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
The Use of “Biologicals” in Agriculture
‘Biological’ products contain beneficial, naturally occurring microorganisms or microbial derivatives as active ingredients, and are used by farmers to enhance the efficiency of other inputs such as fertilizer.
May 30, 2023 01:41 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The Evolution of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy
This blog summarizes the 60-plus year history of the European’s Common Agricultural Policy, from its launch as a system set up to protect producers in six European countries to today’s 27-member EU exporting behemoth.
May 03, 2023 09:11 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Adopting More Soil Conserving Practices Can Reduce Crop Insurance Costs
Two recent studies confirm the notion that greater use of conserving practices such as no-till and cover cropping can reduce the incidence of prevented planting under the federal crop insurance program.
May 03, 2023 09:11 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Latest IPCC report predicts dismal consequences for global agriculture due to climate change
Released in March, the sixth IPCC assessment report finds that the planet is likely to exceed the 1.5 degree C warming target established in the Paris Accord, which will put more stress on the global agricultural sector.
May 03, 2023 09:10 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
How Gene Editing Can Help Agriculture Adjust to Climate Change
This blog describes advances in agricultural biotechnology in recent decades, and how gene editing techniques can be used to help farmers adjust to climate change.
May 03, 2023 09:10 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The Global Grain Market--One Year After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Nearly one year after Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukraine’s agriculture is still in severe disarray. The trade flow disruptions contributed to forcing an additional 60 million people into acute food insecurity.
February 22, 2023 09:45 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
History of Studying and Preventing Animal Disease in the U.S.
The study of animal disease emerged as a systematic science in the 18th century, and USDA first engaged in such work in 1883. USDA’s new National Bio- and AgroDefense Facility is on the verge of opening in Kansas.
January 18, 2023 09:29 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Farmland
Opinion
A Snapshot of the U.S. Farmland Market
There’s been recent developments in the U.S. farmland market, including policymakers’ concerns about foreign ownership of such assets.
December 16, 2022 04:33 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The Need to Improve Energy Efficiency in Vertical Farming
Vertical farms have sprung up all around the developed world since the first one was opened in Singapore in 2012. However, most still struggle with high energy use, putting their further expansion in question.
November 17, 2022 11:02 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Of the estimated 511,000 acres licensed for hemp production in 2019, about 201,000 acres was reportedly planted with industrial hemp seed.
Opinion
Taking a Second Look at U.S. Hemp Production
U.S. farmer enthusiasm for growing industrial hemp has cooled since 2019, but new markets for hemp other than for processing into CBD oil may be emerging.
October 17, 2022 06:21 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
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