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.
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Latest Tax Talk
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
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Business Tips and Tools
Farm Credit East offers more than just farm financing with Country Living Loans
Farm Credit East’s Country Living Loans program helps finance more than just your typical farm. Farm Credit East can do primary residence loans, construction loans, land loans and more. We also welcome the opportunity to finance mobile homes, unlike some other lenders.
April 15, 2025
Ag Economy
Key Factors to Watch in the Forest Products Market for 2025
With a challenging housing market and a resumption of 25% tariff on U.S. imports of Canadian goods, what is at store for the forest products industry for 2025? Farm Credit recently hosted a webinar with Paul Jannke, of Forest Economic Advisors, to present a 2025 forest products industry outlook. Below are key takeaways on current housing market trends, inflationary pressures and economic factors that are affecting the industry.
April 08, 2025
Crop Insurance
USDA Emergency Commodity Assistance Program: Applications Open
The USDA’s Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) opened applications on March 19, 2025, providing $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers. This initiative is part of a broader $31 billion package approved by Congress in December 2024, aimed at supporting farmers affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. The USDA plans to release initial payments, covering 85% of the total, with supplemental payments expected in the summer.
April 03, 2025
Business Tips and Tools
Vermont Saves Retirement Savings Program
Vermont Saves is a retirement savings program created to give an option to employers that do not offer retirement benefits. The Vermont Saves Program allows employees to contribute to their own Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) through automatic payroll deductions.
April 01, 2025
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