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

Farm Labor Policy in Transition: Updates on SAWA, H-2A and AEWR

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article explores how proposed H-2A reforms and recent wage-rate changes could affect Northeast agricultural employers, including workforce access, labor costs, program flexibility and compliance—and what these evolving policies may mean for the future of farm labor.

October 5, 2026

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Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

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Business Tips and Tools
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Trending Scams to Watch For

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to recognize today’s evolving online threats and the steps everyone can take to stay safer. Every day, cybercriminals develop new ways to steal information, access accounts and trick people into sending money. Technology continues to evolve, but many scams still rely on a simple tactic: convincing someone to trust the wrong person.

October 14, 2026

Featured Webinar

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Business Tips and Tools
Apple Industry Outlook Webinar
Join Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit as they host Chris Gerlach of USApple for a discussion on the prevailing trends and forces shaping the U.S. apple industry.

April 15, 2027

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Tag: apple 
Ripe juicy red apples in a container. Production facilities of large warehouse - grading, packing and storage of crops.
Crop Insurance
New Variety-Specific Apple Crop Insurance Coverage Available for New York Growers in 2027
Farm Credit East applauds the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) expansion of the Apple Crop Insurance Program to allow many apple varieties to be insured individually rather than grouped within broader fresh apple categories. 

August 27, 2026

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Crop Insurance
USDA Risk Management Agency Announces Emergency Claim Procedures for New York Apple Growers Following Spring Freeze

Following the devastating spring freeze that damaged apple orchards across key production regions, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced emergency procedures to accelerate crop insurance claim processing and indemnity payments for impacted New York apple growers.  

July 08, 2026

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Crop Insurance
USDA’s New ASCF Program: What Specialty Crop Growers Should Know (and Do) Right Now

If you grow specialty crops, there’s a new USDA program worth your attention. The Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program was designed to help producers navigate the financial pressure many faced in 2025. Rising input costs, ongoing inflation and market disruptions all contributed to tighter margins. This program offers a one-time payment to help offset those challenges. 

June 02, 2026

Ripe juicy red apples in a container. Production facilities of large warehouse - grading, packing and storage of crops.
Ag Economy
2026 Apple Outlook: High Supply with Tight Margins

The U.S. apple industry is moving a lot of fruit, but profitability is being squeezed by heavy supply, stubborn demand and rising costs. Farm Credit East recently hosted a webinar with Chris Gerlach of USApple for an overview of the industry. The following are key points growers should be aware of as they plan orchard decisions, labor and marketing for the season ahead. 

May 19, 2026

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