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Employment data in rural America
USDA’s "Rural America at a Glance" report gives insight into employment trends in rural areas of the United States. USDA research economist Tracey Farrigan says from 2023-2024 employment in rural areas grew at a rate of about .6%. She says this was a continuation of a trend of employment growth with recovery of jobs following the pandemic. Farrigan says the period from 2020-2023 saw a steep growth of employment but adds that the .6% growth from 2023-2024 was in line with expectations. Farrigan...
Secretary Naig requests nominations for renewable fuels marketing awards
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today invited Iowans to nominate fuel marketers and gas stations in their communities for the Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards. The Secretary’s annual awards recognize retailers that go above and beyond in their efforts to...
Grain bags find second life through recycling
It’s that time of year when harvest is winding down and farmyards across the Midwest are filling up with leftover grain bags. They’ve served their purpose, but now comes the question of what to do with them. Most grain bags are designed for single use, and that means...
USDA to issue full November SNAP benefits
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a letter to SNAP State Agency Directors informing them that it will be releasing full November SNAP funding. The move is in compliance with a federal court order issued Thursday by the District Court of Rhode...
Chinese trade deal framework may not be as bullish as it seems
With the lack of government reports we’ve seen during the shutdown, the ag marketplace is desperately searching for any news to react to. The Chinese trade deal framework provided a decent shot of energy to the market prices, but the deal may not be as bullish as it...
Ag Economy Barometer looks ahead to 2026
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer is a monthly index that measures the economic sentiment of U.S. agricultural producers. It is used as a weathervane to determine general farmer sentiment of the ag economy in the present while also looking towards...
Phosphate, potash added to critical minerals list
The United States Geological Survey has added both phosphate and potash to the federal list of minerals considered critical to national security and economic stability. The decision—published Thursday by the U.S. Department of the Interior—raises the total number of...
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Secretary Naig urges CARB to quickly implement E15 to benefit California drivers
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig submitted formal comments to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) urging swift action to make E15 available to California drivers. CARB is currently evaluating its implementation plan for allowing the sale of E15, a...
Will EPA back rural America or Big Oil?
As the push for higher ethanol blends accelerates, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says some of the most important decisions still ahead rest with the Environmental Protection Agency. She says the way EPA handles small refinery exemptions, reallocation, and long-term...
Food Bank of Iowa receives fourth annual Meat the Need donation
This morning, Fareway Stores and the Iowa Farm Bureau delivered 25,000 pounds of protein to the Food Bank of Iowa for the fourth consecutive year of the Meat the Need initiative. The donation will provide 100,000 servings of high-quality protein to Iowans who are food...
Applications open for 2025 America First Trade Promotion Program
USDA announced it is now accepting applications for the 2025 America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP). U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the program, first announced by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins in late September, was authorized...
Nationwide E15 legislation could be on the table in near future
As we approach the tail end of the year, little opposition remains to year-round E15 sales. The biggest issue holding back legislation at the federal level is an opportunity to move an E15 bill through Congress says the Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO...
