Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

Discover insights, trends, ag market outlooks and other topical information as it relates to the Northeast's diverse agricultural industries. Brought to you by Knowledge Exchange from Farm Credit East.
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Knowledge Exchange Partner

Knowledge Exchange Partner

United States Citizenship and Immigration Service Clears H-2A Path for Dairy Employers

A new USCIS policy is opening the door for dairy producers to access the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, a workforce option that has long been out of reach for year-round dairy operations. This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner discusses how the updated guidance could help dairies address labor shortages, support seasonal workforce planning and navigate new petition requirements moving forward. Republished with permission courtesy of Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law.

July 7, 2026

Cow milking facility and mechanized milking equipment

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Capital building with farm field background
Public Policy
2026 Farm Bill Takes Shape: Comparing the House and Senate Proposals

After nearly three years of short-term extensions, Congress is once again debating and drafting comprehensive farm legislation. In May, the House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), while in late June Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (AR) released the Agricultural Act of 2026, a “discussion draft” providing the Senate a starting point for negotiation with other committee members. 


July 7, 2026

Featured Webinar

A display of red ripe Macoun apples - a sweet crisp eating apple from the Hudson Valley of New York State.
Business Tips and Tools
2026 Apple Industry Outlook Webinar
Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit recently hosted Chris Gerlach of USApple for a discussion on the prevailing trends and forces shaping the U.S. apple industry.

April 16, 2026

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Apple harvest in large wooden bins.
Tax Talks
Important Tax Considerations for Apple Growers

As the 2024 growing and harvest season wraps up, many producers will be turning to their tax advisors to continue the year-end tax planning conversation. In this article, we examine a few areas that may be of interest to apple producers and their advisors. 

October 29, 2024

 A corn field and farm buildings in the Finger Lakes Region of Upper New York with Tax Talk logo in lower right corner
Tax Talks
A Guide for Understanding New York State Land Credits

As we navigate the complexities of tax season, it's essential to stay informed about the various credits and deductions available to you. One such benefit is the Farmers School Tax Credit (FSTC), a valuable resource for those engaged in the business of farming. This blog aims to provide a high-level overview of the FSTC and Manufacturer’s real property tax credit to ensure you have the information needed to maximize your tax savings.

October 08, 2024

Small business owner going through paperwork with her workers at garden center.
Tax Talks
Beneficial Ownership Information: Who is Required to Report?

Earlier this year, Farm Credit East held a webinar reviewing The Corporate Transparency Act and the new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements that went into effect on January 1, 2024. Several webinar attendees asked questions about how these requirements apply to different business structures.

September 24, 2024

Middle aged woman completing tax paperwork
Tax Talks
Navigating Charitable Contributions Post-TCJA

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) enacted in 2017 and in effect from 2018 – 2025 has had a substantial effect on itemizing deductions. The resulting changes have impacted the tax consequences of making charitable contributions, especially for senior citizens. A remedy to this can be to use Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from an IRA account.

August 28, 2024

Northeast Economic Engine

Download Farm Credit East’s Northeast Economic Engine report, which analyzes the economic impact of the Northeast agriculture, forest products, commercial fishing and food manufacturing industries. This report was released in October 2024. 

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Cover of the 2024 Economic Impact report