Today’s quick hits, Aug. 15, 2024

Subsidy payments unlikely: The decline in market prices for the 2023 and 2024 corn, wheat, and soybean crops are unlikely to trigger payments from the USDA’s two major subsidy plans, the Price Loss Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage programs, said university analysts. (farmdoc daily)

Whole hog for mushrooms: With help from a nonprofit group, a farm family is converting their hog barns in central Iowa to mushroom production and planting native trees and pollinator-friendly plants in their fields in hopes of making a profit while working with nature. (New York Times)

Beginning farmers committee: The USDA appointed 20 new members, from California to North Carolina, to the advisory committee that helps set policies and programs for beginning farmers and ranchers. (USDA)

Guenther goes to Florida: Robert Guenther, the former chief public policy officer at the International Fresh Produce Association, will become executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange and the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange in addition to being manager of the Florida Tomato Committee. (The Packer)