As we move deeper into this growing season, it’s clear that many of you are facing more than the usual challenges that come with farming and ranching. Rising input costs, unpredictable weather, shifting markets – and now global instability – are all hitting at once. These aren’t distant issues. They’re showing up in real time on your farms, shaping the decisions you have to make every day.
For those working the land, this isn’t theoretical. It’s higher fuel bills, uncertainty around fertilizer, and tough choices about how to stay productive while keeping your operation financially sound. It’s important to acknowledge how heavy that can feel. At the same time, it’s just as important to understand what’s driving these challenges – and to recognize your ability to adapt and move forward.
What’s Driving These Pressures
Global events are playing a bigger role in agriculture than ever before. Tensions in places like the Middle East are affecting energy markets, and since agriculture depends so heavily on fuel, those changes quickly show up in your costs – from planting to harvest to getting products to market.
Fertilizer is also being impacted. It relies on energy to produce and stable supply chains to distribute. When those systems are disrupted, availability tightens and prices rise, forcing you to rethink application rates, crop plans, and acreage decisions.
On top of that, markets are more volatile. Prices may create opportunity, but they also bring risk. Add in supply chain disruptions and ongoing weather variability, and it’s clear: planning ahead now requires more flexibility than ever.
The bottom line is this, global events are no longer separate from what happens on your farm. They are directly shaping it.
The Strength of This Community
Even with all of this, there’s something important to keep in mind: this community is uniquely prepared for moments like this.
Farmer Veterans know how to operate under pressure. You’ve managed uncertainty before. You understand how to make decisions with limited information, adapt quickly, and stay focused when conditions are constantly changing.
Those skills matter right now.
There’s also a shared sense of purpose that runs deep in this community. Farming and ranching – like military service – are about something bigger than yourself. That mindset builds resilience and helps carry you through difficult seasons.
And just as important is the strength of this network. The Farmer Veteran Coalition is more than an organization – it’s a community built on shared experience and support. Learning from each other, sharing what works, and staying connected makes all of us stronger.
That’s why staying engaged at the chapter level matters. These connections aren’t just helpful, they’re essential.
Using the Resources Available to You
In times like this, having access to good information and practical tools can make all the difference.
There are resources out there to help you assess risk, plan financially, and make more informed decisions. USDA’s Risk Management Agency offers tools for evaluating risk. Land-grant universities provide budgeting and planning tools to help you run different scenarios. Market reports can help you track trends in fuel, fertilizer, and commodities.
Weather tools like the U.S. Drought Monitor and NOAA outlooks can help you stay ahead of changing conditions. And local extension offices remain one of the best sources of practical, region-specific advice.
But just as valuable is the knowledge within this community. The experience you share with one another often provides insights you won’t find anywhere else.
I also want to say this clearly: if you’re feeling financial pressure – whether it’s debt, cash flow challenges, or uncertainty about what comes next – please don’t wait to seek help. There are resources available, and reaching out early can make a real difference.
Asking for support isn’t a weakness. It’s a step toward protecting your operation and your future.
Expanding Support for You
We are continuing to strengthen the resources and support available to you.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be attending the Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) Conference, focused on improving tools and education for managing agricultural risk. I’ll also be at the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network (DBAN) Conference – an initiative designed to provide direct, one-on-one support to farmers facing financial challenges.
DBAN offers help with things like debt restructuring, working with lenders, and navigating USDA programs. This kind of support can be critical, especially during difficult times.
We’ll be bringing back new tools, partnerships, and resources from these efforts and making them available to you through the Farmer Veteran Coalition.
Moving Forward Together
There’s no question that this is a challenging moment. But it’s also a reminder of what matters most, staying disciplined in your decisions, leaning on strong networks, and holding onto a clear sense of purpose.
Agriculture has always required resilience – and this community understands that better than most.
We will continue to advocate for you, expand access to resources, and strengthen this network. But the true strength of this community comes from your experience, your commitment, and your willingness to support one another.
By staying connected, using the tools available, and continuing to share knowledge, you’re not just strengthening your own operation – you’re strengthening the entire community.
We’ll get through this together with clarity, resilience, and purpose.
Jeanette L. Lombardo
Expanded Tools, Resources, and Support Systems
In a period defined by volatility and rapid change, access to reliable, actionable information is essential. While no single tool can address every challenge facing today’s producers, a combination of trusted resources – spanning risk management, financial planning, market intelligence, weather forecasting, and peer support – can significantly strengthen decision-making capacity.
The following resources represent a cross-section of tools that members may find valuable as they evaluate options, manage risk, and plan for both the immediate season and the longer term.
Risk Management and Financial Planning
- USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA): Provides crop insurance tools, policy guidance, and decision support resources to help producers evaluate risk exposure and coverage options under changing market and environmental conditions.
- AgPlan (University of Minnesota): A free, comprehensive farm business planning tool that allows producers to develop, update, and stress-test business plans under different scenarios.
- FINBIN (Center for Farm Financial Management): Offers benchmarking data that allows producers to compare their financial performance against regional and national averages.
- Farm Credit System: Provides financing, risk management tools, and financial education tailored to agricultural producers.
Input Cost and Market Intelligence
- USDA Economic Research Service (ERS): Offers analysis on farm income, input costs, and broader economic trends affecting agriculture.
- USDA Weekly Energy and Diesel Price Reports: Tracks fuel price trends that directly impact operational costs.
- DTN Progressive Farmer: Provides real-time insights into fertilizer prices, fuel trends, and commodity markets.
- CME Group (Commodity Futures Markets): Allows producers to monitor future pricing for crops and livestock, supporting marketing and hedging decisions.
- Farm Futures: Delivers market analysis and forward-looking insights in accessible language.
Crop Planning and Production Tools
- Iowa State University Ag Decision Maker: Offers detailed crop budgets, cost calculators, and decision tools across a range of commodities.
- Purdue University Crop Cost & Return Guides: Provides updated cost estimates and profitability projections.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Region-specific production tools, enterprise budgets, and management resources.
- COMET-Farm (USDA/NRCS): Helps producers evaluate conservation practices and input efficiency, including nutrient management.
Weather, Climate, and Environmental Intelligence
- U.S. Drought Monitor: Weekly updates on drought conditions across the United States.
- NOAA Climate Prediction Center: Seasonal outlooks for temperature and precipitation trends.
- USDA Climate Hubs: Region-specific guidance on adapting to climate variability and extreme weather.
- National Weather Service: Localized forecasts and alerts critical for operational planning.
Extension and Technical Assistance
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Extension Services: Connects producers to local extension offices providing hands-on, regionally relevant support.
- Find Your Local Extension Office: Direct access to county and state-level expertise.
Extension services remain one of the most underutilized yet impactful resources available, offering practical guidance grounded in local conditions.
Veteran-Specific Agricultural Resources
- Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC): Provides direct support programs, including the Fellowship Fund, as well as training, resources, and a national network of Farmer Veterans.
- USDA Veterans in Agriculture Programs: Central hub for federal programs supporting veteran farmers and ranchers.
- Armed to Farm (National Center for Appropriate Technology): Hands-on training program specifically designed for veterans entering or expanding in agriculture.
Mental Health and Farmer Well-Being
- Farmer Stress Assistance Network (FSAN): Provides regional support, stress management resources, and referrals.
- Farm Aid Hotline (1-800-FARM-AID): Offers financial, legal, and emotional support for farmers.
- Rural Resilience Training Programs: Often available through extension and nonprofit partners, focusing on stress management and decision-making under pressure.
Peer-to-Peer Networks and Community Engagement
While formal tools and data sources are essential, it is equally important to recognize that some of the most valuable insights come from within the community itself.
- FVC Chapter Network: Engage with your local state chapter for peer learning, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.
- Producer-Led Groups and Cooperatives: Local and regional networks often provide opportunities for shared purchasing, equipment access, and knowledge exchange.
- Online Producer Communities: Platforms, such as AgTalk, provide discussion forums where producers share real-time experiences and strategies.
Active participation in these networks not only strengthens individual operations but also contributes to the resilience of the broader community.
