Farmer confidence took a sharp turn in January, falling 23 points according to the Purdue Ag Economy Barometer. From projected losses in the Corn Belt to rising bankruptcies and tighter purchasing plans, the numbers point to a year defined by caution and tough financial decisions across farm country.
Before he led a nation, Abraham Lincoln worked the land. This week, we look back at how a farm kid’s firsthand understanding of agriculture helped shape policies, institutions and opportunities that still influence American farming today.
Nearly 100 years ago, Grandma Nichols taught every grade in a one-room schoolhouse on the Illinois prairie. Her lesson plans were built around corn, livestock, pollinators, and the everyday realities of farm life, proof that what we now call regenerative agriculture was simply called farming.
Arctic cold swept much of the country this winter, prompting warnings to bring pets indoors. But cattle don’t get snow days. Built with an internal furnace and guided by generations of husbandry wisdom, ranchers and their herds weather the cold together—fed, watered, dry, and checked no matter the conditions.
U.S. corn growers just shattered production records, topping 17 billion bushels for the first time ever. But while yields hit historic highs, corn prices moved in the opposite direction—setting up new challenges for markets, margins, and the broader farm economy in 2026.
Rising input costs and stagnant crop prices are squeezing farm margins to their widest gap in a decade. Yet despite the pressure, farmer sentiment remains surprisingly strong as growers look for smarter, more efficient ways to improve their operations rather than simply cutting rates.
A record-breaking $32,000-per-acre farm sale in northwest Iowa is turning heads across agriculture. While the math behind today’s farmland prices may not pencil out, limited land supply, prime soils, and motivated buyers continue to push values to historic highs.
USDA’s newly announced $12 billion relief package is meant to serve as a bridge for U.S. farmers facing mounting financial pressure. However, with rising input costs, trade disruptions, and a reliance on record subsidies, many growers will spend their checks before they even arrive.
From fresh pine scent to sustainable farming, real Christmas trees do more than brighten the holidays. This week, we explore how America’s Christmas tree farmers grow a renewable crop that supports local agriculture, boosts wildlife habitat, and helps the environment, one seedling at a time.
Blooming just in time for the holidays, the Christmas cactus is more tropical than desert-tough. Native to the Brazilian rainforest, this festive plant thrives in humid conditions, indirect light, and even grows on trees, making it a unique holiday classic with a surprising backstory.
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