Latest News From Betsy Jibben

Potato, Apple Industries Want Their Shot with CFAP Payments Meanwhile, there are some ag sectors that feel they should get a shot at these CFAP payments since their industries suffered losses due to coronavirus too.

Christmas may be over and so is the retail market window for growers to sell poinsettias. That's because it only has a retail market until Christmas Day. AgDay journeys to a greenhouse during the retail rush.

One Michigan fruit farmer is fighting for his life after contracting Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). AgDay National Reporter Betsy Jibben visits the farm in Eau Claire, Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reporting four new cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been confirmed in Southwest Michigan, including two that were fatal.

AgDay National Reporter Betsy Jibben takes us near Bakersfield, California for a look at the sweet potato condition.

The Voice of the Farmer is a new exhibit located on the National Mall. It's just one component of a larger initiative called, “America’s Conservation Ag. Movement.”

There’s a new nod to farmers, ranchers and growers. The Voice of the Farmer is a brand new exhibit in Washington D.C. which celebrates agriculture and puts it on full display.

AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben talks with Toni Lynn Adams, Communications Outreach Coordinator with the Washington Apple Commission about dropping exports to China.

It’s the end of the term for the current FFA National President, Breanna Holbert following her year of firsts.

Some Democratic lawmakers indicate they will shut the government down unless something is done to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Millennials are gaining more influence with retailers and companies when it comes to food preferences in their purchases.

Some congressional delegates are threatening a government shutdown over hurricane relief funding. Lawmakers in Texas and Florida say the disaster funding plan, which could be attached to the continuous resolution, isn’t enough for their states. Lawmakers need to pass a bill by December 8 to avoid a government shutdown.

Jay and Cara Myers of Colfax, North Dakota are no strangers of technology. Farming in the state can be challenging due to a smaller window to plant and harvest. That’s why these 2014 Top Producer of the Year Candidates want to make every acre count.  As the remaining bushels of the 2017 crop gets shut in the bin, this North Dakota farm family is turning toward more pressing issues. AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben has the story. 

Produce growers are searching for long-term solutions not just a short-term fix when it comes to agricultural labor.    However, lawmakers and the farming community are mixed when it comes to those different solutions. The Ag Guest worker Act, introduced by Chairman Bob Goodlatte cleared the House Judiciary Committee in late October. It’s designed to replace the H-2A Program. That’s not the only piece of legislation floating around Congress.    Lawmaker Lamar Smith introduced legislation called the Legal Workforce Act, which could mandate employers to use the e-verify system to check legal status of agricultural employees.   It’s a tug-of-war battle to see which piece of legislation proposed at roughly the same time will work for farmers.   AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben talked with West Coast produce growers Neil Nagata with Nagata Bros. Farms in Oceanside, Ca., and Al Stehly with Rockwood Ranch in Escondido, Ca., about their challenges and thoughts on potential legislation. Betsy also talked with Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers as well. Listen to the full AgDay segment above.

Producers are one step closer to a new guest worker program designed to get more agricultural labor help to operations.  The Ag. Guest Worker Bill barely clearing the House Judiciary committee by a vote of 17 to 16 on Wednesday. The bill is designed to replace the current H2A program. 

While many have enjoyed these abnormally warm temperatures in February, it’s sparking fear among fruit farmers. 

The Supreme Court’s split decision on immigration last week is only ratcheting up commentary this election cycle. It is also creating unease for those operations that rely on immigrant labor.

Lockmasters worry about spring transportation

One Indiana school is taking a break from the textbooks and teaching students about agriculture with a more hands-on-approach, using a greenhouse as a classroom.

Millions of bushels of temporary and emergency grain storage have been piled in tarps and the ground this year. Those are bushels that will eventually need to be moved by truck, rail or barge. Lockmasters worry about how smooth moving 2014’s massive crop will be.

The river is freezing about a month early because of the cold snap, slowing transportation down.

But, tough weather conditions this past winter and summer are causing some production problems in parts of the state.