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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
Precision Ag Practices Can Buttress Conservation Efforts
First envisioned in the 1990’s after the US government relaxed restrictions on GPS signals, precision ag technology can help farmers reduce inputs such as fuel and fertilizer, saving money and helping the environment.
April 18, 2022 02:24 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The History of Nutrition Assistance Programs in the United States
Efforts to feed hungry people were pursued as part of FDR’s New Deal, with programs feeding people in schools and homes with surplus food. Full authority came later--School Lunch program in 1946, food stamps in 1964.
April 01, 2022 10:54 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The USDA Budget for Fiscal Year 2022
The President signed legislation on March 15 which provided funding for the federal government for fiscal year 2022. This includes the budget for USDA, which received a 4.4 percent increase year over year.
March 24, 2022 09:28 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The Impact of the Ukraine Invasion on Global Agriculture
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered price spikes and broad concerns in three important global markets that affect agriculture--oil and gas, fertilizer, and grains.
March 08, 2022 02:57 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Climate Change is Driving an Increase in Natural Disasters
By any measure, natural disasters have increased in both frequency and severity around the world over the last several decades, in ways clearly linked to the advancing impacts of climate change.
February 03, 2022 09:33 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Federal Help to Improve Nitrogen Fertilizer Efficiency
For the upcoming crop year, corn farmers using split nitrogen application will have access to a crop insurance product (PACE) to ensure against loss if bad weather hampers their ability to apply the second tranche.
January 18, 2022 08:44 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The Impact of the Food Safety Modernization Act
More than 10 years after enactment, the Food Safety Modernization Act has radically changed the regulatory approach of the Food and Drug Administration, which oversees the safety of 75 percent of the U.S. food supply.
December 03, 2021 09:32 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Bolstering Animal Disease Surveillance Around the World
The emergence of COVID-19, a zoonotic disease, which has killed more than 5 million people globally, has triggered many policy responses. One area that needs increased attention is animal disease surveillance.
November 11, 2021 01:06 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Drivers of U.S. Per Capita Meat Consumption over the Last Century
Since 1909, U.S. meat consumption has increased by more than 100 pounds per person. This blog discusses some of the policy and technological developments which drove this increase.
September 15, 2021 12:24 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Encouraging Absentee Landlords to Allow Their Tenants to Adopt Conservation Practices
At least 40 percent of U.S. farmland is rented from absentee landlords rather than owned by farmer operators, which has implications for their ability to adopt conservation practices on that land.
September 03, 2021 06:50 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
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