Today’s Harvest Blog

Today’s Harvest is a valued, timely resource for stories, news, tips and information relevant to Northeast agriculture and our customers.
Farm tractor in a field during the fall harvest

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

Business Tips and Tools

Key Updates to H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates for Northeast Agricultural Employers

Austin Weaver

On October 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a new Interim Final Rule (IFR) that significantly revises how Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) are calculated for H-2A guestworkers. AEWRs set the minimum hourly wages that must be paid to H-2A workers and those in corresponding employment. This rule introduces major changes affecting wage structures across Farm Credit East’s eight-state region, with important implications for farm operations and labor management.

November 4, 2025

Farm workers harvesting vegetables in a field near a red tractor with a wagon

Latest Tax Talk

male farmer working on a laptop computer on his truck hood in front of a cow pen
Tax Talks
Maximizing Your Farm’s Bottom Line: Income and Expense Reporting

Filing farm taxes doesn’t have to be confusing. The IRS requires you to report all income unless specifically excluded, and only deduct expenses that are both ordinary—common in farming—and necessary—helpful for your business. Understanding these basics can save you time and stress.

October 27, 2025

Today's Harvest Blog

Aerial view of a drone flying over forest, monitoring and analyzing in forestry management.
Innovation and Emerging Markets
What’s the Return on AI in Agriculture?

In agriculture, change is a constant. With the many variables those in agriculture deal with each day — weather, wildlife, disease, markets, consumer preferences — technology may be one of the easier variables to adapt, adopt and hopefully add value to the operation for the long term. In fact, farmers are often early adopters of new technologies, but what benefits can new technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), bring to an operation? Let’s break it down.

 

October 22, 2024

Person touching virtual shield, secure access, encrypted connection. Password protected system and storage.
Business Tips and Tools
Stay Cyber Safe: 6 Tips to Spot Email Spoofing

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Farm Credit East is committed to providing awareness of common online threats like fake emails (phishing or spoofing), harmful software (malware), and trickery (social engineering), as well as providing the resources and support you need to understand and navigate these challenges. Learn how you can protect yourself. 

 

October 15, 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

Rural home Construction In Framing Stages
Business Tips and Tools
5 Steps to Building Your Rural Home

Whether you already own rural land or are searching for your future construction site, building a home in the country doesn’t have to be a hassle. Read on for tips from the team at Country Living Loans for building your dream rural home — from lot purchase to final mortgage.

October 02, 2024

Meet the Authors

Connect with and discover our Today’s Harvest blog authors and their broad range of financial and northeast agricultural expertise.