A West Virginia Senator has a strong message to consumers: “Stop taking farmers for granted.” Senator Jim Justice says a farm crisis has been brewing for some time now and warns it is coming to a head.
“Absolutely, we’re taking advantage of our small family farms, beyond belief. If you want a mile-long food in the grocery stores and pay 14 percent or whatever it is of your annual income towards food, quit taking advantage of these people, and quit taking ‘em for granted.”
Senator Justice says something has to be done to get younger farmers back to the farm. One researcher tells lawmakers that it is the largest issue right now.
“In 2025, more people will turn 65 than in any year in history. For every potential leader aged 35 to 50, two are preparing to retire. In agriculture, where many senior leaders have been in place for decades, this creates an acute succession challenge. And the next generation of leaders, especially those with agricultural backgrounds, is smaller than ever,” said Aaron Locker.
Locker and Senator Justice are both calling for a five-year Farm Bill. They also say more money is needed for ag research and career promotion.
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Higher yields are cushioning lower acreage, but reduced production could support firmer potato prices into 2026.
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Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
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Small, locally focused wineries are finding resilience through direct sales and regional loyalty rather than scale alone.
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Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
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