Texas Farm Fields Plowed Under Due to Treaty Noncompliance
South Texas was once home to the farmer-owned Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers (RGVSG) cooperative, comprised of more than 100 family farmers growing sugarcane and a raw sugar mill in Santa Rosa. Due to Mexico’s failure to deliver the water it owes the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty, the mill is now shuttered […]
Sugar 101: How U.S. Sugar Policy Keeps it Sweet in America
It’s often said that life is sweet. We know it’s made even sweeter by the farmers who grow sugarbeets and sugarcane right here in America. Not sure what sugarbeets and sugarcane are? Check out our first installment of Sugar 101. Now that we’ve covered where real sugar comes from, it’s time to learn more about […]
Farmer to Senate: Pride Does Not Pay the Bills
Tim Deal, a fourth-generation farmer from Minnesota, testified in front of the Senate Agriculture Committee yesterday, telling members that while he’s proud to play a role in feeding America, “pride does not pay the bills.” Tim’s testimony on the hardships of higher input costs and greater financial pressures highlights the grave challenges facing family farmers […]
America’s Sugar Crop Farmers, Workers Urge Swift Senate Confirmation of Brooke Rollins
Following the Senate Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan vote to advance the nomination of Brooke Rollins as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement on behalf of America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers: “President Donald Trump and Secretary-designate Rollins are committed to putting America’s farmers […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Doug Burgum on Confirmation as Secretary of the Interior
On behalf of the nation’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers, the American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement on Doug Burgum’s confirmation as Secretary of the Interior: “The American Sugar Alliance congratulates Doug Burgum on his confirmation as Secretary of the Interior. His leadership will be essential to ensuring that America’s farmers have the […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Lee Zeldin on Confirmation as EPA Administrator
On behalf of the nation’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers, the American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement on Lee Zeldin’s confirmation as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator: “Administrator Zeldin’s leadership will be pivotal in ensuring that America’s farmers can continue to produce safe, sustainable, and affordable food. That will require a renewed […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Kristi Noem on Confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security
On behalf of the nation’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers, the American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement on Kristi Noem’s confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security: “Congratulations to Kristi Noem on her confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security. We look forward to once again partnering with Secretary Noem to address the needs and […]
Sugar 101: Meet Your Made-In-America Sweetener
It’s a new year and there’s a new Congress in town! It’s time for a refresher on how sugar is made in America. This is the first in our new series of Sugar Beat newsletters covering the basics of sweet – so stay tuned for more Sugar 101. What is sugar? Real sugar is made […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Marco Rubio on Confirmation as Secretary of State
On behalf of the nation’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers, the American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement on Marco Rubio’s confirmation as Secretary of State: “Congratulations to Marco Rubio on his confirmation as Secretary of State. As the former senator from Florida, Secretary Rubio understands just how deeply American sugar production is tied […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Bicameral Agriculture Committee Leaders
As the 119th Congress begins, the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) congratulates both the new and returning leaders of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees: Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), as well as House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02). “At a […]
American Sugar Alliance Thanks Chairwoman Stabenow for Service to Michigan
On behalf of America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane family farmers, and the workers who process those crops into sugar, Michigan sugarbeet farmer Adam Herford issued the following statement on the retirement of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI): “For more than two decades, Chairwoman Stabenow has served as a vital partner to Michigan’s farmers, always […]
From Our Families to YOUR Family: Sweetest Holidays
Sugar is an essential part of our holiday traditions. Family recipes passed down from generation to generation bring warmth and joy to the holiday season. These sweet moments wouldn’t be possible without the sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers who provide us with a made-in-America supply of real sugar. In fact, our farmers and workers […]
American Sugar Alliance Urges Passage of Farm Assistance
The American Sugar Alliance (ASA) appreciates congressional leaders including a one-year Farm Bill extension and much-needed financial assistance for America’s farmers in the Continuing Resolution and urges Congress to immediately pass the legislation. Jack Pettus, Chairman of ASA and Vice President of the American Sugar Cane League, representing Louisiana’s sugar producers, issued the following statement: […]
More than JUST the Farm: Our Communities and Workers Need Congress to Take Action on a New Farm Bill
America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers are asking Congress to act urgently to strengthen the farm safety net. It’s important to listen as farmers share their stories. It’s just as important to recognize that farm policies affect more than just the farm — there are millions of Americans who depend on the economic engine of American […]
🚨 It’s Time to Take Action to Strengthen the Farm Safety Net
Farmers across the country are sending an SOS to Congress: Delaying enactment of much-needed improvements to the farm safety net harms the farmers we rely on every single day to feed us. Without a five-year Farm Bill, America will lose more farms, and we will become increasingly dependent on other countries to feed us. We […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Brooke Rollins on Nomination for Secretary of Agriculture
The American Sugar Alliance congratulates Brooke Rollins on being nominated as Secretary of Agriculture by President-elect Donald Trump. “America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and factory workers applaud President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to ensuring that agriculture remains a vital cornerstone of our nation’s economy and food security. Agriculture is facing historic challenges, and we look forward […]
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Strong Congressional Leadership Team
The American Sugar Alliance congratulates Senator John Thune (R-SD) on his election as Majority Leader of the Senate and Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) on his re-election as Speaker of the House. Each of these members will spearhead leadership teams with strong representation from sugar-producing states. “American farmers are vital to American strength and food security, […]
A Sweet Celebration of National Farmer’s Day
This National Farmer’s Day, we will be celebrating America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and everything they do to make our lives sweeter. Our 11,000 sugarbeet and sugarcane family farmers support over 151,000 American jobs coast-to-coast. In many of these communities, sugar is the main engine of economic growth. Rooted in farmer-, employee-, and family-owned cooperatives, […]
The Growing Importance of a 2024 Farm Bill
In a recent op-ed for Agri-Pulse, Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance and former Chief Economist at the U.S, Department of Agriculture (USDA), urged Congress to pass a new Farm Bill before the year ends. Over the past two years, Congress has held numerous hearings that have […]
Spooky Tales of No Chocolate in Trick-or-Treat Baskets? Look to Cocoa Shortage… Not Sugar
By Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis The volatility of the cocoa market has led to some truly spooky headlines over the past year, including cautionary tales of candy shortages. It’s inevitable that these headlines will rise from the dead again this Halloween and opponents of U.S. sugar policy may choose to […]