News
Agritourism to value-added: 5 takeaways from the 2026 Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Conference
Growers, extension agents, researchers and allied industry professionals from across the southeast descended upon the historic Georgia river town of Savannah in early January for the 2026 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. ... more
Report: $15 billion grower aid payments being discussed
Key members of the U.S. House and Senate are working to put together $15 billion in aid, including relief for specialty crop growers, in this month’s appropriation bills, according to a POLITICO report. Sen. John Hoeven, who chairs the Se... more
Organic certification gains traction amid tighter margins and rising import competition
With profit margins tight and cheap imported produce causing consternation among many specialty crop growers across the country, fruit and vegetable growers are taking a hard look at bringing one of America’s premium brands into their own operatio... more
Farm groups rally for specialty crop relief in 2026
Among the many key policy priorities for farm advocacy groups in 2026 is securing additional economic relief for specialty crop growers. With specialty crop producers largely left out of a $12 billion grower aid package announced in December, N... more
Southeast Michigan vegetable and field crop winter meeting set for Feb. 4 in Dundee
Vegetable growers across the Midwest can sharpen their production and pest management knowledge at the upcoming 2026 Southeast Michigan Vegetable Grower and Field Crop Grower Winter Meeting. The all-day event is scheduled for Feb. 4 at the Old Mi... more
New USDA dietary guidelines reset federal nutrition policy
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins have released all-new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025–2030). The shift marks the most... more
North Dakota farmer Barry Vculek takes the reins at National Onion Association
The National Onion Association (NOA) has elected Barry Vculek, owner of Four Star Ag (Oakes, North Dakota) as its incoming president for the 2026–2028 term. Vculek succeeds Jared Gutierrez and brings decades of hands-on farming experience, indu... more
California farmers face new regulations in 2026 from agritourism to wages
In California, the new year has ushered in a handful of new rules and regulations affecting agricultural operations throughout the state. Caleb Howard with AgAlert.com writes, “As of Jan. 1, there are new laws pertaining to employee wages, mana... more
USDA bridge payment details released: specialty crops on hold
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA): the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. As part of the program, $12 billion will be paid to American farmers in 2026. ... more
Bravo! G&R Farms brings national sustainability award home to Georgia
G&R Farms, a third-generation Vidalia and Peruvian sweet onion grower in southeast Georgia, was named a 2025 Sustainability in the Food Industry Award winner by The Shelby Report. The farm was recognized for its leadership in prec... more
