Today’s Harvest Blog

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for those in agriculture, recognizing the importance of mental health is crucial. The industry faces unique stressors like weather and economic uncertainty, coupled with the demanding nature of farm work. Farm Credit East and its partners are committed to providing tools and guidance to help farmers, fishers, foresters and their families manage these challenges.

As agriculture continues evolving at a rapid pace, farmers face both exciting opportunities and complex decisions about which technologies truly add value. In a recent Farm Credit East webinar, Joe Waddell, Industry and Innovation Officer at Horizon Farm Credit, provided a comprehensive look at the trends shaping modern farming.

A short stretch of warm days in April may prompt and early start to the growing season for orchards and vineyards across the Northeast. Unfortunately, there is still a chance of low temperatures and frost which may lead to crop damage and potential loss. Producers with crop insurance need to know their next steps if damage is discovered.

Northeast farms innovate every day—and some of that experimentation may qualify for the federal Research & Development tax credit. Using a recent U.S. Tax Court case, we shed some light on how the credit works, what expenses may count, and why strong, documentation can make or break a claim.