Specialty crop growers voice their concerns regarding the farm economy

The House Ag Committee held a hearing this week to examine the economic crisis in farm country and it featured perspectives from across agriculture, including specialty crop growers who underscored priorities for the sector.

Kam Quarles with the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance spoke with RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander on the outlook for the farm economy, the rising cost of labor, and tariff developments.

Related Stories
Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins discusses the potential impact of data center growth on farmland, the Landowner Fairness Act, and key priorities for Missouri farmers heading into planting season.
Dr. David Anderson with Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension discusses how geopolitical tensions and the Middle East, along with export disruptions in the Chinese market, will shape cattle markets in the months ahead.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold provides insights on supporting aging populations in rural communities on this week’s Rural Health Matters segment.
OHFB President Bill Patterson shares an update from Washington on the group’s policy priorities and the issues shaping agriculture ahead of the 2026 planting season.

Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.