Farmers across the country could face significant economic losses due to PFAS contaminations and not even be aware.
The Environmental Working Group estimates that nearly 20 million acres of land could be impacted by these forever chemicals.
The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act was introduced to the Senate in 2023, proposing a $500 million federal grant program.
There is no word on whether the bill will be a priority this season.
However, supporters believe it could be a game changer for the survival of impacted farms and U.S. food security. Nearly 90% of Americans are believed to be impacted by PFAS contamination.
Some environmentalists call it a national crisis.
Related Stories
The $221 million will help farmers and ranchers cover losses from Hurricane Helene that USDA programs didn’t cover. They’ll focus on infrastructure, markets, timber, and future economic losses.
Tom Peterson with the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association says taxpayers are “unfortunate casualties” of this overlay now that the Mexican wolf population is stable under ESA guidelines.
Co-Bank Lead Dairy Economist, Corey Geiger, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report for a further look at the drop in replacement heifers and the trend’s longterm impact on dairy producers and cattle prices.
The agriculture workforce’s struggles with labor issues in recent years have opened the door to more automation and integration of artificial intelligence (AI).