rural economy

USDA is reminding producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for fall-planted crops.

Governor Tina Kotek is worried the President’s latest tariff announcement will disrupt supply networks for Oregon businesses.

On Wednesday, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Montana’s Tim Sheehy introduced the bipartisan SAWMILL Act, which looks to supports mills across the nation

There is a lot of legislation on the books affecting agriculture every day, whether at the federal or state level.  But one piece of D.C. legislation you may not be familiar with is the Accessing Credit for our Rural Economy Act, also known as the ACRE Act.   “...

The January 2025 Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth neutral for the 16th time in the past 17 months.   For the eighth time in the past nine months, farmland prices took a tumble.  On average, bank CEOs who responded to the monthly survey expect annual cash rents of $278 per acre of non-irrigated, non-pasture farmland.  Farm equipme...

After three straight months of readings slightly above growth neutral, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index fell below the growth neutral threshold.  The March index slumped from 50.1 in February to a reading of 45.6 in March.  Despite...

“The outlook is bright, is hopeful," said Ag secretary Tom Vilsack at last week’s USDA Outlook Forum, telling those in attendance that agriculture is at a pivotal point of being able to make things much better for small and mid-sized producers and rural communities.   “The po...

Colfax Republican Joe Schmick says rural patients may not have a choice from where they get their prescription drugs, and he’s looking to change that.   He noted this past summer, the Washington Public Employee Benefit Board as well as the School Employee Benefit Board approved Kaiser Permanente as a health insurance provider.  He said ...

According to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, when it comes to crafting the new Farm Bill, the USDA’s role is one of advisory and providing information.  But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a wish list of his own.  First, he said it will be important all sides work together to get a Farm Bill done on time.    “It will be important and n...

What's being done to help rural economies grow and prosper.  And what more can be done?  Rod Bain has more.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com ...