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
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
Opinion
El Nino and Climate Change Make a Bad Pairing for Global Agriculture
The combination of a new El Nino episode and the ongoing effects of climate change have contributed to many severe weather events this year, with detrimental effects for global agriculture.
September 01, 2023 08:47 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Diversifying Cropping Systems--Benefits of Adding a Third Crop to Corn-Soybean Rotations
While most Midwest farmers utilize a corn-soybean crop rotation, it would help them from an agronomic and economic viewpoint to consider adding a small grain as a third crop in their rotations.
July 25, 2023 03:14 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Update on the Status of Women in the Global Agri-Food System
A new FAO report on the status of women in agri-food systems finds that women have made some progress in a few areas since 2011, but still lag behind men in key areas such as land ownership and agricultural productivity.
June 23, 2023 11:54 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
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