FFA News
Latest stories and updates from agricultural education.
OSHA Removes Inspection Goals for Workplace Heat Hazards
April 16, 2026 – Last week, the federal agency tasked with protecting Americans from workplace hazards removed specific goals that had previously resulted in a notable increase in inspections to identify heat conditions that could endanger workers. Dangerous heat exposure is a serious risk on farms, in food processing facilities, and in restaurants, and has […] The post OSHA Removes Inspection Goals for Workplace Heat Hazards appeared first on Civil Eats.
Excerpt: ‘Gather: Black Food, Nourishment, and the Art of Togetherness’
The following is an excerpt from Gather: Black Food, Nourishment, and the Art of Togetherness. Copyright © 2026 by Ashanté M. Reese, who is also a Civil Eats advisory board member. Used with permission of the publisher, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. My first concrete lessons in food inequity came from […] The post Excerpt: ‘Gather: Black Food, Nourishment, and the Art of Togetherness’ appeared first on Civil Eats.
Farmers Sue EPA Over Dismantling of Climate Policy
April 14, 2026 – Farmers joined a coalition of environmental groups last week to sue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its deregulating of greenhouse gas emissions. The lawsuit challenges the legality of the EPA’s rollback of vehicle emissions regulations and its repeal of the endangerment finding, the scientific determination that allowed the federal government […] The post Farmers Sue EPA Over Dismantling of Climate Policy appeared first on Civil Eats.
Deep Soils Could Hold Keys to Climate Resilience
Michael Strickland is no stranger to such unearthings. A microbial ecologist, he often goes into the field to collect soil samples, or cores, to study in the lab. Usually, he’s probing to a depth of about a foot. This dig will go 10 times deeper. As the press nears the 8-foot mark, the soil layer, […] The post Deep Soils Could Hold Keys to Climate Resilience appeared first on Civil Eats.
SNAP Participation Has Dropped Since Passage of Republican Tax Bill
April 13, 2026 – The number of people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dropped by 2.5 million people in the first six months after the passage of major policy changes to the program, a new report concludes. Nationally, enrollment in SNAP declined by 6 percent between July and December 2025, according to […] The post SNAP Participation Has Dropped Since Passage of Republican Tax Bill appeared first on Civil Eats.
April Seed Starting: What to Direct Sow vs. Plant Indoors
A good April seed-starting regimen can make all the difference for a farm's revenue or the food it provides to a family. With the local climate in mind, there are many plants you can start this month. However, whether April weather is warm or still cool in your region determines which seeds you should sow outdoors or start inside. The post April Seed Starting: What to Direct Sow vs. Plant Indoors appeared first on Modern Farmer.
‘More Than Just Their Work’: A Farmworker Advocate on Those Who Feed Us
In 2022, she received a James Beard Leadership Award for a project she launched there, “The Humans Who Feed Us,” a series of first-person stories about food-system workers. In February, she won the Elevate Prize for her work to end gender-based violence and promote gender equity. Ramírez’s multigenerational, migrant farmworker family inspired her life’s work. […] The post ‘More Than Just Their Work’: A Farmworker Advocate on Those Who Feed Us appeared first on Civil Eats.
Farm Journal Expands AgriTalk Markets Coverage with Michelle Rook
Kansas City, MO., (April 9, 2026) – Farm Journal, American agriculture’s leading business information and data insights company, announces Michelle Rook will on Monday become the host of AgriTalk PM. Rook will lead the afternoon program, focusing heavily on commodity markets and analysis for farmers and agribusiness professionals. Original host Chip Flory is stepping away […] The post Farm Journal Expands AgriTalk Markets Coverage with Michelle Rook appeared first on Farm Journal.
USDA Finalizes Rollback of Environmental Permitting Regulations
April 9, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week finalized a rule that will overhaul how the agency implements a key environmental law. The new rule will significantly pare back environmental impact requirements, eliminate opportunities for public comment, and remove climate change and environmental justice considerations. It represents a major change in […] The post USDA Finalizes Rollback of Environmental Permitting Regulations appeared first on Civil Eats.
Food Companies Backslide on Promises to Reduce Pesticides
More than six years later, the webpage that outlined that plan redirects visitors to a page on regenerative agriculture, where the word “pesticide” does not appear. “They are no longer aligning their regenerative agriculture program with pesticide reduction at all, which is obviously concerning, because what the soil science points to is that regenerative without […] The post Food Companies Backslide on Promises to Reduce Pesticides appeared first on Civil Eats.
Op-ed: USDA Canceled $300 Million in Contracts for First-Generation Farmers. What a Waste.
The funding came through the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program (ILCM), the result of years of advocacy. It was the federal government’s most ambitious effort to address the compounding barriers that young, underserved, and first-generation producers face in starting and sustaining a farm. In March, the USDA ended those projects, terminating the ILCMA […] The post Op-ed: USDA Canceled $300 Million in Contracts for First-Generation Farmers. What a Waste. appeared first on Civil Eats.
How to Kill Winter Crops Without Losing Soil Gains
As spring arrives, it’s time to kill cover crop plantings and either incorporate the plant matter into the soil or use it as mulch. In this article, I share the best methods for your farm's specific crop and conditions. The post How to Kill Winter Crops Without Losing Soil Gains appeared first on Modern Farmer.
Will AI Be a Net Positive For Aquaculture?
Some AI models try to predict disease outbreaks or track when nets need repairing. Some are also programmed to act without human input—for example, administering laser energy to kill sea lice, a major problem in the salmon industry. Most, however, focus on improving feed efficiencies, since feed averages 60 percent of a fish farm’s costs. […] The post Will AI Be a Net Positive For Aquaculture? appeared first on Civil Eats.
Trump Budget Request Cuts Nearly $5 Billion From USDA
April 3, 2026 – The White House has proposed a 19 percent cut in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with an increase in spending for the agency’s reorganization efforts. President Donald Trump sent his fiscal year 2027 budget request to Congress on Friday. In theory, the request will […] The post Trump Budget Request Cuts Nearly $5 Billion From USDA appeared first on Civil Eats.
EPA and HHS Announce New Efforts to Target Microplastics
April 3, 2026 – Leaders of federal agencies on Thursday announced two actions they say are aimed at protecting Americans from the potential dangers of microplastics. Microplastics are widespread in water and in farm soils, where they can alter soil biology and be taken up by plants. They have been found in fruits and vegetables, […] The post EPA and HHS Announce New Efforts to Target Microplastics appeared first on Civil Eats.
USDA Pauses Rural Energy Grants Amid Anti-Renewables Push
April 2, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has paused processing applications for a popular rural energy program, further delaying funds to farmers as high energy costs vex rural communities. On Tuesday, the USDA’s Rural Business Cooperative Service released a stakeholder announcement that it will pause Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) awards […] The post USDA Pauses Rural Energy Grants Amid Anti-Renewables Push appeared first on Civil Eats.
USDA Payments for Organic Farmers Delayed
April 1, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has yet to initiate the 2025 application and payment process for funds authorized by Congress to help farmers afford organic certification. Three months into 2026, the agency has not indicated when those funds might be made available. Due to rising costs of both certification and […] The post USDA Payments for Organic Farmers Delayed appeared first on Civil Eats.
5 Ways Interseeding Can Change the Farming Landscape
Interseeding is a combinative practice that often involves planting a cover crop within another cropping system. The benefits of doing so are much more than space-saving, and they effectively change the farm’s function and its output. The post 5 Ways Interseeding Can Change the Farming Landscape appeared first on Modern Farmer.
New AgDay Anchor Comes With Deep Farm Connections
Kansas City, MO., (March 24, 2026) – Farm Journal, U.S. agriculture’s leading business information and data insights company, has named Haley Bickelhaupt anchor of AgDay, the nationally syndicated newscast delivering daily news and analysis to America’s farmers and ranchers. She will lead daily coverage of ag markets, policy, and rural developments. Her role will have […] The post New AgDay Anchor Comes With Deep Farm Connections appeared first on Farm Journal.
11 Best Heirloom Tomatoes to Grow on the Farm
This year, bring these open-pollinated heirloom tomato varieties onto your land and into the market stand. Be a part of the legacy that heirlooms offer, and choose a few that thrive in your climate. The post 11 Best Heirloom Tomatoes to Grow on the Farm appeared first on Modern Farmer.
How to Start Tomato Seeds: 5 Expert Growing Tips
Tomatoes are the premier summer veggie, and the number of varieties available is a testament to their beloved nature. Here are a few extra tricks you can use to start tomato seeds so you can have tons for eating, canning, and bringing to market. The post How to Start Tomato Seeds: 5 Expert Growing Tips appeared first on Modern Farmer.
Spring Soil Amendments: What to Add to the Field in March
Get the farm ready for spring with March soil amendments and field prep that boost yields and improve the farm long-term. Always start with a soil test and add organic materials every year to keep things healthy and productive. The post Spring Soil Amendments: What to Add to the Field in March appeared first on Modern Farmer.
What to Plant in March: The Best Early Spring Crops
If you’re wondering what to plant in March, there are options regardless of your location. Some crops are meant to start now to have hefty summer yields, while others bolster the market stand as spring begins to bloom. The post What to Plant in March: The Best Early Spring Crops appeared first on Modern Farmer.
Your February Checklist: What to Do Now for Healthy Soil
As spring nears, it’s time to get the February soil checklist handy. Do these five things before the growing season starts to ensure plentiful yields and much success. You won’t regret the effort you put in come harvest time. The post Your February Checklist: What to Do Now for Healthy Soil appeared first on Modern Farmer.