Foreign ownership of US farmland continues to rise, but Chinese holdings dip

As renewable energy projects drive foreign land investments, acreage owned by China has declined 27% between 2022 and 2023, according to the USDA’s latest report.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 17, 2025

Agtech seedlings: Amazon-backed Windfall Bio hits commercial milestone for methane-eating microbes

Also in this week's farm technology news: Syngenta to speed up biostimulant development with AI, and Pilgrim's Pride expands its renewable gas efforts at a South Carolina plant.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 17, 2025

USDA invests $180M in biofuels and clean energy projects

The Biden administration has doled out $3.3 billion to expand solar, wind and biofuels infrastructure across rural America.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 13, 2025

Adopt a class cow? How schools are helping students understand where food comes from.

A variety of new resources are giving students hands-on opportunities that illustrate the role tech plays in agriculture.

By Lauren Barack • Jan. 13, 2025

5 agriculture trends to watch in 2025

It could be a tumultuous year for farmers with experts predicting low commodity prices, extreme weather events and changes in food policy to reshape industry priorities.

By Sarah Zimmerman , Nathan Owens • Jan. 8, 2025

Tropicana orange supplier Alico to exit citrus business

The company concluded that "growing citrus is no longer economically viable for us in Florida," with disease and hurricanes reducing production by 73%.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 8, 2025

Confection companies may pass higher cocoa costs on to consumers for Valentine’s Day

The price increase comes after cocoa futures doubled in late 2024, putting pressure on food makers already paying more for the commodity.

By Chris Casey • Jan. 7, 2025

Agtech seedlings: Florida farmers team with startup Ohalo to breed a disease-resistant strawberry

Also in this week's farm technology news: Deere highlights tech investments in U.S. manufacturing, and CNH announces leadership changes.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 3, 2025

Food’s guide to shrinking the climate crisis: Q&A with Mark Easter

The researcher at Colorado State University examines the environmental impact of the U.S. food system, one crop at a time.

By David Silverberg • Jan. 2, 2025

Inside the race to save Florida’s oranges

The state’s citrus industry is expecting one of its lowest production levels on record after recent hurricanes. But promising new science to address a devastating tree disease is giving growers hope.

By Leah Borts-Kuperman • Jan. 2, 2025

Farm bill extended in last minute funding deal: What to know

The final agreement is set to provide farmers with $10 billion in one-time economic payments to offset income losses.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 21, 2024

Agtech seedlings: Plenty closes flagship indoor lettuce farm in California

Also in this week's farm technology news: Growers Edge acquires fintech to help lenders better assess climate risks on farms, and Sound Agriculture raises $25 million for sustainable fertilizer solutions.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 20, 2024

US Forest Service to launch national apprenticeship program

The new initiative with Institute for Workplace Skills & Innovation America is intended to address workforce gaps and create career paths for diverse communities.

By Carolyn Crist • Dec. 19, 2024

Another farm bill extension is inevitable. But can farmers still get economic relief?

House Republicans proposed $10 billion in one-time payments to offset financial losses in the agricultural sector.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Dec. 18, 2024

Farm conservation funding hit a record high in 2024. A majority of farmers still got nothing.

Close to two-thirds of applicants for the USDA’s flagship climate programs were rejected despite increased investment from the Inflation Reduction Act.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 11, 2024

Campbell’s launches regenerative agriculture pilot for potatoes with grocer Ahold Delhaize

The Stop & Shop owner has worked with some of the largest food companies to transform supply chains for well-known brands.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 10, 2024

Mondelēz VC arm invests in cocoa-tech company Celleste Bio

The Cadbury and Toblerone maker was among the investors who participated in a $4.5 million financing round for the developer of cell-cultured cocoa.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 9, 2024

Macadamia mania descends upon the US

The seed has grown in popularity among consumers looking for healthier snacks, with increased demands for sustainability transforming the way the crop is grown.

By Jennifer Lawinski • Dec. 6, 2024

US agriculture has the potential to be greenhouse gas negative. Here’s how.

The biggest opportunity to reduce emissions is also one of the easiest for farmers, according to a new study.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 3, 2024

US cotton production slashed from Hurricane Helene

Georgia, the nation's second largest producer of the crop, lost 32% of its harvest, pushing national yields to record lows.

By Nathan Owens • Dec. 3, 2024

Key takeaways from COP29: a contentious finance deal, carbon markets, more

The annual climate summit also set up a “loss and damage fund” for vulnerable nations, which advocates say should prioritize agriculture.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 3, 2024

Building a resilient food system begins at the farm

Regenerative agriculture plays a critical role for building the resilience of our food system to feed a growing global population.

By Brooke Hokana Hansen, Vice President, Sustainability, Cargill Agriculture & Trading • Dec. 3, 2024

Critical benefits of regenerative agriculture are flying under the radar

Sustainable farming practices can do more than just address climate challenges, writes Bayer's Leo Bastos.

By Leo Bastos • Dec. 2, 2024

Who is Brooke Rollins? What to know about Trump’s pick to lead USDA

The conservative lawyer is CEO of right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute, which is poised to exert enormous influence in the president-elect's second term.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 25, 2024

Agtech seedlings: Indigo Ag, Truterra partner to get more farmers enrolled in sustainability programs

Also in this week's farm technology news: Almanac buys assets of shuttered startup Gro Intelligence, and Bayer teams with Orbia Netafim to develop a digital platform for fruit and vegetable growers.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 22, 2024