Farmers’ Share of Halloween Treats is So Small, It’s Frightful 😱
Trick-or-treat: it’s time to stock up on something sweet! Americans are forecast to spend $3.9 billion on candy this Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s up from $3.6 billion last year and $3.1 billion in 2023. There’s no doubt: Halloween is sweet. Yet, you might face a fright as you purchase candy for […]
Sugar 101: It’s Harvest Time!
Welcome to harvest season! Sugarbeets and sugarcane are harvested in different ways, but both become the real sugar on your table. It’s all thanks to the family farmers and workers whose work sustains rural communities and keeps America sweet. Here is a glimpse into how they do it. Sugarbeet Harvest By late August, the seeds […]
Michigan Farmer: Family Legacies, Food Security Depend on Congressional Support
Rita Herford, a fifth-generation farmer and sugarbeet grower in Michigan, recently addressed the growing challenges facing farmers in The Detroit News. “From soaring input prices to unpredictable weather to unfair foreign trade practices, farming is in many ways tougher than ever. While we’re no strangers to hard work or tough seasons, even the most resilient […]
U.S. Continues Suspension Agreements on Mexican Sugar
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) unanimously voted yesterday to maintain the Suspension Agreements on sugar imported from Mexico. This concludes a legal and procedural process required to be undertaken by the USITC and the Department of Commerce every five years to ensure the Suspension Agreements remain effective and are working as intended. “Sugar is […]
A Sweet Time at the 40th Sugar Symposium
Earlier this month, farm leaders from the sugar industry gathered with policymakers at the 40th International Sweetener Symposium. The conversations at the Symposium focused on the need to support American farmers and workers as they continue to face the challenges associated with raising a crop and processing it into sugar. We were grateful to hear from […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Luke Lindberg on Confirmation as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA)
On behalf of the nation’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers, the American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement on Luke Lindberg’s confirmation as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): “The American Sugar Alliance congratulates Luke Lindberg on his confirmation as Under Secretary for TFAA. […]
Supporting American Farm Production, National Security Remains Congressional Priority
Traverse City, MI – In a bipartisan show of support for America’s sugar producers and the role they play in supporting national food security, Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), and Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) spoke at the U.S. sugar industry’s 40th annual conference this week. “I think about the challenges that we […]
Farm and Sugar Experts Highlight Challenging Market Conditions
Traverse City, MI – Immense financial pressures and predatory international trade practices are threatening American family farms and factories. Farm economy and sugar policy exports presented on the challenges facing the U.S. sugar industry at the American Sugar Alliance’s 40th annual meeting this week. Presenters shared that farmers’ operating margins are being squeezed by falling […]
Deputy Secretary Vaden Reiterates Trump Administration Support for American Agriculture
Traverse City, MI — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden spoke today at the 40th International Sweetener Symposium, outlining how President Donald Trump, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, and the entire department are working to secure a more prosperous future for American agriculture. “Every action that we’re taking is with an America-first and […]
Statement on Final Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement: “America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane family farmers and workers are grateful the One Big Beautiful Bill Act included much needed provisions to strengthen U.S. sugar policy and help keep family farms in America. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of congressional leadership and the Trump Administration to […]
Statement Urging Final Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement: “America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane family farmers and workers urge final passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as quickly as possible. Thanks to Chairmen John Boozman, Mike Crapo, GT Thompson, and Jason Smith, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act contains farm and tax provisions that will help […]
Sugar 101: Putting American Jobs First
Farm policy is about much more than just the farm – it affects countless jobs from the field to the factory. Sugar is the main engine of economic growth in dozens of communities across the country, and much of the sugar made in America is done so by a union workforce. Supporting a strong U.S. […]
Agriculture Groups Celebrate America’s Pastime
America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers stepped back up to the plate last week, joining forces with fellow agricultural champions to make baseball sweeter than ever. The American Sugar Alliance proudly partnered with Ducks Unlimited, National Cotton Council, Farm Credit Council, United States Peanut Federation, and the U.S. Rice Producers Association for the second year in […]
Statement on Sugar-Related Provisions in the Senate Reconciliation Package
The American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement: “America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers are proud to produce sugar right here in America. Unfortunately, our family farms and factories are facing immense financial pressures which are making it difficult to continue. Several American sugar processing facilities have permanently closed in recent years resulting in the […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Stephen Vaden on Confirmation as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
On behalf of the nation’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers, the American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement on Stephen Vaden’s confirmation as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): “The American Sugar Alliance congratulates Stephen Vaden on his confirmation as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Deputy Secretary Vaden brings a […]
Keeping It Sweet During National Candy Month
June is National Candy Month, a celebration of all things sweet. This month—and every month—we take great pride in the hard work and dedication of America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers. Thanks to them, both candy manufacturers and consumers benefit from high-quality, made-in-America sugar. Sugar is an essential ingredient in not only your favorite […]
Voices from the Heartland: Farmers Urge Congress to Strengthen Farm Safety Net
Across rural America, farmers are sending a clear message to Congress: pass a five-year Farm Bill now, before it’s too late. Congress hasn’t updated the Farm Bill since 2018—instead, it’s patched together two year-long extensions with no long-term plan to update the farm safety net. These extensions do not address the current economic realities of […]
Statement on Sugar-Related Provisions in the House Reconciliation Package
The American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement: “America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers are proud to produce sugar right here in America. Unfortunately, our family farms and factories are facing immense financial pressures which are making it difficult to continue. Several American sugar processing facilities have permanently closed in recent years resulting in […]
“You are my hero!”
Sugar producers in the Red River Valley, a region straddling Minnesota and North Dakota, were honored to welcome Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Senator John Hoeven (ND), and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (ND-At Large) for a visit last week. Secretary Rollins, Senator Hoeven, and Congresswoman Fedorchak participated in both a roundtable and a sugar production tour, […]
Increased Farm Costs Highlighted at USDA Forum
Why is your tractor worth more than our house?” Minnesota sugarbeet farmer Neil Rockstad recalled a kitchen table conversation with his wife while speaking at the 101st annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. She had observed that the cost of a new tractor was worth more than their house. The already high – and rising – cost […]