Agtech Seedlings: Bonsai Robotics secures $15M to advance automated fruit harvesters

Also in this week’s farm technology news: CH4 Global begins large-scale production of methane reduction feed additives and an indoor greens grower expands and rebrands.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 31, 2025

Farmland loans for regenerative agriculture: FBN and Walton family launch ‘first-of-its-kind’ lending program

Amid a downturn in the farm economy and federal funding uncertainty, a new pilot offers additional incentives for producers to adopt sustainable practices. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 31, 2025

Zeldin is confirmed as the new EPA administrator. What’s next?

Agriculture groups welcomed the former New York representative’s approach to deregulation and his support for extending year-round access to E15.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Jan. 30, 2025

Trump freeze on federal grants and loans sparks confusion in agriculture

The Office of Management and Budget said aid to farmers won’t be affected, but listed dozens of USDA programs to be reviewed for “Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies.”

By Justin Bachman , Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Jan. 29, 2025

Investment in agtech startups plummeted in 2024

Deal activity fell 25% during the year with a string of companies declaring bankruptcy, but Pitchbook analysts say a rebound could still happen.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 27, 2025

Trump’s agriculture secretary nominee lays out ‘day one’ priorities for USDA

Brooke Rollins presented her vision to "modernize" the department and sided with the president on controversial issues like immigration and tariffs.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 24, 2025

Agtech Seedlings: CH4 Global to expand methane-reducing cattle feed with Mitsubishi

Also in this week’s farm technology news: Deere & Co. will partner with six agtech startups in 2025, and Google makes two biochar carbon credit deals.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 24, 2025

How a rare southern snowstorm could bring risks to farms

Experts warn citrus and livestock farmers in states like Texas, Georgia and Alabama will need to take precautions to protect their operations.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 23, 2025

Agriculture Dive to stop publishing

On Feb. 1, 2025, Agriculture Dive will stop publishing. We hope our daily coverage of the agriculture space was helpful to you.

By Davide Savenije • Jan. 23, 2025

USDA releases guidance on climate-smart crops in biofuels

The interim rule gives insight into how farmers can access renewable fuel tax credits, though a Trump administration freeze on recent federal regulations is creating more uncertainty.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 22, 2025

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