Latest news with #CensusofAgriculture
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Global organization works to unite, increase women in agriculture
Women are producers on 36% of the nation's 3.4 million farms and play a decision-making role at more than 50% of all farms, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Despite their clear presence in the industry, women remain underrepresented in agricultural leadership roles. This is one of several issues Utah-based Global Women Fresh seeks to improve in its international community of women, which seeks to create gender equity through leadership training, mentoring, and empowering women in the industry. Global Women Fresh was founded in 2019 by Julie Escobar, who was working in the industry and saw the need for a community where women in agriculture — from the farm to the boardroom — could connect with and strengthen each other in the male-dominated field. The global organization now focuses on three pillars to increase gender equity: forming networking connections, sharing the impact of female leadership in the industry and bringing advancement opportunities and training to women all over the world. Additionally, the organization aims to support women in agriculture through its Global Women Fresh Impact Award initiative, helping women worldwide. Most recently, this included providing medical insurance to female farmers in India following the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing a loan program for females who own and operate small farms in Africa and awarding 25 scholarships to women in Peru to learn essential irrigation techniques and gain agricultural training. 'Empowering women in agriculture isn't just about fairness; it's about building a stronger, healthier future for families, for Utah and for the world,' said Carmell Clark, transformational coach and executive committee member of Global Women Fresh. In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations proposed closing the gender gap in agrifood systems would, among other benefits, reduce food insecurity by 2% or by 45 million people globally. They suggested that localized interventions that empower women and seek to expand their reach on a broader scale, similar to Global Women Fresh's mission, will be most effective in creating economic growth and food security. 'The fact of it is, women strengthen important factors within this industry — like food security and sustainability and economic resilience — all around the world,' said Clark. 'It happens on the local level, it happens on the regional level, and it happens on the national and international level. So when we invest in women and we advance women, we're actually advancing food security on a local, regional, national, and international level.' Women make up the majority of produce pickers at around 80% of farms globally, according to Clark. Comparatively, Deloitte Insights reports that women only make up around 23% of company board members across all industries globally. While Global Women Fresh aims to increase gender parity in the industry, it mainly focuses on training women to seek promotions and excel at the executive level. The importance of increasing female presence in the boardroom, according to Clark, boils down to the multiplier effect. 'For every woman at the C-suite level — the top, executive level in an organization — at the next level down, you would have an exponentially higher number of women,' explains Clark. 'So one woman is (at the C-suite level), two women at the next level down, and then the next level down from that four, and the next level down from that 16. This exponential increase exists for women in industry, and that means if we're really wanting to make a major change in the industry, we have to be able to target those top three levels with companies, because the more women we have at those levels, the more women are able to enter and advance within all other levels of the organization and the supply chain all the way down. It also means more respect and recognition of women throughout the entire supply chain.' As a Utah native, Clark has worked with several companies in the state to provide women with leadership training. She noticed that women in Utah, similar to women around the world, experience difficulty when negotiating for higher pay, which Clark believes is a contributing factor to the wage gap. Utah has the largest income disparity between genders in the country, with men making a median income $20,000 higher than women, according to data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. Clark explained that while the local wage gap may have a cultural influence, it is also points to broader systemic issues if people are not being compensated equitably for the same work and experience level. This may be evident in industries where women are underrepresented, like agriculture. 'The fact that there aren't that many women in agriculture in Utah, when agriculture is a huge part of Utah's economy, is one of the signals that I think we need to look at,' said Clark. 'How do we promote that kind of equity so that is available for women who find that to be the way that they want to go? And then, how does our legislation serve women to create and bring about that kind of equity? Not just in agriculture and fresh produce, but across the board.' As the organization moves forward, Clark invites women in produce to get involved in their communities. She also suggests they attend events and conferences that connect and educate agricultural professionals, like the annual Southeast Produce Council or Fruit Logistica conferences. 'These are opportunities for women to be able to connect on the global stage and really be able to come back and bring their impacts back to ... where they are from,' Clark said. 'So if they're not participating in these, there is a place for them, and I would love for them to reach out to Global Women Fresh and have a conversation with us about how they can find their place in there.' In May, Global Women Fresh plans to partner with Clark to launch Power Circle, a new coaching subscription program that helps women in produce connect, network and participate in professional development monthly on a local and global level. The organization also plans to select the recipients of this year's impact award in the coming months, which will be announced on its social media. More information and news updates from the organization can be found on its website.
Reuters
30-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Black US farmers brace for impact amid tariffs turmoil
Summary Black farmers face historical challenges in accessing capital and land ownership Trump's tariffs criticized by farm groups, threaten farmers' competitiveness Race-neutral program passed after lawsuits against Biden's debt relief initiative Black farmers' share of U.S. farms has drastically declined over the past century BOYDTON, Virginia, April 30 (Reuters) - As a fourth generation farmer, Virginia resident John Boyd Jr typically spends the busy spring season prepping his land to plant sweet corn seeds and soybeans. But Boyd, the president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association, has also been busy fielding inquiries from Black farmers anxious about the impact of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. here. 'The farmers are calling and saying,'Hey, Boyd, should I plant my crop, man? This ain't looking good for us. Have you heard anything from anybody where we can get some emergency loans?' Boyd recounted in an interview, as he worked on his farm. 'And it's frustrating because the answer is no. We don't have the resources to help them.' In several interviews, agricultural sociologists, public health and government and governance experts and advocates said the impact of Trump's tariffs could be more acute for Black farmers, given their historical challenges in accessing capital, retaining ownership of their land and the enduring legacy of decades of discrimination and racism. Groups representing U.S. farmers and food processors have been mostly critical of Trump's tariffs on imports, which analysts say will hike prices for consumers. The American Farm Bureau Federation, the leading farm lobby, said the tariffs threaten farmers' competitiveness and could cause long-term damage. 'Everything about trade and tariffs over the past few months has just been so erratic that it is tough for businesses, for farmers, for analysts to know what's gonna happen, not only in the long term, but even from day to day or even hour to hour,' said Bill Winters, a Georgia Tech University sociology professor. Black farmers today account for less than 2% of all U.S. farmers, a share that has significantly dropped over the past century, according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. In 1920, 41.4 million acres were operated by Black farmers. By contrast, a USDA Census of Agriculture data report found Black producers operated 32,700 farms and ranches, covering about 5.3 million acres in 2022. In a March 2021 website post affirming the agency's commitment to civil rights, former USDA secretary Tom Vilsack said the government needed to acknowledge the "USDA's history of systemic discrimination via policies and programs designed to benefit those with access, education, assets, privilege rather than for those without." He pledged to root out systemic racism and barriers experienced by Black farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, and poor areas in rural America. The post appears to have since been removed, opens new tab from the USDA's site. Since returning to the White House, Trump has spent the past 100 days aggressively dismantling diversity -- and civil rights -- initiatives across the federal government. 'We spend most of our time just trying to survive on what's thrown at us,' Boyd said, noting that unequal access has existed regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. But he said farmers are concerned about the ripple effects of dismantling programs aimed at remedying discrimination. 'ACTION TO SUPPORT FARMERS' Farming accounts for more than a third of U.S. land. While the number of farms is dwindling and their average size growing, family-owned and operated farms still account for the vast majority of land farmed, according to USDA. A USDA spokesperson said that over the last four years, the Biden administration left the USDA "in complete disarray and dysfunction." "President Trump is taking strong action to support farmers by quickly rolling out programs like the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program that provides $10 Billion in direct assistance to producers," the USDA said in a statement. "USDA does not discriminate and single out individual farmers based on race, gender, or political orientation." The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed by former president Joe Biden in 2021, in part set aside billions in debt relief to help socially disadvantaged farmers -- and to address the USDA's history of discrimination. But, the program was repealed following lawsuits filed by white farmers. A subsequent race-neutral program was passed through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. 'With tariffs right now, from a Black farmer's perspective, it really doesn't affect us because we have been shut out for 100 years,' said Corey Lea, a Tennessee farmer and advocate. Keon Gilbert, a Brookings Institution governance studies fellow and Saint Louis University public health professor, said Black farmers fear they won't receive payments awarded as part of the legislation. The tariffs, he said, could compound an already fragile situation. 'What could possibly happen is we may see a continued decline in Black farms. Many of those farmers have smaller properties, smaller land, and that may all just go away," Gilbert said. Meanwhile, Boyd will continue to fight to preserve his family's multi-generational farming legacy. "By the grace of God, I'm going to plant my crops," Boyd said.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some Oklahoma farmers rely on wind power to survive. A new bill could stop that.
The year is 1974. John Denver is 'taking you home' from the dealership after purchasing your brand-new Gleaner Combine for just over $20,000. The wheat is golden, ready to be cut, and priced at a lucrative $4.83 per bushel. Fast forward to 2025. Your son has taken over the operations, and your grandkids are running a grain cart next to the combine. Yet, a new combine today costs anywhere from $400,000 to over $1 million. The land you purchased in the 1970s for less than $500/acre is now well above $3,000/acre, with interest at 8%. What hasn't changed? Your wheat still sells an agonizing $4.83 per bushel, close to what it did over 50 years ago. Family farms have long been at the heart of Oklahoma's culture and economy. Sadly, the USDA's Census of Agriculture reports an alarming decline in farms across the country, with 141,733 fewer farms reported in 2022 than just five years earlier. Today, farmers make up less than 1% of the U.S. population. Unpredictable weather, low commodity prices, rising costs, and the dominance of large farm corporations are forcing more family operations out of business. This steady loss raises serious questions about food security, rural identity, and the long-term sustainability of our agricultural communities. In a desperate attempt to uphold the family tradition, many farmers and ranchers look to a 9-to-5 job or pursue alternative means of production, with energy topping the list. Oklahoma's rich oil and gas history is largely credited with supplementing the family farm. Now, with the rise of renewable energy, many farmers and ranchers have found new ways to utilize their land and cultivate supplemental 'crops.' Renewable energy production has emerged as a lifeline for family farms facing economic pressures. It enables them to diversify their income sources and decrease dependence on conventional crop and livestock sales. Many Oklahomans recognize these benefits and willingly participate in renewable energy projects, driving Oklahoma to become the third-leading wind-producing state in the nation. Opinion: At first, I questioned the value of wind energy, but now I see its value Yet now, Oklahoma lawmakers are proposing punitive regulations that threaten to make development nearly impossible. HB2751 and SB2 are pathways to end wind development in our state by stripping landowners of their fundamental property rights. In both bills, adjacent property owners have the ability to restrict their neighbors from utilizing their land for wind development if they oppose such projects. These regulations would set the legal precedent to further infringe on private property rights, dictating what, where, when, and how landowners use their land. What farming practices will be on the chopping block next? Regardless of an individual's desire for wind development, private property rights begin and end at the fence line. These rights are fundamental to civil society and play a vital role in maintaining peace, order, and mutual respect among neighbors while giving landowners the freedom to support their families, traditions, and livelihoods. A vote in favor of either of these bills is a vote against the prosperity and future of rural Oklahoma families. Destinee and Brady Weeks live in northwest Oklahoma, where her family has farmed for over a century. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OK farmers would lose rights if anti-wind power bills pass | Opinion
Al Jazeera
09-04-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Soya beans: China and EU's secret weapon against Trump's tariff wars?
European Union countries approved a set of retaliatory levies on the United States on Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on America's trade partners. The tit for tat, which goes into force on April 15, comes as China also retaliated against Trump's tariffs this week. The unfolding tariff spat has destabilised global markets and seen stocks fall across the board. Trump's latest tariffs put a 20 percent levy on all EU goods. The tariff rate is 104 percent for Chinese goods. The EU's actions will target US aluminium and steel products, as well as American agricultural imports – key among them being soya beans – though these tariffs will likely be rolled out in a phased manner. One of America's biggest imports globally, could soya prove to be Washington's Achilles heel that trading partners, including the EU and China, use to hit back effectively? Here's what to know about what a soya bean trade war could mean – and why it could be a big deal for the US, economically and politically: Soya, in the form of whole beans, animal feed, or oil, is a cornerstone of the US agricultural industry and represents one of America's biggest agricultural revenue earners. It accounts for about 0.6 percent of GDP. The US has more than 500,000 soya bean producers, according to the Department of Agriculture's Census of Agriculture. That includes at least 223,000 full-time jobs supported by the soya bean industry, according to a 2023 report for the National Oilseed Processors Association and the United Soybean Board. The industry is worth $124bn in the US – that's more than the entire economy of Kenya or Bulgaria. Although local demand for soya in the US is growing, exports form the basis of the crop's success. The US is presently the second-largest exporter of soya beans globally, selling more than half its yield to about 80 countries. Soya beans contributed more than $27bn of US annual exports in 2023, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), an open-source data visualisation platform. That's more than any other agricultural export. China, which imports $15bn of US soya beans, is by far the most important market, followed by the EU – and especially Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, which buy about $2bn worth of the oilseed. Yet, both China and the EU are now at the heart of a global pushback against Trump's tariffs. They were both on the 'worst offender' list of countries hit by a barrage of tariff hikes announced by Trump last week. The list included countries that Washington claimed were unfairly taxing US goods in their countries. Trump slapped the EU with a 20 percent surcharge, apart from 25 percent levies on steel and aluminum, which form a key part of the bloc's exports to the US. China, in total, now faces a 104 percent tariff on all its US exports as of entities appear to be targeting US soya, a soft spot for Washington, considering the importance of their markets to American farmers. The EU earlier promised to target US goods worth up to €26 billion ($28bn) in retaliatory tariffs. A draft of the full list was leaked earlier but has not officially been released. On Wednesday, the bloc voted on a surcharge of up to 25 percent on the list of targeted goods. A first set of tariffs will be enforced from April 15. While those tariffs are expected to be enforced in phases, one of the products on the EU's list is soya. Meanwhile, US soya exports to China, its biggest market, are also facing a battering. China had earlier honed in on US food products, slapping a 15 percent duty on commodities like chicken, wheat and corn, while imposing a 10 percent levy on soya beans, meat and other farm exports. On Saturday, China placed an additional 34 percent on all US goods, bringing the surcharge on soya, in particular, to 44 percent. A further 50 percent hike on all US goods will take effect on Thursday, Beijing has announced. That means American soya beans will now face 94 percent tariffs in China. Experts say China can afford to gamble with soya because it has increasingly turned to Brazil for its soya imports since 2017 when the first trade war began during Trump's first administration. US soya exports to China have fallen in the time since, while Brazil now holds more than half of the market share. In 2024, Brazil exported $36.6bn worth of soya to China while the United States exported $12.1bn worth of soya. beans/status/1909613301564112985 American soya farmers have urged Trump to remove tariffs on China, the EU, and other top markets like Mexico. Most have emphasised China's importance to US farmers. 'China bought 52 percent of our (soya bean) exports in 2024,' the American Soybean Association's chief economist, Scott Gerlt, told the AFP news agency. Given the size of its purchases, China cannot easily be replaced, he added. Some farmers say many won't be able to hold out for too long if the trade spat continues, as their produce would become too expensive to be competitive on the global market. 'If this trade war lasts beyond the fall, you're going to see farmers go out of business,' soya bean farmer David Walton told US news channel ABC. The war on soya, and indeed, the tit-for-tat tariff row, could have deep political implications. So far, Trump has issued the policies as executive decrees, denying Congress the right to weigh in on the matter. But Republican Congressman Don Bacon, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell are preparing to introduce legislation that would force Trump to notify Congress of any new tariffs, with its enforcement subject to the House's approval, according to reporting by US publications Politico and Axios. The chances of the bill passing through are slim, however, since Republicans dominate the House and Senate. Still, whatever happens in Congress, the political consequences might be felt beyond Capitol Hill, too. Nearly all of the American soya bean exports to the EU come from Louisiana alone, the home state of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. The politician has nonetheless spoken in favour of the tariff hikes. In a press statement last week, Johnson said Americans should 'trust the president's instinct on the economy'. 'It may be rocky in the beginning, but I think in the end it will make sense for all Americans, it will help all Americans,' he said.
Al Jazeera
09-04-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Soybeans: China and EU's secret weapon against Trump's tariff wars?
European Union countries are set to approve a set of retaliatory levies on the United States on Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on America's trade partners. The expected tit-for-tat comes as China also retaliated against Trump's tariffs this week. The unfolding tariff spat has destabilised global markets and seen stocks fall across the board. Trump's latest tariffs put a 20 percent levy on all EU goods. The tariff rate is 104 percent for Chinese goods. The EU's actions will target US aluminium and steel products, as well as American agricultural imports – key among them being soybeans. One of America's biggest imports globally, could soy prove to be Washington's Achilles heel that trading partners, including the EU and China, use to hit back effectively? Here's what to know about what a soybean trade war could mean – and why it could be a big deal for the US, economically and politically: Soy, in the form of whole beans, animal feed, or oil, is a cornerstone of the US agricultural industry and represents one of America's biggest agricultural revenue earners. It accounts for about 0.6 percent of GDP. The US has more than 500,000 soybean producers, according to the Department of Agriculture's Census of Agriculture. That includes at least 223,000 full-time jobs supported by the soybean industry, according to a 2023 report for the National Oilseed Processors Association and the United Soybean Board. The industry is worth $124bn in the US – that's more than the entire economy of Kenya or Bulgaria. Although local demand for soy in the US is growing, exports form the basis of the crop's success. The US is presently the second-largest exporter of soybeans globally, selling more than half its yield to about 80 countries. Soybeans contributed more than $27bn of US annual exports in 2023, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), an open-source data visualisation platform. That's more than any other agricultural export. China, which imports $15bn of US soybeans, is by far the most important market, followed by the EU – and especially Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, which buy about $2bn worth of the oilseed. Yet, both China and the EU are now at the heart of a global pushback against Trump's tariffs. They were both on the 'worst offender' list of countries hit by a barrage of tariff hikes announced by Trump last week. The list included countries that Washington claimed were unfairly taxing US goods in their countries. Trump slapped the EU with a 20 percent surcharge, apart from 25 percent levies on steel and aluminum, which form a key part of the bloc's exports to the US. China, in total, now faces a 104 percent tariff on all its US exports as of entities appear to be targeting US soy, a soft spot for Washington, considering the importance of their markets to American farmers. The EU has promised to target US goods worth up to €26 billion ($28bn) in retaliatory tariffs. While those tariffs are expected to be enforced in phases, one of the products on the EU's list is soy. The bloc will vote on a surcharge of up to 25 percent on a list of targeted goods on Wednesday, with no opposition expected. A first set of tariffs will be enforced from April 15. Meanwhile, US soy exports to China, its biggest market, are also facing a battering. China had earlier honed in on US food products, slapping a 15 percent duty on commodities like chicken, wheat and corn, while imposing a 10 percent levy on soybeans, meat and other farm exports. On Saturday, China placed an additional 34 percent on all US goods, bringing the surcharge on soy, in particular, to 44 percent. A further 50 percent hike on all US goods will take effect on Thursday, Beijing has announced. That means American soybeans will now face 94 percent tariffs in China. Experts say China can afford to gamble with soy because it has increasingly turned to Brazil for its soy imports since 2017 when the first trade war began during Trump's first administration. US soy exports to China have fallen in the time since, while Brazil now holds more than half of the market share. In 2024, Brazil exported $36.6bn worth of soy to China while the United States exported $12.1bn worth of soy. American soy farmers have urged Trump to remove tariffs on China, the EU, and other top markets like Mexico. Most have emphasised China's importance to US farmers. 'China bought 52 percent of our (soybean) exports in 2024,' the American Soybean Association's chief economist Scott Gerlt told the AFP news agency. Given the size of its purchases, China cannot easily be replaced, he added. Some farmers say many won't be able to hold out for too long if the trade spat continues, as their produce would become too expensive to be competitive on the global market. 'If this trade war lasts beyond the fall, you're going to see farmers go out of business,' soybean farmer David Walton told US news channel ABC. The war on soy, and indeed, the tit-for-tat tariff row, could have deep political implications. So far, Trump has issued the policies as executive decrees, denying Congress the right to weigh in on the matter. But Republican Congressman Don Bacon, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell are preparing to introduce legislation that would force Trump to notify Congress of any new tariffs, with its enforcement subject to the House's approval, according to reporting by US publications Politico and Axios. The chances of the bill passing through are slim, however, since Republicans dominate the House and Senate. Still, whatever happens in Congress, the political consequences might be felt beyond Capitol Hill, too. Nearly all of the American soybean exports to the EU come from Louisiana alone, the home state of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. The politician has nonetheless spoken in favour of the tariff hikes. In a press statement last week, Johnson said Americans should 'trust the president's instinct on the economy'. 'It may be rocky in the beginning, but I think in the end it will make sense for all Americans, it will help all Americans,' he said.
