade, Input Costs and More with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

At the recent Commodity Classic show in San Antonio, Rollins told ag media the trade situation for the U.S. is gradually improving, and input costs show some signs of coming down a bit.

National Conservation Leaders Recognized at NACD Annual Meeting

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The National Association of Conservation Districts recognized planners, producers and conservation leaders for outstanding service and innovation at its 80th Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Deadline Announced to Apply for USDA's Farmer Bridge Payments

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The program will provide $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs.

9 Key Takeaways from Recent 45Z Rules

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The path forward now runs through USDA. When that guidance is released, the industry will be ready to move. In the meantime, the message is clear: get your data organized, says Mitchell Hora.

U.S. House Committee Releases Draft of New Farm Bill

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:34:26 -0500

The Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, being referred to by some as “farm bill 2.0,” addresses provisions that weren’t included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was passed last summer under budget reconciliation rules.