Voice of the Farmer Garden Launches at USDA Headquarters

Mar 26, 2026
By Farms.com

Farm Journal Foundation unveils permanent exhibit highlighting US agriculture

Voice of the Farmer Garden was launched on National Ag day at the U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters.

The event included a brief groundbreaking ceremony, garden demonstrations, a partner showcase, and lunch. The garden serves as a permanent educational exhibit, highlighting the major crops grown in the United States and explaining agriculture’s role in food security, nutrition, and economic growth.

The inaugural event featured remarks from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Aubrey Bettencourt, along with PepsiCo Executive Steven Williams, Maryland Farmer Ambassador Belinda Burrier, and Farm Journal Foundation CEO Tricia Beal.

Visitors can explore educational signage and use an interactive mobile phone walking tour, which features videos of farmers from across the country sharing their stories. This platform allows the public to learn where food, fuel, and fiber come from, and understand the hard work and dedication of farmers.

“Today, farmers represent less than 2 percent of the population, so consumers are more and more removed from the farm,” said Farm Journal Foundation CEO Tricia Beal.

“The Voice of the Farmer Garden is an important platform for educating visitors about where their food, fuel, and fiber come from, and the passion and hard work that goes into feeding America. We are deeply grateful to the USDA and all our partners for supporting this initiative and helping amplify the voices of farmers as they tell their important stories,” said Beal.

Throughout 2026, their are plans to host events and activities in the garden to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The garden is open year-round outside USDA Headquarters at Jefferson Drive and 12th Street, SW in Washington, D.C.

Photo Credit: usda

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.