The Ruston Farmers Market began in 2007 as a simple conversation during a local book club. The idea sparked an effort to develop a thriving market powered by local volunteers, farmers and neighbors who believed in the project. The market grew from a small parking lot market, into an indoor renovated warehouse, weatherproofed and designed for vendors, customers and community events.
Read MoreA major ice and sleet storm on 24-25 Jan 2026 crippled much of the northern half of the state and brought I-20 to a standstill in places. For a number of parishes, freezing rain and sleet accumulations were as substantial as those which occurred in 2021 and 1973 according to locals.
Read MoreIn the tiny town of Richard in Louisiana, Savoy Farms has 1,600 acres dedicated to raising crawfish. When we visited the farm near the beginning of this year’s crawfish season, farm owner David Savoy said his crop had a way to go.
Read MoreThe U.S. government is elevating agriculture to a core national security priority, a shift officials say reflects growing concerns about foreign ownership of farmland, supply-chain vulnerabilities and global food instability.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) announced the conviction of a Rapides Parish resident in connection with a 2023 wildfire that burned approximately 27 acres of young pine plantation west of Glenmora.
Read MoreRural America is facing a mental health crisis. While Texas boasts the nation’s largest rural population and most farms and ranches — nearly 250,000 — it ranks dead last among states with access to mental health care. Neighboring Oklahoma is not far behind, highlighting a broader issue across the rural countryside.
Read MoreFor the middle schoolers at the Northwest Region 4-H Challenge Camp last week, teaming up to play cornhole, kickball and giant volleyball wasn’t just fun and games.
Read MoreConsolidation in ag, higher input prices, land access issues and other obstacles are making it hard for young farmers to gain a foothold in U.S. agriculture.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced proposed updates to federal line speed regulations in poultry and pork establishments operating under modern inspection systems. These updates reflect years of data and experience, and are designed to lower costs for American families, reduce outdated regulatory barriers for processors, and support a more efficient and resilient food supply.
Read MoreHouse Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) has finally released his eagerly awaited farm bill text and has scheduled a markup for the week of Feb. 23, but the package is facing obstacles that make advancing it look like a tall task.
Read MoreSugar is certainly a staple in lots of our favorite treats — sodas, candy, baked goods, just to name a few. Despite it being so common, many people don’t seem to know much about how sugar is created. It’s an interesting process going from a plant to the sweet, white crystals that we put in our food.
Read MoreLast week, more than 300,000 attendees packed the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville during the National Farm Machinery Show. The event was particularly special because it was celebrating its 60th year.
Read MoreGrain bin entrapments continue to pose very serious dangers to farm workers across rural America. New U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows 2025 was a record year for corn production, with more than 17 billion bushels harvested nationally. At the same time, corn stockpiles are expected to reach their highest level in eight years, creating an even greater need for proper storage and management of grain.
Read MoreThe number of U.S. farms shrank by 15,000 in 2025, bringing the total to 1.865 million, USDA said (last week) in its Land in Farms report. This continues a long-lasting trend of declining farm numbers. Analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation noted that farm bankruptcies were also on the rise.
Read MoreCorn and soybean prices have trended down for more than three years, squeezing margins. As preparations for the 2026 crop begin, are farmers looking at another tight year? Experts indicate most likely yes. What about the year after that and beyond? Maybe.
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