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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
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
Opinion
Many Farmers Support “Right to Repair” Laws
While many farmers buy new farm equipment to provide more efficient operations and higher yields, they face problems if their equipment breaks down, particularly due to company-imposed restrictions on repairs.
September 21, 2022 11:19 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Bio-Based Product Preference Programs--History and Future Prospects
USDA operates a federal biobased product preference program, called USDA BioPreferred, first authorized in the 2002 farm bill. As of 2016, the biobased product industry is estimated to have created 4.65 million jobs.
September 21, 2022 09:56 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The Colorado River System is At Risk From Climate Change
The robust agricultural sector in the Western U.S. is at risk due to low water flows in the Colorado River system, which has fallen due to extended droughts resulting from climate change.
September 15, 2022 12:14 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Recent Developments in Wheat Breeding
Wheat producers rely primarily on public sector research for crop breeding improvements. A new GMO wheat incorporating drought tolerance has been approved for planting in Argentina, but not yet produced for market.
September 06, 2022 09:34 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
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