I’m Mary Walden, with economist MW, welcoming you to the economic perspective.   Today’s program looks at home equity and business starts.  Mike, one of the aspects of our economy that we celebrate is the ability of people to start their…

A Minnesota-based distillery has announced a initiative to boost sales of oragnically-sourced liquors. Prairie Organic Spirits has launched its Spirit of Change Fund that will commit one percent of sales to support the next generation of organic farmers and to…

The Farm Credit System this week reported combined net income of $5.3 billion for 2018, as compared with $5.2 billion for the prior year. The system also reported combined net income of $1.3 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018,…

A coalition of more than 50 farm groups is asking lawmakers to safeguard crop insurance. The organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, warned in a letter to top-ranking House and Senate budget leaders this week, “An overreliance on budget…

As the troubled farm economy pushes more and more American family farmers and ranchers into significant financial stress, National Farmers Union is urging U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to work with Congress to make significant enhancements to the farm safety…

This is Mary Walden with economist MW, welcoming you to the economic perspective.   Today’s program looks at disrupters of the economy.  Mike, you and I have lived long enough to know much of the world doesn’t stay the same.  There…

The U.S. has asked China to lower tariffs on ethanol imports as part of the ongoing talks between the two nations. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue confirmed the U.S. request on Tuesday, saying, “We would certainly love below 15 percent.” Last…

A group of industry and agriculture companies and associations has launched the USMCA Coalition, an effort to see the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement through ratification. The USMCA Coalition is a collection of more than 200 organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of…