Just in Time in an Untimely Market
“Just in time” has become more than an application strategy; it’s now a purchasing strategy shaped by rising fertilizer costs and market uncertainty. As prices remain historically high and global pressures mount, farmers are being forced to rethink when—and how—they...
The Power of a Mentor
A great mentor doesn’t just teach you the job: they shape how you think, listen, and lead. Lessons from a legendary ag editor remind us why the right guidance can make all the difference.
The Original Farm App: The Notebook
Before apps, dashboards and precision tools, there was something simpler and just as powerful: a pocket notebook. Tucked into a shirt pocket, it held the story of every field, every decision and every season. For many farmers, it wasn’t just...
Seven Days, Countless Miracles
A lot can happen in seven days. On the farm, seeds emerge, roots stretch deep, animals grow, and crops begin to take shape. This Holy Week is a reminder that growth—both in the field and in life—often happens faster than...
Let’s Take Farming Back to the 90s
What was it really like to farm in the 1990s? From the biotech boom and the rise of GMOs to GPS, consolidation, and the shift toward efficiency at all costs, the decade reshaped agriculture in ways we’re still living with...
Crop Insurance Day: The Most Important Deadline in Farming
Today marks one of the most important deadlines in agriculture: Federal Crop Insurance enrollment. Used by more than 90% of commodity growers, this program provides a financial safety net that helps farmers manage risk in an increasingly volatile market. Here’s...
War Sends Shockwaves Through Farm Inputs
Global tensions are rippling through agriculture as fertilizer, fuel, and freight costs surge ahead of spring planting. With urea prices jumping and supply chains under pressure, farmers are once again facing rising input costs at the worst possible time.
Winter Drought Has Farmers Concerned
March may come in like a lion, but farmers aren’t listening for a roar — they’re listening for rain. With over two-thirds of the U.S. facing drought conditions, subsoil moisture levels are becoming a growing concern ahead of planting season.
The Busiest Slow Month in Agriculture
February may look frozen on the surface, but agriculture is anything but idle. From Federal Crop Insurance price setting and tax deadlines to almond blooms in California, spring calving, equipment maintenance and trade show season, this “slow” month is packed...
Farmer Sentiment: A 23-Point Gut Punch
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...
The President Who Planted the Future
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.
Grandma Nichols: A One-Room Schoolhouse Legacy
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...
