Cassandra Stephenson, Tennessee Lookout

Novice farmers face big challenges making it in today’s ag sector

Consolidation in ag, higher input prices, land access issues and other obstacles are making it hard for young farmers to gain a foothold in U.S. agriculture.

By Olivia Cohen, The Cedar Rapids Gazette and Cassandra Stephenson, Tennessee Lookout

/ 10 Feb 2026

Novice farmers face big challenges making it in today’s ag sector

Soybeans have been a top US ag export for decades. What happens when the top buyer stops buying?

The Trump administration has announced $12 billion in relief for farmers but that won’t cover all their losses.

By Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest, Cassandra Stephenson, Tennessee Lookout and Gabby Nelson, Buffalo’s Fire

/ 15 Dec 2025

Soybeans have been a top US ag export for decades. What happens when the top buyer stops buying?

As climate threats to agriculture mount, could the Mississippi River delta be the next California?

Some believe the mid-Mississippi delta could become a new mecca for commercial-scale American produce.

By Cassandra Stephenson, Tennessee Lookout, Illan Ireland, Mississippi Free Press and Phillip Powell, Arkansas Times

/ 21 Aug 2024

Cassandra Stephenson, Tennessee Lookout

Novice farmers face big challenges making it in today’s ag sector

Soybeans have been a top US ag export for decades. What happens when the top buyer stops buying?

As climate threats to agriculture mount, could the Mississippi River delta be the next California?

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