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

Farm Credit

Employee Spotlight: A Day in the Life of Tax Specialist Phil Murphy

Elisabeth Olcott

As a tax specialist with Farm Credit East's Financial Accounting Services (FAS) team, Phil helps agricultural businesses navigate everything from annual tax preparation and year-end planning to farm transitions and succession planning. While tax season is certainly a busy time, his work extends far beyond April deadlines. 

November 3, 2026

Photo of Phil Murphy, Fam Credit East Tax Specialist

Latest Tax Talk

Close-up of a fuel pump showing diesel and gasoline grade buttons, with the Tax Talks logo.
Tax Talks
Update: Diesel Fuel Tax Provisions

Earlier this month, Executive Order, Emergency Tax Relief on Diesel Fuel, was signed by the President with the purpose of deferring certain diesel fuel tax payment obligations and to provide penalty relief. As a result, the IRS acted and indicated it will not impose a penalty when dyed diesel fuel is sold for use or used on highways nationwide. 


October 22, 2026

Today's Harvest Blog

A person stands in the middle of a lush green cornfield with arms crossed, wearing a plaid shirt over a white top. Tall corn plants stretch into the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
Business Tips and Tools
The Next Generation of Farm Leadership Starts Here

Leadership. It’s a subject countless books, articles, podcasts and TikToks address every day. We seem to spend a lot of time talking about leadership, which might just mean that it is important. The importance of having strong and effective leadership skills in an agricultural business is why we start with the subject in the GenerationNext Seminar Series. 

September 02, 2026

Woman in front of tractor in agriculture field holding and looking at a laptop computer, with tax talk logo in corner
Tax Talks
Connecticut Farmers: Put the New 20% Investment Tax Credit to Work

Back in July 2025, we provided some insights into the new 20% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) that Connecticut Farmers can take advantage of starting in 2026. Recently, the state put out some additional guidance on the credit. Today’s blog will review the overall credit and the additional guidance so that farmers can plan for the new changes.

August 31, 2026

Farms walking in a harvested field at dusk
Business Tips and Tools
Securing Your Legacy: Planning for the People, the Business and the Future

A successful farm transition is about more than transferring land, equipment or ownership interests. It is about preparing people to work together, aligning the team around a shared vision and using thoughtful financial strategies to protect the wealth built through generations of hard work. When coordinated, they can provide a clearer path for the current generation, the next generation and the farm itself.

August 28, 2026

Farm workers harvesting vegetables in a field near a red tractor with a wagon
Public Policy
House Ag Committee Chair Introduces Labor Legislation

Finding and retaining workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today. The H-2A program was created to provide a legal guestworker program to help agricultural employers address labor shortages. While participation has increased in recent decades, the program has struggled to keep pace with the needs of today’s operations. New federal legislation aims to modernize the H-2A program to better meet employers’ needs. 

 

August 25, 2026

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