Coalition Members, April always feels like a turning point. The days are longer, the soil is waking up, and across the country farmers are preparing for a new
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.
The USDA held its 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum on February 19-20 at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott. Farmer Veteran Coalition CEO, Jeanette Lombardo, had the opportunity to attend this year. This annual event has been about bringing together farmers, researchers, policymakers, and agricultural leaders for more than 100 years to talk about the state of American agriculture and what the future may hold.
Last month, the Farmer Veteran Coalition hosted its 11th annual Farmer Veteran Coalition Stakeholders Conference in Waco, TX. The theme for this year was “Emerging Trends in Food, Agriculture, and Health.”
The event, themed “Elevating Our Voice,” invited attendees to reflect on how agriculture can more effectively communicate its value and respond to the challenges of modern food systems, regulation, and public perception.
This past month, I had the privilege of joining veterans, farmers, and community leaders at The Scale House Market located next to the Spokane Conservation District office to celebrate something extraordinary, the 10-year anniversary of Vets on the Farm.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) hosted its annual Summer Meeting the middle of last month, bringing together cattle producers, landowners, and industry partners from across Texas and the Southwest. Held in historic San Antonio, the meeting provided a vital forum to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities shaping the cattle industry today.
From June 8–10, 2025, more than one hundred leaders from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the American Agri-Women (AAW) Annual Legislative Fly-In – an event that continues to be one of the most powerful forums for women in agriculture to engage directly with federal policymakers.
The California Organic Center Field Day at the Rodale Institute California Organic Center in Camarillo, California, recently brought together farmers, researchers, and advocates for organic agriculture for an inspiring day of learning and collaboration. It was my pleasure as FVC CEO to meet a group of California FVC Chapter members and learn about their individual farms.
Texas is home to a vibrant and diverse agricultural community that faces unique conservation challenges and opportunities. On May 22, 2025, the Texas State Technical Committee (STC) met in Temple, Texas, to discuss critical updates and provide recommendations that help guide conservation work across the state.
