Using the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program to Expand On-Farm Storage

 

Program celebrates 25 successful years

AUGUST 27, 2025 — For a quarter century, family-owned agricultural operations have received low-interest financing through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) to enhance their operations through on-farm storage solutions. 

Milton Arnett in Green County, Kentucky, has leveraged FSA’s farm storage program to expand his diversified cattle and grain operation, Double R Farms.

“We produce hay as part of our operation. We use that hay to feed our cattle and to sell to other farmers in the area,” Milton said. “The overall cost of production means that putting up hay is a large investment in the operation. So, we must make sure our hay is high quality in order to get the most return on our investment and to get the most nutrient value in our feed.”

Baling hay involves a considerable amount of labor and – if stored improperly – can be exposed to weather, mold and pests impacting both the quantity and quality of the hay. Through the FSFL program, Milton was able to purchase a hay storage structure in addition to handling equipment and a grain bin. 

“We were able to build a hoop style hay storage barn on our farm to reduce waste from rot and weathering. The increased hay quality led to more efficient weight gains for our cattle and our customers’ livestock,” Milton said. “Protecting the quality of hay and length of time we can store it has increased the marketability and profitability of our hay production.”

 The FSFL program was created in May 2000 to address existing on-farm grain storage needs. Over the past 25 years, eligible storage has expanded to include a wide variety of facilities and related equipment - new or used and permanent or portable - including hay barns, milk bulk tanks, and facilities for cold storage. Drying, handling and storage equipment is also eligible, including skid steers and storage and handling trucks. 

“Applying for the FSFL program was a simple process,” he said. “The [FSA] office helped us every step of the way to make sure we understood the requirements and told us where we were in the process. I encourage any agricultural producer that needs storage to use the FSFL Program.”

Eligibility 

Eligible commodities for storge loans include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, hemp, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables, floriculture, hops, seed cotton, wool, maple sap, maple syrup, milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs, unprocessed meat and poultry, rye and aquaculture. Most recently, controlled atmosphere storage was added as an eligible facility and bison meat has been also added to the list of eligible commodities.  

FSFL is an excellent financing option to address on-farm storage and handling needs for small and mid-sized farms, and for new farmers and ranchers. Loan terms vary from three to 12 years. The maximum loan amount for storage facilities is $500,000. The maximum loan amount for storage and handling trucks is $100,000. In 2016, FSA introduced a new storage loan category, the microloan, for loans with an aggregate balance up to $50,000. Microloans have a 5% down payment requirement, compared to a 15% down payment for a regular FSFL, and microloans waive the regular three-year production history requirement. 

How to apply 

Loan applications should be filed in the administrative FSA county office that maintains a producer’s farm records. Producers can contact their FSA County Office to make an appointment. Beginning farmers who haven’t worked with FSA can visit farmers.gov/your-business/beginning-farmers for more information or view the New Farmers Fact Sheet. 

More information    

For more information, visit the FSFL webpage, view the fact sheet and our Ask the Expert Blog, or contact your FSA County Office.

Farm Security is National Security

 

(Washington, D.C., July 8, 2025) — Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the next pillar of her Make Agriculture Great Again initiative: USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan. This historic plan elevates American agriculture as a key element of our nation’s national security, addressing urgent threats from foreign adversaries and strengthening the resilience of our nation’s food and agricultural systems. "We feed the world. We lead the world. And we’ll never let foreign adversaries control our land, our labs, or our livelihoods," said Secretary Rollins. "This Action Plan puts America’s farmers, families, and future first—exactly where they belong. Under President Trump’s leadership, American agriculture will be strong, secure, and resilient. He will never stop fighting for our farmers and our ranchers.” A Real Threat, a Real Response Recent events highlight the critical need for this action. Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice charged foreign nationals, including a Chinese Communist Party member, with smuggling a noxious fungus into the United States—a potential agroterrorism weapon responsible for billions in global crop losses. The scheme involved a U.S. research lab and highlighted a disturbing trend: America’s enemies are playing the long game—infiltrating our research, buying up our farmland, stealing our technology, and launching cyberattacks on our food systems. These actions expose strategic vulnerabilities in America’s food and agriculture supply chain. Enough is enough. Protecting the homeland begins with protecting our farmland and the National Farm Security Action Plan puts American farmers and ranchers first by safeguarding our food supply, strengthening critical infrastructure, and defending U.S. agricultural innovation from foreign adversaries.  A Comprehensive Action Plan for Agriculture Security The National Farm Security Action Plan takes aggressive action across seven critical areas. Secure and Protect American Farmland – Address U.S. foreign farmland ownership from adversaries head on. Total transparency. Tougher penalties. Enhance Agricultural Supply Chain Resilience – Refocus domestic investment into key manufacturing sectors and identify non-adversarial partners to work with when domestic production is not available. Plan for contingencies. Protect U.S. Nutrition Safety Net from Fraud and Foreign Exploitation – Billions have been stolen by foreign crime rings. That ends now. Defend Agricultural Research and Innovation – No more sweetheart deals or secret pacts with hostile nations. American ideas stay in America. Put America First in Every USDA Program – From farm loans to food safety, every program will reflect the America First agenda. Safeguard Plant and Animal Health – Crack down on bio-threats before they ever reach our soil. Protect Critical Infrastructure – Farms, food, and supply chains are national security assets—and will be treated as such.   Read the full plan (PDF, 1.1 MB) A United Front Against Foreign Threats This National Farm Security Action Plan will serve as the launch point for USDA to work in further unison with governors, state legislators, and federal partners to further integrate agriculture into the broader national security efforts over the coming months and years reaffirming the critical nature of agriculture and the need for a cross governmental approach. Defending access to American abundance and preserving the American experiment is the essence of agriculture security - and it is why farm security is national security. “Foreign ownership of land near strategic bases and US military installations poses a serious threat to our national security. The Farm Security Plan will put America First and keep our bases across the homeland secure,” said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. “Farm security is national security. The Department of Justice will continue working to prosecute those who threaten American agriculture, investigate cases of potential agro-terrorism, and protect America’s farmers from illegal threats at home and abroad,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.   “Food policy is national security policy. A country who cannot feed itself, cannot take care of itself, and cannot provide for itself is not secure. We have to be able to feed ourselves to make sure that no other country ever controls us…We will never let any other country control our food supply or control our people because we will always be the great United States of America,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. "Arkansas led the nation in kicking Communist China off our farmland and out of our state because we understand that farm security is national security,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “I applaud President Trump and Secretary Rollins for putting America first with this bold USDA Action Plan to protect our food supply, our economy, and our freedom.” “Tennesseans know that our farmland is our national security, our economic future, and our children's heritage. The National Farm Security Action Plan puts America First by defending our farmland from foreign adversaries and protecting our food supply, and I thank the Trump Administration for its bold leadership,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “Farm Security = Food Security = National Security. Thanks to these actions taken by President Trump and his team, we can further protect the backbone of Nebraska’s economy from foreign adversaries like China. Homeland security starts at home, and we will continue to do our part in Nebraska,” said Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. “Foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are trying to get their foot in the door by buying up our farmland,” said Senator Tommy Tuberville. “In my state of Alabama, we have the fourth-highest amount of foreign-owned land in the U.S. with 2.2 million acres. Not only is this dangerous for our farmers, but it’s disastrous for our national security. Thankfully, the Trump administration is taking action to secure our farmland and keep us safe from bad foreign actors.” “Farm security is national security, and it is imperative that we start recognizing this before it is too late,” said Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. “President Trump understands this, and I applaud the work his administration has done to partner with Kansas agriculture and the biodefense industry to ensure that plant and animal diseases do not compromise our food supply.” “President Trump is using every tool at his disposal to keep our nation safe, and that includes securing our food supply. This historic USDA effort reflects his clear understanding that food security is national security, and under his leadership, America’s farmers and families are safer and stronger,” said House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson. “Under Governor Sanders' leadership, Arkansas was the first state in the country to kick China off our farmland. Thank you President Trump, Secretary Rollins, and Secretary Hegseth for what you are doing to stop our adversaries from destroying our country and for protecting the way of life that provides the food, fiber, fuel, and shelter that we all depend on every single day,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Agriculture is national security, period. A nation that cannot feed itself, cannot defend itself, and I’m excited to work together with Sec. Rollins and Sec. Hegseth to champion policies that will strengthen US farm security and protect our nation’s farmers, farmland, and food supply,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “I am grateful for Secretary Brooke Rollins’ bold leadership in advancing USDA’s Ag Security Agenda, which prioritizes safeguarding American agriculture and farmland from those who seek to undermine our nation’s food and energy security. Iowa’s multi-generation family farms are the backbone of our state’s economy and way of life. For decades, Iowa has banned the foreign ownership of farmland, a law we strengthened in 2024, to preserve our agricultural integrity and security while balancing the need for foreign business investment in our state. I fully support Secretary Rollins’ and the Trump Administration’s efforts to bolster enforcement, increase reporting, and enhance transparency of land ownership laws at the national level to guarantee that our American farmland remains in the hands of Americans,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “The USDA’s leadership in developing this comprehensive Plan shows a clear commitment to putting American farmers and ranchers first,” said Commissioner Shell. “Protecting our farmland and food systems from foreign influence and biosecurity threats is critical not only to our agricultural economy but to the national security of the United States. I’m proud to join colleagues from across the nation in supporting this important work,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell. “Agriculture is truly the backbone of our nation, and protecting the U.S. now and into the future means protecting our food supply. I applaud the foresight and leadership of Secretary Rollins and her colleagues to defend and strengthen American agriculture. I look forward to supporting these efforts on behalf of our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers and all Americans who count on the safe, reliable, and nutritious food we produce in the United States,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur.

USDA to Open General and Continuous Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment for 2025

 

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced several Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment opportunities for agricultural producers and landowners. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous CRP beginning today through June 6, 2025.  

CRP, USDA’s flagship conservation program, celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year. For four decades, CRP has provided financial and technical support to agricultural producers and landowners who place unproductive or marginal cropland under contract for 10-15 years and who agree to voluntarily convert the land to beneficial vegetative cover to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and support wildlife habitat. The American Relief Act, 2025, extended provisions for CRP through Sept. 30, 2025. 

“With 1.8 million acres available for all CRP enrollment this fiscal year, we are very aware that we are bumping up against the statutory 27-million-acre statutory cap,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Now more than ever, it’s important that the acres offered by landowners and those approved by USDA address our most critical natural resource concerns. With the limited number of acres that we have available, we’re not necessarily looking for the most acres offered but instead prioritizing mindful conservation efforts to ensure we maximize the return on our investment from both a conservation and economic perspective.”

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Extension to host free FAMACHA certification for goat, sheep producers in western Arkansas

 By Tracy Courage

U of A System Division of Agriculture

 

 

Fast Facts: 

·       Half-day training offered May 2 in Sebastian County

·       Topics: Integrated pest management, dewormers, FAMACHA 

·        Register by April 30 at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/famacha25

LITTLE ROCK — Producers of small ruminants can get certified in using the FAMACHA system  at a free training offered May 2 by the Cooperative Extension Service.

FAMACHA© is checking the color of the mucous membrane of the eye against a color chart to determine if the animal is anemic and needs to be dewormed.   

Attendees will learn about the biology of the main parasites that affect goats, sheep and other animals and learn about integrated parasite management. They’ll become certified in using FAMACHA — short for Faffa Malan Chart, a diagnostic method for identifying the presence of Barber’s pole worm _— Haemonchus contortus. 

“As barber pole worm is a bloodsucker parasite, a high parasite load can decrease appetite, affect digestion and cause anemia,” said Dan Quadros, extension small ruminant specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “In severe cases, parasite infections can kill sheep and goats. FAMACHA is an easy, accessible method to check the animals and determine if they need treatment.”

 

The training will be held 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Sebastian County Fairgrounds, 530 E. Knoxville St., Greenwood. The training is free, but online registration is required and available at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/famacha25.

 

Joan Burke, a research animal scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, will lead the training.

Burke has researched the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and goats. Her program addresses issues that producers may encounter with their livestock, such as organic and grass-fed production systems for ruminant livestock and alternatives to synthetic dewormers, such as specialty forages, genetic and genomic selection for parasite resistance, nutrition, and products such as copper oxide wire particles. 

Burke is also one of the founding members of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers and Communities Affected by Weekend Storms

 

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced today that USDA will be delivering any assistance it can for communities and agricultural producers affected by the weekend storms that cut a path of devastation through the South and Midwest. These storms have sparked tornadoes, dust storms and wildfires that have engulfed hundreds of square miles, left hundreds of thousands of homes without power and taken dozens of lives. “My heart goes out to the families that have lost loved ones, homes, businesses and livelihoods,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump has ordered his administration to assist the state and local efforts in any way we can, and USDA stands ready to deliver that help to those who need it. USDA will be there for the people and communities we serve as they recover and rebuild from this devastation.” Food safety guidance: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is helping affected residents take steps to reduce their risk of foodborne illness as they return to their homes after severe weather. During a power outage, the refrigerator will keep food at a safe temperature (below 40°F) for up to 4 hours. A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full). Discard any perishable food items in the refrigerator and freezer after these timeframes.   **IN CASE OF FLOODING** Drink only bottled water that has not been in contact with flood water. Screw caps are not waterproof, so discard any bottled water that may have come in contact with flood water. If you don’t have bottled water, learn how to safely boil or disinfect water at FSIS Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes webpage. Discard any food or beverage that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance it may have been in contact with flood water. Containers with screw caps, snap lids, pull tops and crimped caps are not waterproof. Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches such as flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches, can be saved by following the steps at the FSIS Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes webpage. Thoroughly wash all metal pans, utensils and ceramic dishes that came in contact with flood water with hot soapy water. Rinse, then sanitize, by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one of tablespoon unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water. Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers that may have come in contact with flood water – they cannot be saved after contact with flood water.   For questions about food safety, call the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854, Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (English or Spanish), email MPHotline@usda.gov or live chat at Ask USDA. Risk management and disaster assistance for agricultural operations: USDA offers several risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover after disasters. Even before disasters strike, USDA provides tools for producers to manage their risk through the Federal Crop Insurance Program, a public-private partnership between USDA’s Risk Management Agency and private companies and agents. For crops that do not have crop insurance available, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) is available through the local Farm Service Agency. This risk protection includes crop production loss and tree loss for certain crop insurance products. Producers should reach out to their crop insurance agent or local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for more information. Producers who suffer losses and are signed up for Federal Crop Insurance or NAP are asked to report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office, respectively, within 72 hours of discovering damage and follow up in writing within 15 days. Livestock and perennial crop producers often have more limited risk management options available, so there are several disaster programs for them. Key programs offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency include: The Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that were killed or severely injured by a natural disaster or loss of feed and grazing acres. The Tree Assistance Program provides cost share assistance to rehabilitate or replant orchards and vineyards when storms kill or damage the trees, vines or bushes. NAP or Federal Crop Insurance often only covers the crop and not the plant. The Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore damaged farmland or forests.   It is also critical that producers keep accurate records to document damage or loss and to report losses to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible. Additionally, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service can provide financial resources through its Emergency Watershed Protection Program. On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is also ready to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and standing by for requests for assistance from states and local authorities, to provide emergency nutrition assistance to people in need. USDA Rural Development (RD) also stands ready to partner with rural communities in their long-term recovery after enduring natural disasters. RD offers programs and services to help people repair and rebuild their homes, businesses, infrastructure and more. Learn more about how RD can support your rural recovery needs at Rural Development Disaster Assistance | Rural Development (usda.gov).

Four States Ag Expo Feb. 13 in Texarkana

  

 

By Tracy Courage

U of A System Division of Agriculture

 

TEXARKANA, Ark. – The Four States Agricultural Expo returns Feb. 13, bringing together growers and producers from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma area to learn about the latest research and resources available for commercial horticulture, livestock and forages, integrated pest management, home gardening, lawn, pond management, and more.

 

The expo is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Four States Fairgrounds, 3700 E. 50th Street in Texarkana. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. All growers and producers from the four-state region are invited. The expo is free, open to the public, and includes lunch. No registration is required. Lunch will be provided by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas and Texas Farm Bureau - Bowie County. Sponsors and donors include Cavender’s Texarkana and Simmons Bank-Jonathan Shumate.

 

The event is a joint project of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, with experts from both agencies presenting workshops throughout the day.

 

“We usually have around 350 people attend,” said Jennifer Caraway, Miller County extension agent. “Every year we offer a variety of agricultural sessions about livestock and forages, row crops, horticulture, commercial horticulture, timber and wildlife management, and pond management."

 

Continuing education units — CEUs — are available for licensed pesticide applicators. Texas pesticide applicators pay $10 for up to five hours of CEU credits. Arkansas pesticide applicator training will be available at the expo. The cost is $65, with $20 paid to Miller County Cooperative Extension and $45 paid to Arkansas State Plant Board to obtain a five-year license.

 

Concurrent programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. and include the following topics and speakers:

 

8:30 a.m.

* Managing Vegetation in Farm Ponds – Tyson Keese, pond management program specialist, Texas A&M. 

* Vaccination Protocols for Beef Cattle – Meg Harrington, NAH Livestock Consulting.

* Production & Management of Blueberries – Tim Hartman, assistant professor,  extension specialist, integrated pest management Texas A&M.

 

9:45 a.m.

* Alternative Forages for Livestock – Jonathan Kubesch, extension forage specialist, Division of Agriculture.

* The Fate of Dicamba and Rice Weed Control – Bob Scott, extension weed scientist, Division of Agriculture. 

* Production and Management of Tomatoes – John Gavin, Bradley County extension agent, Division of Agriculture.

* Beekeeping 101 – Garrett Slater, assistant professor and apiculture extension entomologist, Texas A&M.

 

11 a.m.

* Managing Fish Populations in Farm Ponds – Tyson Keese, Texas A&M.

* Treating Common Diseases in Beef Cattle – Robert Bonner, DVM, Nashville Animal Hospital.

* Production and Management of Peaches – Tim Hartmann, Texas A&M. 

 

Noon-1 p.m.: Lunch

 

1 p.m.

* Safe Use of Pesticides Around the Farm – Bob Scott, extension weed scientist, Division of Agriculture.

* Grassy Weed Control in Pastures and Hay – Chad Cummings, Texas A&M county extension agent-agriculture and natural resources.

* Pests, Pathogens, Pesticides, and Poor Nutrition and Their Impact on Bee Hives – Garrett Slater, Texas A&M. 

 

2:15 p.m.

* Broadleaf Weed Control in Pasture and Hay – Chad Cummings, Texas A&M.

* Arkansas Pesticide Applicator Training – Jennifer Caraway, Miller County agricultural extension agent, Division of Agriculture.

* Texas Auxin Training – Brian Triplett, county agent-agriculture and natural resources, Texas A&M.

 

For more information about the expo, contact the Miller County Extension office at 870-779-3609. To learn more about Division of Agriculture extension programs, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insect Waste Can Improve Soil Fertility

 Insect frass. (Photo by Taylor Adams, ARS)

January 29, 2025

Insect droppings, commonly known as insect frass, may seem useless and downright disgusting, but scientists found that this waste can improve soil health when added as a fertilizer in farming.

Insect frass is a mixture of excreta, feed, and molted skins. These droppings are a by-product of farming insects like yellow mealworms, banded crickets, and black soldier flies. Farmers raise and breed insects, also known as “mini-livestock,” to be an alternative protein source for animals and be a more sustainable practice in agriculture.

Insect frass may also be used as fertilizer. Previous studies by this team led by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) show insect frass can have higher carbon and nitrogen content than fossil fuel-based fertilizers and fewer pathogens than other animal manures.

These researchers, along with collaborators from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, also studied insect frass’ potential as an organic fertilizer source when used as a soil amendment in farming.

In a two-year field study, researchers found that frass from yellow mealworm increased the amount of carbon by two times and nitrogen by three times in soils than other sources like poultry litter and ammonium nitrate. Furthermore, soils with frass addition produced crop yields and carbon dioxide emission rates similar to soils amended with poultry litter and ammonium nitrate.

“Insect frass substantially improved soil fertility which showed its ability to be used as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers,” Amanda Ashworth, a soil scientist at the ARS Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit in Fayetteville, Arkansas, said. 

“This is important since insect farming is on the rise and circular agricultural systems (agricultural by-products that are recycled back into production systems) can be sustainable avenues for growing foods in the future.”

According to Meticulous Research’s Global Edible Insects Market Forecast to 2030 report, the insect farming industry is expanding in response to increasing demands for sustainable protein sources for animal feed. The industry is projected to grow 28% annually and have an estimated market value of $8 billion U.S. dollars by 2030.

The study was recently published in Scientific Reports and done in collaboration with crop, soil and environmental science researchers with the Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the ARS Biological Control of Pests Research Unit in Stoneville, Mississippi.

The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.