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.
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.
Knowledge Exchange Partner
Latest From Today's Harvest Blog
Public Policy
2026 Farm Bill: Time to Act
Congress has not passed a traditional five-year farm bill since 2018. America’s farmers, fishers and foresters have continued to be helped by short-term extensions and other ad-hoc support. While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) updated and authorized certain components of the farm bill, there are still significant programs that require action.
October 28, 2026
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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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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
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
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
Crop Insurance
The Return of Prevented Planting Plus 5%: What Producers Need to Know
The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) has reinstated the Prevented Planting Plus 5% option for the 2027 crop year. Producers will once again have the opportunity to purchase an additional 5% of prevented planting coverage, providing greater protection when adverse weather prevents intended acres from being planted.
August 17, 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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