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N.Y. leads donations as FFA raises $1.4M on Give FFA Day

The National FFA Organization has raised over $1.4 million during the 2025 Give FFA Day campaign, surpassing 2,200 total donations. The funds will support agricultural education and leadership development for more than 1 million FFA members across the country.

This year’s campaign aimed to raise $1.5 million to provide opportunities for young agriculturists to grow in leadership, personal development, and career success. Donations will be used to address the organization’s greatest needs, ensuring the expansion of programs that equip students to sustain the global food, fuel, and fiber industries. Contributions will also help provide FFA jackets to members in need, support travel assistance for conferences, and fund programs dedicated to empowering female members and assisting agricultural educators.

The Give the Gift of Blue program has raised nearly $11,500 to help provide iconic FFA jackets to students who otherwise could not afford them. A donation of $85 supplies a personalized jacket and tie or scarf, fostering a sense of belonging and pride among members.

Other key fundraising initiatives include the Member Travel Assistance program, which has reached nearly 60% of its $5,000 goal to help cover travel and registration costs for major FFA events. The Women’s Impact Fund has raised almost $7,900 to support female leadership in agriculture, while the Teacher Support initiative exceeded its $5,000 goal, securing over $8,000 to provide essential resources and professional development for agricultural educators.

State FFA chapters played a crucial role in fundraising, with New York leading the leaderboard with $137,655 from 387 donors, followed by Oregon, Kansas, and Kentucky.

Through Give FFA Day, supporters are investing in the future of agriculture by empowering the next generation of leaders. Donations continue to ensure that FFA members have access to the tools, experiences, and education necessary for success in the industry.

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Canada stocks avian flu vaccine as H5N1 found in U.S. rats

For the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian influenza in rats, raising fresh concerns about the virus’s ability to spread among mammals.

The infected black rats were found in Riverside County, California, near recent poultry outbreaks. This discovery comes amid broader concerns about avian flu transmission, with additional detections in a harbor seal, a fox, a bobcat, and a domestic cat.

In response to the ongoing threat, the Public Health Agency of Canada has secured 500,000 doses of GSK’s human vaccine against avian influenza to protect those at the highest risk of exposure. The Arepanrix H5N1 vaccine, recently authorized by Health Canada, will be distributed based on risk assessments, with 60 percent allocated to provinces and 40 percent kept in a national stockpile.

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended targeted use for individuals with potential exposure, such as lab workers and those handling infected animals. Other countries, including the U.S., the EU, and the UK, have also stockpiled avian flu vaccines, with Finland already administering doses to high-risk workers.

Meanwhile, the USDA has reversed recent layoffs of employees working on the avian flu response, acknowledging the critical need for frontline staff to protect the nation’s food supply.

As avian flu continues to spread among wildlife and livestock, the latest developments underscore the importance of vigilance and preparedness in preventing further transmission.

Diversity in Agriculture
Read farm bankruptcies

Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies surge amid economic strain

Chapter 12 bankruptcy, a critical financial safety net for farmers and ranchers, saw a significant rise in filings in 2024. As reported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, 216 farm bankruptcies were filed last year, marking a 55 percent increase from 2023. While this remains significantly lower than the 2019 peak of 599 filings, it ends a four-year downward trend, raising concerns about the long-term financial health of the agricultural sector.

The increase in Chapter 12 bankruptcies was widespread across the country. The Midwest experienced the highest number of filings, with a 69 percent increase totaling 71 cases. The Southeast followed closely with 62 filings, a 55 percent jump from the previous year. The only region to see a decrease was the Southwest, where bankruptcies fell by 14 percent after being the only region to see an increase in 2023.

On a state level, California led the nation with 17 filings. Michigan saw the largest increase, jumping from zero cases in 2023 to 12 in 2024. In contrast, Pennsylvania and North Carolina saw the largest decreases, each with three fewer filings than the previous year. Notably, Washington, D.C., recorded its first-ever Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy.

farmer relief fund
Image by Phovoir, Shutterstock

Economics behind the increase

Farm bankruptcies often lag behind declines in farm income, as farmers exhaust all other options before seeking legal protection. Row crop markets have faced substantial cash receipt declines over the past three years. Corn and soybean receipts are expected to drop by over 4 percent and 6 percent, respectively, in 2025. Cotton, which saw a 24 percent decrease in 2024, is the only major crop projected to see an increase this year. Additionally, long-term declines in government support due to an outdated farm bill have further strained farm finances.

Net farm income reached a four-year low in 2024, dropping nearly 24 percent over two years. Rising production costs continue to squeeze profit margins. Non-real estate farm loans surged by 25 percent from 2023 to 2024, while interest rates on agricultural loans remained at decade-high levels. The total farm debt is projected to reach $562 billion in 2025, intensifying financial strain on farmers already struggling with lower revenue.

While Chapter 12 bankruptcy provides a path for financial restructuring, it is often a last resort. The rising number of filings signals deep-rooted financial struggles in the sector. Despite farmland values historically supporting credit access, those values declined in 2024, further limiting borrowing options for struggling operations.

Looking ahead, farmers are facing difficult decisions about financing their operations. Many are still waiting on economic relief from the American Relief Act of 2025 to sustain their businesses. Meanwhile, ongoing farm bill negotiations highlight the need for updated financial support to help farmers navigate these challenging conditions.

As farm bankruptcies continue to climb, the long-term financial outlook for agriculture remains uncertain. The trends observed in 2024 serve as a reminder of the pressures facing farm country and the need for policy solutions to support the industry’s stability.

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