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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
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
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
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