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13 posts

USDA Moves to Delay Long-Awaited Poultry Grower Protections

March 19, 2026
USDA has proposed delaying a rule that sets fair payment standards for poultry growers by 18 months, pushing implementation to the end of 2027. The rule aims to improve transparency and income stability for contract farmers. Advocates warn the delay would postpone long-awaited protections despite evidence these standards can work.
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Flooded bridge in Western North Carolina

Hurricanes Don’t Stop at the Coast

October 23, 2024
The French Broad River, which winds through the mountains of western North Carolina and crosses Asheville, has historically been impacted by hurricanes despite its inland location. Flooding from hurricane remnants is a recurring risk in this region, as seen in 2004 when remnants of multiple hurricanes caused the French Broad and other rivers to overflow, leading to extensive damage. Originally written in May, 2024, the author updated this article to reference to what was then the upcoming threat of Helene.
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The Dirt on Soil Testing

September 15, 2024
Soil testing can help you manage nutrients and amendments for optimum soil health, crop production, and pasture quality. Accurate and reliable test results depend on good sampling techniques. Get the most out of on-farm soil testing.
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The Eldests

April 15, 2024
The way we tell our stories influences how we view our lives in relation to our world. When we talk about economies, we are still telling a story. Whether our characters are data points or monetary values represented by numbers or by animals and stars, the story is one of management and redistribution of resources that helps us conceptualize what is possible.
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Climate’s Toll on Agriculture

April 15, 2024
From droughts to flooding to intense heat, the impacts of climate change on agriculture are becoming ever more extreme. This summary of the Fifth National Climate Assessment outlines the impacts of climate change on agriculture in the South and U.S. Caribbean islands.
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Cultivating Trust

April 15, 2024
As a farmer, using label claims effectively helps ensure that your products are appropriately valued. This article surveys some of the most commonly used labels and discusses how to determine whether a label or certification might be a good fit for your farming operation.
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Keep It Covered

September 15, 2023
Cover crops build soil health by reducing compaction, improving water infiltration, preventing erosion, fixing nitrogen, adding organic matter, suppressing weeds, and feeding beneficial microbes. Learn more about cover crop benefits and planning.
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