A drop in grain prices is making it tougher for grain farmers to pay rent on the land they lease. As a result, some overwhelmed grain farmers in the Midwest say that they are considering breaking their lease contracts. Many rent payments come due on March 1. These payments can range anywhere from a few […]
In the 1940s and 50s, despite the fact that tractors did not have cabs and there was no such thing as sunscreen, farmers were in many ways better protected than they are today from the sun’s damaging rays. Most farmers in those days wore light, long-sleeved shirts to protect themselves from the heat and bright […]
A lot is being said lately about soil conservation farming. Soil conservation farming is a movement that supports leaving fields untilled and using soil-enhancing methods to revive degenerated land. Proponents of soil conservation farming claim that this method of farming minimizes erosion and encourages plant growth. These proponents also claim that farmers that employ soil […]
The average age of farmers in the United States has reached 58.3 years. That’s according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture. Farming has always been a dangerous occupation and older farmers are at an increased risk. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that farmers over the age of 74 […]
It’s that time of year, when rural roads begin to fill up with large equipment as the busy harvest season begins. Unfortunately, it is also the time when law enforcement officials report an increase in accidents between farm equipment and other vehicles. In order for farmers and motorists to share the road safely, it is […]
Farmers’ Markets are all the rage these days. The fact that these markets are so popular may lead some people to the conclusion that they are a new phenomenon. However, Farmers’ Markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by smaller farms. Regardless of the origin of Farmers’ Markets, these markets are a […]