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

Public Policy

House Ag Committee Chair Introduces Labor Legislation

Danielle Cummins

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

Farm workers harvesting vegetables in a field near a red tractor with a wagon

Latest Tax Talk

Family, farm and cattle with a girl and father walking on a field or grass meadow in the agricultural industry. Tax Talk logo on picture.
Tax Talks
Trump Accounts: A New Savings Option for Children

Trump Accounts officially kicked off July 4, 2026, offering a new way to save for a child’s future. A Trump Account is a traditional IRA with specific rules that enable families to start saving and investing for a child early with greater flexibility than a standard retirement account. Any child under age 18 with a Social Security number is eligible for a Trump Account. 

July 28, 2026

Today's Harvest Blog

Ripe juicy red apples in a container. Production facilities of large warehouse - grading, packing and storage of crops.
Ag Economy
How Tariffs Will Impact Apple Trade in 2025

Farm Credit East recently hosted a webinar with US Apple’s Chris Gerlach, providing an overview of the apple industry, specifically covering what’s ahead for apple trade. Following are the key takeaways from this webinar. 

April 22, 2025

Rural home set back in agriculture pasture during sunset
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

Timber being harvested and loaded onto a truck
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

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