Greenville University Agribusiness, a Decade of Program Success
In 2016, I was invited to build a 4-year agribusiness program at Greenville University (GU) in Greenville, Illinois. We did it. Success is sometimes difficult to measure, but in this case, success is a measure of achieving our goals and … Continue reading →
Which Sector Leads Agricultural Workforce Development?
Is it the 4-year, higher education, secondary education, or the rapidly changing agricultural industries? In a perfect world all these groups would complement each other. They do work together, actually, but under the surface there is competition for that leadership … Continue reading →
Where Have All the Domestically Produced Manure Nutrients Gone?
We are still using them. This chart is from the data in the USDA, 2022 Census of Agriculture, Volume 1, Table 40, Fertilizers and Chemicals Applied: 2022 and 2017. It is convenient that the Census of Agriculture now contains manure … Continue reading →
Composting Adds Value Regardless of the Economic Chaos Flavor of the Day
With great confidence, all organics are going to rot. There is a gratifying consistency in this certainty. The global and US farm economies are on fire with wars and rumors of wars. It is a difficult season to be a … Continue reading →
Negative Population Growth in US Rural Nonmetropolitan Counties
In January 2026, the USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) published the latest update of Rural America at a Glance: 2025 Edition. The companion chart to this post is from that publication, but is also the same chart that was published … Continue reading →
Unpacking the Latest ReFED Food Waste Impact Findings
Last year, I became aware of ReFED.org and their work on food waste. Their report, “From Surplus to Solutions: 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report,” was popular in the food waste circles. It is an impressive document and an even … Continue reading →
National Ag Day and the Role of Agribusiness in the Economy
In celebration of National Ag Day, March 24, 2026, we are rallying from a winter of light blog posting, to recognize agribusiness’ role in the US economy. There is general consensus about the scope of the agribusiness industry, except within … Continue reading →
Nora Goldstein and the BioCycle Legacy Continue
This news of Nora Goldstein’s changing role at BioCycle came out two weeks ago and it was too important not to circle back. I am grateful to have had the chance to work and learn together with Nora Goldstein and … Continue reading →
The Unsung Role of Gravity in Residential Energy System Operation
Gravity is underrated in our world. It is taken for granted in residential energy systems. As an agricultural systems analyst we design our systems using gravity whenever possible. In, Grain and feed handling Liquid and dry manure handling Barging grain … Continue reading →
Three Flavors of Production Information Aid Farmers in January 2026
I am a fierce advocate for farms and farming. But what is a farm? And who is a farmer? There are lots of social media posts on this topic. I write often on this topic and have asked these questions … Continue reading →