State officials in Pennsylvania say the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, passed by Congress in March, allows for all food stamp recipients to receive additional aid. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the aid is capped, and the lowest-income Pennsylvanians – who are already receiving the maximum benefit due to their low incomes – should not receive any additional help. (WHYY)

In 2020, farmers faced volatile markets and uncertainty thanks to adverse weather, changing markets, and COVID-19. Yet they remain optimistic and focused on what drives them each and every day. Meet 21 diversified farmers and ranchers eager to welcome 2021. (Successful Farming

After decades of food-insecurity experts lamenting the toll that food deserts take on the poor, the Trump administration has managed to get more fresh fruit and vegetables directly into the hands of food-insecure Americans and simultaneously prop up small farmers. (The Washington Post)

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, a monthly survey of 400 U.S. agricultural producers, dropped 16 points to a reading of 167 in November, down from its all-time high set just one month ago. (Feedstuffs)

Net cash farm income for 2020 is expected to increase 43.1% from 2019 totals, driven heavily by higher government payments, putting net farm income at the highest level since 2013 once adjusted for inflation. (DTN)  

A growing number of farmers are incorporating new soil conservation practices on 250,000 acres in central Illinois. (WCIA