Increased Farm Costs Highlighted at USDA Forum

Minnesota sugarbeet farmer Neil Rockstad recalled a kitchen table conversation with his wife while speaking at the 101st annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.

Both Neil and Louisiana sugarcane grower Travis Medine presented as part of the sugar panel at the forum. They observed that labor and machinery were among the highest costs in their farm budgets.

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SugarcaneAvery Davidson
New Bipartisan Bill Would Deliver Tax Relief for Forest Landowners After Disasters

When hurricanes, wildfires, ice storms, or pest outbreaks hit, the financial impact on forest landowners can be devastating. Timber, the most valuable asset in most family-owned forests, can be wiped out in an instant. Yet under current law, timber is excluded from the Federal Crop Insurance Program and casualty tax deductions are limited. With limited assistance from the government and no widely available private insurance options, forest landowners are exposed to decades of risk without financial protection.

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ForestryAvery Davidson
Free Virtual Mental Health Services for Rural Communities Offered Through the SU Ag Center’s Rural Connections for Rural Resilience Program

The Southern University Ag Center will provide free virtual counseling services to Louisiana residents living in rural communities through its Rural Connections for Rural Resilience program.

The program, which is open to adults, aims to combat alarming mental health trends by providing free teletherapy services to underserved rural communities where access to mental health services is often limited due to geographical barriers.

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Farming Against the Grain: Melanie Netterville Beavers' Journey in Agriculture

In the heart of Tensas Parish, Melanie Netterville Beavers has made her mark on the agriculture industry alongside her husband Kody, working to maintain their family farm.  

Melanie didn’t begin her college journey with her sights set on production agriculture. Initially, she wanted to pursue a career in media for agriculture. However, her direction changed as she realized her passion for hands-on, outdoor work.  

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Avery Davidson