Members in the News: December 15, 2025

 Matthew Gammans, North Dakota State University

• “Soybean Prices Rally on China's Promise to Buy American Beans”
  By: Mankato Free Press – December 3, 2025
• “MN Farmers Cheer Soybean Price Rally. Will it Last?”
  By: MPRNews - December 2, 2025 or KLFDRadio

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Pedro Magaña Sáenz, University of Wisconsin - Madison

“Building Trust and Transparency Via Text Message: How Digital Receipts Change Smallholder Markets”

By: World Bank Blogs – December 8, 2025

“Digital receipts cost little to implement, leveraging basic SMS technology already in farmers’ pockets. By converting paper logs into real-time information, they reduce the space for opportunism in markets where monitoring and formal enforcement are weak. As rural connectivity expands across Sub-Saharan Africa, tools like SMS receipts can be scaled across value chains where lack of transparency still limits accountability and efficiency.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: World Bank Blogs

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Ricky Volpe, California Polytechnic State University

“Americans Feeling the Pinch of Rising Prices”

By: Yahoo! Finance YouTube – December 18, 2025 

(Continued...)
Read more on: Yahoo! Finance YouTube

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Amitrajeet Batabyal, Rochester Institute of Technology

“The Importance of Separating the Short and Long Run Effects of Trade”

By: Rochester Business Journal – December 11, 2025

“The research shows that U.S. local labor markets that were more exposed to Chinese imports suffered sharp short run increases in unemployment and reductions in labor force participation.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Rochester Business Journal

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David Ortega, Michigan State University

• “Michigan Farmers to Lose $167M in Exports This Year as Tariffs Raise Costs”
  By: MLLive – December 10, 2025
• “Oklahoma’s Ban on Chinese-Owned Farmland Made an Exception for Smithfield Foods”
  By: Investigate Midwest – December 8, 2025

 

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Antonina Broyaka, Kansas State University

“Why U.S. Farmers Should Still Care About Ukraine”

By: Farm Progress – December 4, 2025

“Despite being under siege since early 2022, Ukraine remains a significant exporter of several key commodities, including corn, wheat and sunflower oil… However, the war is still in place, and there is still a lot of uncertainty.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Farm Progress

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Marin Skidmore, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

“Farmer Networks Drive Strong Gains in Cover Crop Adoption”

By: Kansas Ag Connection – December 5, 2025  

“Farmers may have an interest in trying new practices, but there’s a steep learning curve and high costs involved. Programs like this, where farmer leaders adopt practices that can be seen and communicated throughout a region, can really inspire their neighbors to take action.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Kansas Ag Connection

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Cheryl DeVuyst, Oklahoma State University

“How the Beef Checkoff Drives Demand: Insights from Cheryl DeVuyst”

By: Oklahoma Farm Report – December 5, 2025

“Consistency, taste, and nutrition of U.S. beef keep global customers coming back. They want it no matter what price we have on it.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Oklahoma Farm Report

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Julian Alston, University of California, Davis

“Food Will Be More Affordable — if We Double Funds For Agriculture Research Now”

By: Nature.com – December 9, 2025

“Food prices are increasing almost everywhere. Disruptions and declines in food production owing to climate extremes are part of the reason. But our analysis of global spending on the innovations that underpin food production and the processes that get it to people’s tables shows major shifts in investment in agricultural science. These could help to explain why demand for food is getting out of balance with supply — and why things are likely to get worse.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Nature.com

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Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University

“The Next 18 Months Will Decide Who’s Still Milking in 2030 – Here’s Your Checklist”

By: The Bullvine – December 10, 2025

“This isn’t a temporary consumer preference—it’s a generational dietary shift. People born in the 1980s and 1990s drink significantly less milk than previous generations, and that pattern isn’t reversing.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: The Bullvine

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Jennifer Ifft, Kansas State University

“Analysis-US Farmers Say Trump’s $12 Billion aid Package Won’t Cover Losses”

By: Reuters – December 10, 2205

“The $12 billion in aid will "get spread out quite a bit. If you’re in a bad place financially, this is just a bridge."

(Continued...)
Read more on: Reuters

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Daniel Sumner, University of California, Davis

“Will California Farmers Get Their Fair Share of Federal Bailout Money?”

By: Fresno Bee – December 11, 2205

“The USDA did set aside $1 billion of the package that could go for specialty crops, such as wine grapes, that California farmers grow. This round it appears pretty clear that the funds will go mostly to the corn, soybean and wheat guys, the standard program crops.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Fresno Bee

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Andrew Muhammad, University of Tennessee

“Soybeans Have Been a Top U.S. Ag Export for Decades. What Happens When the Top Buyer Stops Buying?”

By: Tennessee Outlook – December 10, 2025

“We learned firsthand that being heavily reliant on China for export sales is only good when things are good…”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Tennessee Outlook or Successful Farming

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Hyungsun Yim, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

“How Extreme Weather Events Affect Agricultural Trade Between US States”

By: Phys.org – December 11, 2025

"With climate change, we're going to experience more intense and more frequent extreme weather events such as drought and flooding, which impact agricultural output. It's important to prepare for ways to mitigate climate shocks to food manufacturing.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Phys.org

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Joseph Balagtas, Purdue University

“Food insecurity rate jumps to 16% in November”

By: National Hog Farmer – December 11, 2025

“Food insecurity was already prevalent among many SNAP users: We estimate that 36% of SNAP households were food insecure in recent years and months. That figure rose to 46% in November, amid ongoing inflation and disruptions to SNAP caused by the federal government shutdown.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: National Hog Farmer

Call for Papers 2026 NAREA Workshop - Opportunities and Barriers for Rural Development in America’s New Energy Landscape

June 9 – 10, 2026
Molly Pitcher Inn
Red Bank, New Jersey

ABSTRACT Deadline: February 13, 2026
The rapid deployment of new energy infrastructure including biomass, solar, wind, and carbon capture technologies, as well as new demand sources like data centers is changing the landscape of America's rural communities. While these energy projects may be welcome due to the economic opportunities that they bring, many projects encounter opposition due to their (real or perceived) negative impacts. The goal of the 2026 NAREA Workshop is to gain a deeper understanding of how new energy development is impacting rural life in America, including impacts on economic development, employment opportunities, farm incomes, environmental amenities, and health outcomes.

The workshop will be held on June 9 - 10, 2026 at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank, NJ, following the NAREA conference. We invite submissions of papers on the following topics:
· Land Use and Environmental Impacts of Energy Deployment: physical and economic consequences of new energy infrastructure, including impacts on land use, land values, agricultural profitability, ecosystem services, and emissions.
· Community Acceptance and Distributional Issues: social and political dimensions of the energy transition. Topics may include local acceptance, challenges such as protests and legal disputes, and the broader distributional impacts of emerging policies.
· The Role of Incumbent Energy Sources: impacts of existing energy sources on host communities

The workshop will convene a diverse group of stakeholders and facilitate a multi-perspective discussion on the challenges and opportunities associated with new energy development in rural areas. The workshop will feature a panel discussion, two keynote addresses, and research paper presentations. There will be a final session aimed at identifying promising research directions and catalyzing new collaborations. Papers presented during the workshop will be invited to submit to a special issue of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Review (ARER).


Abstract Submission Guidelines
Authors wishing to have a paper considered for the workshop must submit an extended abstract by February 13, 2026. Abstracts must be submitted online through NAREA’s Annual Meeting Submission System, where authors will be prompted to provide:
1. Title of the paper;
2. Name, address, e-mail address, and phone number of paper presenter or primary contact;
3. Name and institutional affiliation of paper presenter and co-author(s);
4. 2-4 key words;
5. Extended abstract: 1000 to 1500 words (excluding references)

Abstracts that do not comply with these guidelines will not be reviewed. Electronic acknowledgements of submissions will be sent to all submitters. Abstracts will be reviewed by the NAREA Post-Conference Workshop Selected Papers Committee in terms of the significance to the field, strength of methodology/design, and clarity of writing. Authors will be notified of the status of their abstract by March 15, 2026, and authors must confirm their participation in the workshop by April 1, 2026.

Papers presented at the workshop will be considered for expedited review and publication in a special issue of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Review (ARER). Authors must submit their manuscript for consideration by September 1, 2026. There are no processing fees associated with publishing in ARER.

For More Information
Further information concerning workshop registration and the final program will be provided in the spring issue of the NAREA Newsletter and on the NAREA website. For more information, please contact the NAREA Workshop Organizing Committee:
· Christine L. Crago (ccrago@resecon.umass.edu), University of Massachusetts Amherst
· Gal Hochman (gh141@illinois.edu), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Call for Papers, Posters, and Organized Sessions - NAREA 2026 Annual Meeting

June 7 – 9, 2026
Molly Pitcher Inn
Red Bank, New Jersey

On behalf of NAREA, Chair and President-Elect Todd Schmit (Cornell University, tms1@cornell.edu) and Selected Papers Committee Chair Neha Khanna (Binghamton University, nkhanna@binghamton.edu) are inviting abstracts for selected papers, selected posters, and organized sessions for the 2026 NAREA meeting in Red Bank, New Jersey.

We welcome submissions in all areas of resource, environmental, and agricultural economics and encourage submissions from a diversity of scholars – faculty, post-docs, students, and other professionals. Come and be part of a great annual meeting and participate in shared learning, conversation, and networking in a professional and welcoming environment for all. NAREA – you belong here!

Where to Submit: Abstracts for the annual meeting should be submitted through NAREA’s Annual Meeting Submission System.

Submission Deadline: February 13, 2026

All submitters will receive an automated electronic acknowledgement. We expect to notify authors by March 15h, 2026. Following notification, presenters of selected papers and posters and organized session chairs must confirm their presentation to Selected Papers Committee Chair by April 1, 2026 to confirm their slot in the program. Finally, all presenters must be NAREA members and register for the meeting by May 1, 2026. You will have the opportunity to both register for the Annual Meeting and join (or renew) as a NAREA member at the same web location.

Selected Paper and Poster Abstract Submissions: Submissions should include:
1. The title of the paper or poster;
2. Names and institutional affiliations of the author and all co-authors;
3. Name and email address of the paper or poster presenter;
4. An abstract of no more than 500 words; and
5. 2 – 4 Key words
6. Consideration as (1) a paper only, (2) a poster only, or (3) either a paper or a poster.

Abstracts that do not comply with these guidelines will not be reviewed. The Selected Papers Committee will review abstracts in terms of significance to the field, strength of methodology/research design, clarity of writing, and fit within conference topics. Although there is no limit to the number of abstracts an author may submit, each submission must have a different presenter to avoid conflicts in presentation times.

Organized Session Submissions: Submissions should include:
1. The title for the session, along with the session chair and affiliation;
2. A list of all titles (3-5) that belong in the session, including names and affiliations of the author and co-authors, and who will be presenting;
3. A one to two paragraph description of the session that, if accepted, will appear in the conference program; and
4. A one to two paragraph description of the session’s papers and the topical relationship among them.

The Program Chair/President-Elect and the Selected Papers Chair will review the organized session proposal in terms of coherence with the proposed session title/topic, significance to the field, strength of methodologies/research designs, and clarity of writing. Organized session proposals will be accepted or rejected in whole. The 2026 annual meeting will feature an Organized Session of the CAM program with mentees presenting their 2nd year capstone projects.

About the Molly Pitcher Inn
This Red Bank, New Jersey waterfront hotel is on the banks of the Navesink River and has a marina. The hotel features an outdoor seasonal pool and rooms with free Wi-Fi. Molly Pitcher Inn rooms include a work desk and air conditioning. The rooms come with cable TV and a safe. The Molly Pitcher provides guests with a concierge service, which has information on area attractions and events. The Molly Pitcher Inn is within a 3 minute drive of Marine Park. The hotel is a one minute drive from Two River Theater, which features live entertainment. The hotel is approximately a 40 minute drive from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

For More Information
Further information concerning annual meeting registration and the final program will be provided in the spring issue of the NAREA Newsletter and on the NAREA website. For more information, please contact the Selected Papers Committee Chair:
· Neha Khanna, (nkhanna@binghamton.edu), Binghamton University

Members in the News: December 8, 2025

 

Richard Volpe, California Polytechnic State University

• "See How Much Your Groceries Cost Each Week"
  By: USA Today  – December 3, 2025
• "How The Idea Of Affordability Is Shaping Our Politics"
  By: NPR – December 4, 2025

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Soumya Balasubramanya, The World Bank

"South Asia’s Groundwater Management Must Put Farmers First"

By: Dialogue Earth – November 21, 2025

"South Asia accounts for 50% of the groundwater pumped for irrigation globally. The practice has been critical to ensuring food security in the region, enabling farmers – predominantly smallholders – to increase food production. And yet the scale of use has caused levels of groundwater to fall worryingly quickly.:

(Continued...)
Read more on: Dialogue Earth

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Madhu Khanna, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

“Technology Turns Farming Into a Career Young Workers Like"

By: The Washington Post  – November 25, 2025

(Continued...)
Read more on: The Washington Post

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Jada Thompson, University of Arkansas

• “Bird Flu Cases Are on the Rise Again, Including 2 Million Turkeys. Will That Affect Your Thanksgiving Dinner?”
  By: Union Bulletin – November 17, 2025
• “Turkeys See Price Increase, University of Arkansas Economist Says”
  By: Pine Bluff Commercial – November 19, 2025
• “Rise in Bird Flue Cases Could Affect Thanksgiving Dinner”
  By: Pressreader – November 23, 2025

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David Ortega, Michigan State University

• “Americans Could See a Big Sticker Shock For Thanksgiving Turkeys This Year”
  By: NPR – November 17, 2025
• “What is Happenings With Turkey Prices This Thanksgiving”
  By: PBS News – November 20, 2025
• “Is Trump Cutting Cost of Thanksgiving? It Depends Who You Ask”
  By: Bloomberg – November 21, 2025

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Zachariah Rutledge, Michigan State University 

“U.S. Farmers Warn of Labor Shortages as Immigration Actions Rise”

By: Fresh Plaza – November 18, 2025

“The supply of new farm workers is shrinking. Federal data shows that between 2020 and 2022, about 70 percent of farm workers were foreign-born, and more than 40 percent were not authorized to work. Growers have voiced concerns about immigration raids, including large-scale actions in Ventura County, and how enforcement may affect labor availability. The Trump administration has moved to change wage requirements in the H-2A visa program, which allows employers to bring in seasonal workers. Some growers are calling for broader reforms.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Fresh Plaza

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Amitrajeet Batabyal, Rochester Institute of Technology

“India’s Anaemia Crisis Demands Policy Convergence, Not Parallel Efforts”

By: Basis Pint Insight – November 25, 2025

“Childhood anemia still sits at the centre of India’s public health anxieties. It dulls cognitive development, drags down educational performance, and quietly chips away at productivity years before a child enters the workforce. Given the scale and persistence of the problem, the question confronting policymakers is not new but remains urgent: are we approaching anaemia with too narrow a lens?”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Basis Pint Insight

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Dawn Thilmany, Colorado State University

“The 2025 Holiday Season Through A Food Lens”

By: Forbes – November 23, 2025

“Thanksgiving kicks off a diverse season of holiday celebrations and traditions in the US, and with its focus on food-based gatherings of families and friends, catalyzes a dynamic food buying environment. Although many market analysts have predicted total holiday spending will be down this season, food spending may buck this trend as US households turn to experiences and gatherings as a key part of their celebration.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Forbes

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Andrew Muhammad, University of Tennessee

“As Mills Close, Timber Industry Pins Its Future on Innovation, Not Tariffs”

By: The Christian Science Monitor – November 12, 2025

“We are talking about the primary input in home construction, about products that are part of our everyday lives. But we also are talking about a natural resource that actually is vital in how we preserve biodiversity and fight climate change.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: The Christian Science Monitor

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Marin Skidmore, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

“Inside the Global Cheese Crisis No One Saw Coming”

By: Food & Wine – November 5, 2025

"Cows are mammals like us, and they experience heat stress just like we do. When cows are exposed to extreme heat, they can have a range of negative physical effects. There is an increased risk of infection, restlessness, and decreased appetite, which leads to a decline in milk yield. For dairy producers, the heat impact is a direct hit on their revenue.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Food & Wine

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Joseph Janzen, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

“Illinois Soybean Farmers Struggle With Unpredictable Trade War and Rising Costs”

By: Morning Sun – November 28, 2025

“So in 2021 and 2022, we saw massive run-ups in fertilizer prices and other agricultural inputs, and agricultural land prices have become quite expensive. Cash rental rates for farmers now are now a substantial share of the cost of production.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Morning Sun

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Jada Thompson, University of Arkansas
Hunter Biram, University of Arkansas
James Mitchell, Kansas State University

“Arkansas Farm Income Expected to Drop 8% Next Year”

By: Talk Business – December 1, 2025

“We have some moderate cases coming in this year which may indicate another hard HPAI year, but these are still early signs and we don’t know the full effects. Egg prices are following very consistent seasonal patterns, where winter affects egg production coupled with seasonal holiday demand. Layer HPAI on top of this and if case counts rise dramatically, we may see egg prices climb. If HPAI moderates, or has fewer cases, then we will not see the historic prices of last year.”

“There will likely be reductions in rice and cotton acreage, with acreage shifting more into corn and soybeans on more favorable margins. All crop margins are still negative for 2026, according to our crop enterprise budgets, but soybeans and corn appear to show the lowest likely loss.”

“Cash receipt estimates from eggs are lower in 2026 with declining egg prices, but that estimate should be interpreted with caution because there is still a lot of uncertainty from year to year on losses due to HPAI.”

(Continued...)
Read more on: Talk Business