The Gardner Agriculture Policy Program is funded by the Leonard and Lila Gardner/Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies endowment. This generous gift is dedicated to the memory of Len Gardner, a leading voice on agricultural policy for decades. The program will coordinate and prioritize analytical and outreach efforts for farm, conservation and international trade policies, elevating the University of Illinois’ voice in the national debate.
The cover crop project seeks to provide farmers with a practical web-based decision support tool designed to help manage cover crops in their fields. The project makes use of existing research to demonstrate the potential for cover crops, as well as providing useful information for decision making and management of this practice. It will also seek to apply future research on cover crops as results are incorporated into updates and new iterations of the tool. This remains a work in progress with a goal towards adapting with the science.
Latest in Gardner Policy Series
The New Base Acre Provisions in the 2025 Farm Bill
This article continues the discussion begun in the July 1, 2025 farmdoc daily of the new base acre provision in the 2025 Farm Bill. The provision is systematically laid out. The 30 million acre cap on new base acres will likely be exceeded, necessitating pro-rating of new base acres. States in the Plains and Midwest are likely to add the largest number of new base acres. States with few base acres are likely to have the highest percent increase.
Reconciliation Bill Proposals to Add Base Acres
The Reconciliation Bills moving through Congress include proposals that would increase the number of base acres eligible for farm program payments. For farms that planted acreage to eligible crops from…
Dramatic Difference in Expected Yields between Corn, Soybeans, and Cotton for Area-Based Insurance Products
Both the House and Senate Reconciliation Bills include provisions to encourage the purchase of the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO). Since 2015 when SCO was first offered, actual county-level yields of corn and soybeans in the Midwest have been above expected yields in most years, implying a continuation of historical increases in yield and lower expectations for indemnities. On the other hand, actual county-level yields have been below expected yields for the majority of years for cotton.
The House Reconciliation Bill Proposal for SCO: Income Support for High-Risk Farmland
The House Reconciliation Bill includes provisions to modify the Supplemental Coverage Option, a crop insurance product providing county coverage above Revenue Protection and other farm-level products. This article examines what the payments would have been from 2015 to 2023 under the proposed structure and finds that the proposed SCO product would have limited benefits to corn and soybean production in many Midwest states. More benefits, however, would have flowed to riskier production regions.
Trade Conflicts and Long-Term Consequences: Are Soybeans Doomed to Repeat History?
Trade disputes can be short-term disruptions, but history also suggests that even short-term disruptions can have lasting impacts—elevating new competitors and shifting the balance of global agricultural trade. The U.S.–China…
Brazil and China’s Strong Ag Relationship: Opportunity or Overdependence?
Over the past two decades, China has become Brazil’s largest agricultural trading partner. With the latest tariff escalations, Brazil is expected to strengthen its trade ties with China. This deepening relationship raises questions about long-term risks for Brazil having relied heavily on Chinese trade, particularly considering forecasts for slower Chinese economic growth in the coming years. This article examines the role of Chinese demand in driving the expansion of Brazil’s ag sector.
Valentine’s Day and the Gains from Agricultural Trade: Cut Flowers in the US
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and floral bouquets are everywhere. However, cut flowers, a symbol of love and romance, are tied up in the ongoing tension in the United States over…
Nonemployer Businesses and the Geography of Self-Employment
Nonemployer businesses serve as an important source of income for many individuals across the country and are essential components of vibrant local entrepreneurial ecosystems. In urban areas, a wide range of market opportunities allows individuals to pursue these businesses as either a primary occupation or a supplemental income stream. In rural regions, nonemployer activity is especially prominent in areas with large retiree populations and natural amenities.
Mastering the Early Years: Lessons on the Cover Crop Learning Curve, Part 3
Stepping back from specific tactics or methods, the big picture serves up reminders about the complexities, risks, and challenges involved with implementing cover crops. Flexibility is critical because no single piece of advice will be the right one for all of the scenarios Mother Nature can bring to a season. Adapting to the weather conditions of the growing season is key to a successful harvest in any agricultural system, and cover cropping systems are no different.
State Initiatives to Support Grocery Stores and Address Food Insecurity
Many factors contribute to rural health disparities, but food insecurity exacerbates all these rural health challenges. To address the challenges and impacts on residents with inadequate food access, several states have developed grocery store support programs targeting both urban and rural “food deserts.” This article examines state approaches for supporting smaller, locally owned, and independent grocery stores, particularly in more rural communities.