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Stephanie Mercier

Stephanie Mercier is the Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser for the Farm Journal Foundation. From 1997-2011, she served as the Chief Economist for the Democratic staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Latest Stories
Opinion
European Farmers Protest Against Policy Changes
Changes to farming regulations as well as increased agricultural imports have spurred farmer protests across the European Union over the last year or so. Their efforts may affect the EU Parliamentary elections in June.
May 02, 2024 08:04 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
China Moves from a ‘Cultural Revolution’ to an Agricultural Revolution
The government of China has come a long way in developing its agricultural sector over a relatively short period. Since 2000, the real value of China’s agricultural production has increased more than 530 percent.
April 09, 2024 10:50 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Concerns Grow Over Concentration in U.S. and Global Fertilizer Markets
For the first time in memory, market power by the owners of U.S. and global fertilizer production is drawing policymaker scrutiny. U.S. four-firm concentration ratios exceed 60 percent in all three markets (N,P, and K).
March 15, 2024 02:25 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
What’s New In U.S. Agriculture--Tales from the 2022 Census of Agriculture
The 2022 Census of Agriculture continues the trend of declining number of farms and increasing average age of farmers. I also shows mixed results in terms of farmers adopting conserving agricultural practices.
February 28, 2024 02:58 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Coastal Disruptions from Climate Change Threaten Agriculture
Sea level rise from climate change could turn up to 65 million people living on islands into refugees over the coming decades, adding to an already enormous refugee crisis. Farmers on coastal lands may also be affected.
February 12, 2024 08:52 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Disruptions to Normal Shipping Patterns are Causing Another Spike in Ocean Freight Rates
Major disruptions to shipping through the Panama and Suez canals, occurring for very different reasons, are contributing to the recent spike in ocean freight rates.
January 19, 2024 12:49 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Climate Change and Drought--How Can Farmers Adapt?
Evidence indicates that droughts have occurred more frequently and or lasted longer around the world due to climate change. Farmers have some options from existing technology to adapt, but more research is needed.
December 07, 2023 12:30 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Agrivoltaics for the Future
Agrivoltaics combines installation of solar panels in rural areas on elevated structures so as to permit co-location of agricultural activity, such as grazing animals or production of horticultural crops underneath.
November 22, 2023 11:30 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Managing Groundwater in the United States--A Policy Perspective
This blog describes some steps taken in local and state jurisdictions to restrain the rate of groundwater withdrawal, but most parts of the country have taken no action in this area. A more holistic approach is needed.
October 12, 2023 01:29 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Emerging Groundwater Issues Likely to Affect U.S. Agriculture
The rate of groundwater withdrawal from aquifers is increasing in many parts of the country, and agricultural use in irrigation is accounting for much of that change. Climate change may be accelerating this trend.
October 04, 2023 07:43 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
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