The nation’s food and agriculture groups are glad to have a familiar face back at the helm of the Department of Agriculture.

The House has passed a new stopgap spending bill to keep the government funded through next week - and buy more time for negotiators to reach a deal on a new coronavirus relief package.

Financial conditions in rural America have stabilized after being rocked by the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, but some ag lenders say they’re concerned about the prospect of another wave of economic hardship if the virus were to intensify once again.

Despite progress on gender diversity and ongoing outreach efforts to the black community, many in agriculture struggle to be more inclusive and racially diverse. Key black leaders explain why more effort is needed.