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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
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
Opinion
HBCU’s and Agriculture: History and Recent Developments
HBCU’s have been around since the 1830’s, and many such institutions have played an important role in fostering agriculture within the African-American community since the 1880’s.
August 18, 2021 08:49 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
How GMO’s Can Help Farmers Tackle Climate Change
Since first introduced in the mid -1990’s, the availability of GMO crops have made it easier for farmers to adopt new practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or keep their crops productive despite climate change.
August 04, 2021 10:50 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
A Glimpse into the Future of Agriculture in the U.S. Southwest
We look at the implications of the current drought and water shortage on agriculture in three states in the U.S. Southwest, for now and in the future.
July 13, 2021 03:36 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
A Salute to Two Conservation Professionals
This blog salutes the accomplishment of two USDA conservation professionals, Alex Barbarika and Mike Linsenbigler, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year.
May 17, 2021 09:43 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Agriculture during Wartime: The Ingenuity of American Farmers During World War II
Despite facing rationed access to inputs such as gasoline, tires, and tractors, and loss of farmworkers to the war effort, American farmers were able to increase their output sharply during the course of World War II.
April 07, 2021 09:20 AM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
The Importance of Seed Banks for Our Future
This piece provides historical background for the importance of seed banks, which help provide crop scientists with access to diverse germplasms to adapt crops to changing conditions.
February 16, 2021 12:09 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
Opinion
Indian Farmers Protest New Agricultural Policies
Smallholder Indian farmers are protesting new laws deregulating agricultural markets in their country, fearing they will lose the price supports they are accustomed to.
February 09, 2021 12:19 PM
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Stephanie Mercier
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