Policy decisions in Washington, D.C., at on the state level affect everyone, but maybe agriculture more than most. From major efforts like the farm bill to more niche topics such as nutrition assistance, conservation, and rural development, policies play a huge role in agriculture and on the way our food system operates.

It’s incredibly important that ag has a presence in the making of these decisions. We need to have a seat at the table, not just spend our time producing food for the table.

Louisiana would be among the states hardest hit by the indefinite pause of funding from the National Science Foundation, with higher education leaders warning of catastrophic impacts to students and the economy. 

According to an internal memo exclusively reported by Nature, the National Science Foundation, one of the top federal funders of scientific research at Louisiana universities, is pausing funding of all existing grants and will stop awarding new grants. The agency announced it will also slash its indirect cost rate to 15%, joining the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy in doing so. Those cuts will result in tens of millions of dollars in loss for Louisiana universities. 

If Title I reference prices in the farm bill are increased significantly, it would be logical to also consider raising the current payment caps for farm program payments.

The darkest corner of buck fever hides addiction—and sometimes, fetish.

Staring at a headless deer splayed in a cornfield, game warden Craig Roberg had no inkling a killing spree was underway on Iowa farmland. The decapitated carcass, still oozing blood, was one link in a 52-kill chain, with each rack procured to satisfy a compulsion.