Commentary

Above: Note from a Farm and Dairy reader North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler was eating lunch with some staff members at a local restaurant...

Shaena Mallett, director, said they wanted to strike a balance. “… That’s something I wanted to be honest about with Farmsteaders — farming is beautiful and hard,” she said. “I wanted to share the perspective that hard isn’t bad, and in fact some of the most worthwhile endeavors we could possibly take on may also be the most difficult.” Agriculture seems to be the topic du jour these days — for politicians, entertainers and, well, everyone. That’s why Mallett’s storytelling struck me. It’s poignant without being pretentious.

Long before there was David Letterman, the University of Tennessee's ag college came up with its own Top 10 list that's worth reviewing.

It's been a rough decade for the journalism industry. Agriculture, too. Don't let the "sad farmer" stories distract you. Just like in journalism, farming has people who make it work.

Selling Ohio's prison farms could generate a lot of money for other rehabilitation, but is that the best path?

Editor Susan Crowell wants you to go to the movies. (Actually, she wants you to take a carload to the movies.) What's playing? 'Farmland.'

Farm and Dairy Editor Susan Crowell is retiring this summer, and you all can help us cast the widest net to find her successor.

Editor Susan Crowell encourages farmers not to ignore trends in her commentary this week. "Agriculture is an industry that is ripe for massive change and disruption," says futurist Jim Carroll.

While we’re protecting and caring for livestock every day, Editor Susan Crowell reminds us there’s a huge faction out there who says you are evil and should be stopped.

Seventy years ago, Alberta, Canada, successfully declared war on rats. It's a source of provincial pride and international curiosity.