US Farm Producer Age Category by Value of Production – Part II
In the recent post, US Farmer Age is Inversely Related to Value of Production, average farm producer age in 2022 was 55 years of age on farms that had over $1,000,000 in annual farm production. All 3.5 million farm producers … Continue reading →
US Farmer Age is Inversely Related to Value of Production
Since the 2022 Census of Agriculture was released in February 2024, there has been extensive discussion about the aging of farmers and producers. It is true. With each successive Census – every 5 years – the average age of farmers … Continue reading →
Hemp Producers are Bucking the Aging Farmer Trend
The USDA provides a treasury of farm data in many different formats. With decades of farm data experience, I hoped I could bring new insights into the ‘aging farmer’ discussion. What I learned instead is that hemp producers don’t fit … Continue reading →
Energy Independence Reflections: July 4, 2025
The Big Beautiful Bill has passed. I am trying to keep up as best as a multi-value chain, policy-adjacent economist can. I am a professional skeptic, and therefore, am pretty sure that regardless of the new policy, we will forge … Continue reading →
Great Visuals on Biogas State Production Potential from ABC
The American Biogas Council (ABC) had made available current and potential capacity of local state-level biogases, also known as, biogenic methane and other gases produced from ambient organic feedstocks. The ABC has been in action for less than two decades, … Continue reading →
Renewable Power Capacity Differs by State – Making $ense of Energy
On a total energy consumption basis, the United States hovers just above 10 percent that is sourced from renewable fuels; wind, solar, biomass, hydroelectric, and geothermal feedstocks. On a recent road trip, it was clear that the Midwest States were … Continue reading →
Breaking Egg News: Below $3.00/dozen – Real Adventures in Economics
In our Central Illinois community, both Kroger and Walmart are selling eggs below $3.00/dozen. It is difficult to believe that this is news. However in 2025, the retail price of a dozen eggs was high enough to drive the nation’s … Continue reading →
Local Ag Drone Pilot Workshop Clarifies Certification, Maintenance and Drone Operation
The Ag Technologies Solutions Group, in Greenville, Illinois, has a vision for simplifying drone pilot training, Part 107 certification, and demystifying drone operations. ATSG has created a hands-on workshop on navigating the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies surrounding piloting unmanned … Continue reading →
Terrain Ag – Economic Sustainability of Dairy Digesters – Making $ense of Energy
Ben Laine, Terrainag.com wrote an interesting report dairy digester sustainability. One graphic message in an animated version of this map shows US dairy digester growth since 2001. Dairy digesters keep growing in size. The most recent digesters dwarf the earlier … Continue reading →
I Went Looking For America and Found It! – Secret Life of Rural America
A good friend invited me to Hutchinson, Minnesota last weekend to celebrate a joyous life event. Working in the Midwest most of my career, it is often easiest just to drive rather than fly to neighboring states. Earlier in my … Continue reading →