How Louisiana Has Sweetened America for Two Centuries
Louisiana farmers are growing sugarcane on some of the same soil their ancestors did more than two centuries ago. The key to the resilience and success of Louisiana’s 450 cane farming families and 11 raw sugar mills is simple: “We take care of what Mother Nature has provided,” said Jim Simon, General Manager for the […]
What a Treat! America’s Sugar Farmers Keep Halloween Sweet
This Halloween, Americans are estimated to spend a record $3 billion on Halloween candy for a second year in a row. Despite the inflationary rise of candy prices, the sugar in it still only accounts for a couple cents per treat. In fact, a recent study by the University of Tennessee confirmed that sugar prices are not […]
Celebrate Something Sweet!
Mark your calendars and get ready for a treat, because this week is one to celebrate all things sweet – and the people who make these special days possible! ✓ Today, October 12 is National Farmer’s Day. ✓ Friday, October 14 is National Real Sugar Day. ✓ Saturday, October 15 is National Sweetest Day. America’s […]
Senate Communicator Joins American Sugar Alliance as Director of Communications
Today, the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) announced Lillie Zeng as its new Director of Communications. Ms. Zeng was most recently Press Secretary for Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Prior to her time on the Hill, Ms. Zeng spent a decade at the Department of Agriculture where […]
New Study Finds Big Candy Posting Big Profits
Life is sweet and profits are up for American confectioners, in part due to the reliability of America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane growers and the stability provided by U.S. sugar policy. A new study by the University of Tennessee did the math on candy profits: Over the past 10 years, candy corporations posted high profits […]
Sugarbeet Scientist Testifies on Sustainability Advances in Conventional Agriculture
Conventional agriculture has paved the way for farmers to make rapid advancements in protecting and promoting soil health, Dr. Rebecca Larson, Chief Scientist for the Western Sugar Cooperative, testified before the House Agriculture Committee, today. “The evolution of conventional ag practices has reduced soil erosion by 35% across the U.S.,” Dr. Larson told Congress. “Soil […]
Key Senators Urge USDA to Support Sugar Policy, U.S. Sugar Producers Praise Bipartisan Letter
Key U.S. senators urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to “reject proposals that would weaken U.S. sugar policy and jeopardize our nation’s food security,” in a letter sent Friday. The bipartisan letter was led by Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and signed by a total of 12 senators, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), […]
Sugar Farmers: Stakes Have Never Been Higher
“If we value a strong food supply, we need America and Congress to continue supporting our farmers, now and in the future.” The Hill recently published an op-ed from North Dakota sugarbeet farmer Jason Schatzke and Texas sugarcane farmer Lance Neuhaus, detailing how increasing costs threaten their farms and our nation’s food security. The challenges faced by […]
USDA Under Secretary: Opportunity for U.S. Agriculture to be Hero on Climate Change
America’s farmers have an opportunity to be “a real hero in our ability to address climate change” through improvements in productivity and climate-smart practices, but a successful climate program “has to work for agriculture.” That was the message shared by Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) for the U.S. Department of […]
Investing in Sugar’s Future
America’s sugar farming families and workers are building a brighter future through investments both in sugar crops and the talent needed to produce this essential ingredient. The grower-owned Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative in Wahpeton, North Dakota, is committed to producing sugar sustainably. Mike Metzger, Vice President of Agriculture and Research, works alongside his team to give […]
America’s Sweetest Industry Supports 151,000 Jobs, $23 Billion Economic Impact
America’s sugar farming families and workers support more than 151,000 jobs across more than two dozen states and contribute more than $23 billion to the economy each year, according to a new study from the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University. This study highlights America’s sweetest industry, underscoring the critical importance of maintaining domestic […]
Letter on Alexis Taylor’s Nomination to Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
The American Sugar Alliance (ASA) sent a letter to U.S. Senate leadership expressing deep support for the nomination of Alexis Taylor to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. ASA urges the U.S. Senate to swiftly consider and confirm Director Taylor. In our current uncertain global […]
Preparing the Next Generation of Sugar Growers
Sugar farmers grow far more than beets and cane. They are also growing the minds of tomorrow’s sugar producers through programs like the Amalgamated Sugar’s Youth Sugarbeet Grower Program. Amalgamated Sugar Company, a grower-owned beet sugar cooperative headquartered in Idaho, began its Youth Sugarbeet Grower Program to invest in young farmers and ensure the industry […]
Producing Sugar Sustainably on Earth Day, and Every Day
Earth Day is a day to celebrate our planet and bring awareness to the part that we all play in making the world a more sustainable place. As stewards of the land, sugar farmers have been investing in a healthier planet for generations. They’re protecting the land that helps feed us and working to pass […]
Dr. Johansson: Sugar Forecasts and the Farm Safety Net
Column authored by Dr. Robert Johansson, Associate Director of Economics and Policy Analysis at the American Sugar Alliance. The vernal equinox, aka spring equinox, came and went Sunday, March 20, marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. As all good aggies know, that means the economists at the Food and Agricultural Policy […]
Farmers Stand on the Front Lines of Food Security
National Agriculture Day is an annual day to celebrate the American farmer. In America, we spend a smaller proportion of our household income on food than any other developed country. A safe, affordable food supply with amazing variety and unequaled distribution is something to celebrate. However, as farmers prepare for spring planting this year, the […]
Sugar: A Strong Supply Chain
In early 2020, America faced the beginning of a global pandemic. Historically robust supply chains were tested, forcing ships to wait in line at port and leaving grocery store shelves sparsely stocked. However, our industry kept America reliably supplied with sugar, an essential food ingredient. This was largely due to the strong farm and trade […]
National Farmers Union Supports No-Cost Sugar Policy
One of the nation’s leading advocates for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities renewed its support for a no-cost U.S. sugar policy that creates a level playing field for sugar producers while ensuring a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of sugar for consumers. National Farmers Union (NFU), which works on behalf of nearly 200,000 American […]
American Sugar Alliance Testifies on Importance of Farmers, Farm Bill
Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis at the American Sugar Alliance (ASA), testified before the House Committee on Agriculture today on the importance of supporting America’s sugar farmers, producers, and sugar supply chain by maintaining a strong U.S. sugar policy in the 2023 Farm Bill. In his written testimony, Johansson outlined the […]
Sugar: America’s Sweetest Industry
America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane growers are gearing up for virtual meetings to share with congressional offices the importance of the no-cost sugar policy that keeps households and food manufacturers supplied with an essential food ingredient – made right here in America. While these sugar growers will be sharing their perspective from the farm, the sugar […]