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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
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
Opinion
Agricultural Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act
This post summarizes the agricultural provisions of the Inflation Reduction Plan, aimed at encouraging greater participation in climate change mitigation efforts by farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses and residents.
August 24, 2022 04:33 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
How Higher Transport Costs Impact U.S. Agriculture
The higher cost of shipping U.S. agricultural inputs and products both internationally and domestically has increased costs of production for U.S. farmers, contributing to a projected decline in net farm income for 2022.
July 01, 2022 10:52 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The Impact of Climate Change on Pollinators
Research suggests that climate change is already having an impact on the availability of pollination from both commercial beehives and wild pollinator species such as butterflies and non-honeybee bee species.
June 02, 2022 10:18 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
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