Bussell Farms

08/24/2026

When I look across our century farm, I see much more than cattle and pasture. I see generations of work. I see fences built, calves born, hay put up, difficult seasons endured, and land that has continued producing food year after year.

That is why the current conversation about beef prices matters so deeply to me.

I recognize that families need affordable food. I shop for groceries too, and I understand the strain higher prices place on a household budget. But there is another side of the story—one that begins long before a package of beef reaches the grocery-store cooler.

Raising cattle requires land, feed, fuel, equipment, fencing, veterinary care, and countless hours of work. Nearly every one of those expenses has increased. Cattle producers cannot simply stop feeding their animals, repairing fences, or caring for their land when costs rise.

Depending more heavily on lower-priced imported beef may offer consumers some temporary relief, but it could come at a lasting cost. If American producers cannot earn enough to remain in business, many family farms will eventually be forced to sell.

Farms are not always lost because the next generation lacks love for agriculture. Sometimes they are lost because the financial burden becomes too great. When developers can pay far more for farmland than agriculture can ever return, another pasture becomes a subdivision—and another piece of our nation’s ability to produce its own food disappears.

Our century farm was handed down to us because previous generations protected it through their own hard times. We feel a responsibility to do the same for those who will come after us. But preserving farms requires more than loving the land. It requires an agricultural economy in which farmers can afford to keep farming.

I am not asking families to ignore their budgets or spend more than they can afford. I am asking all of us to consider the long-term consequences of choosing the lowest possible price without considering where our food comes from.

When possible, purchase beef from a local producer. Support processors and butcher shops that work with area farmers. Read labels, ask questions, and learn about the people raising the food your family eats.

Affordable food matters—but so does maintaining a strong, dependable American food supply.

If we want our children and grandchildren to have access to American-raised beef tomorrow, we must value the cattle producers and farmland that make it possible today.

08/23/2026

Country roads, green pastures, rolled hay, and a sky only God could paint.

08/23/2026

Some evenings simply make you stop and take it all in. 🌅

Life in agriculture teaches us to keep our eyes on the sky—watching for sunshine and rain, planning when to cut hay, and caring for the crops and livestock that depend on us. But sometimes, the sky asks nothing from us except that we pause and appreciate its beauty.

Standing here among the green pastures and freshly rolled hay, I’m reminded why this life means so much to me. Agriculture is more than the work we do—it is our heritage, our community, and a story I am proud to share with the next generation.

After a busy day, God painted a beautiful reminder above the farm: there is always something to be thankful for. 💛🌾
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08/09/2026

🌾❤️ Inspired. Encouraged. Ready to keep telling agriculture’s story.

The inaugural Tennessee Farm Bureau Grassroots Conference was a wonderful opportunity to learn from industry leaders and be reminded just how important agricultural advocacy is.

Michelle Miller, The Farm Babe, especially inspired me with her passion for combating misinformation and sharing the truth about agriculture. As someone who grew up in agriculture and continues to advocate for it through Farm Bureau, education, and our community, her message truly hit home.

Our stories matter. If we don’t tell the story of agriculture, someone else will. 🌾

08/09/2026

Agricultural advocacy has never been more important—because if we don’t share the story of agriculture, someone else will. ❤️🌾 With that in mind, we had the opportunity to attend the inaugural Tennessee Farm Bureau Grassroots Conference, and it was a wonderful reminder of why I am so passionate about agriculture and the people who make up this industry.

It is always encouraging to hear from industry leaders, learn from their experiences, and be reminded of the importance of advocating for agriculture. Mike Keith, “The Voice of the Tennessee Vols,” shared an informative and engaging message that we truly enjoyed.

My personal favorite was Michelle Miller, The Farm Babe. Her story really resonated with me. She shared how her journey led her into agriculture and ultimately gave her a passion for combating misinformation and sharing the facts about our industry.

Having grown up in agriculture, raising my own family on the farm, and spending many years promoting agriculture through Farm Bureau, education, and our community, her message hit close to home. Agriculture has shaped so much of who I am, and I believe those of us who live it have an important story to tell.

We may not reach millions of people, but every conversation, every post, and every opportunity to share the real story of agriculture matters. 🌾❤️

I left the conference inspired and reminded that our stories matter—and if we don’t tell the story of agriculture, someone else will.

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

What a wonderful experience at the Tennessee Farm Bureau Grassroots Conference! 🌱

One of the highlights was hearing Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe, share her message about the importance of telling agriculture’s story. She reminded us that if we don’t share the truth about what happens on our farms and in our agricultural communities, someone else will tell that story for us—and it may not always be accurate.

Her message about building connections between farmers and consumers, addressing misinformation, and using our voices to advocate for agriculture was both inspiring and encouraging. In a world where social media can spread inaccurate information so quickly, it is more important than ever for those of us involved in agriculture to speak up, share our experiences, and help consumers understand where their food and fiber truly come from.

I left encouraged and reminded that our stories matter, our voices matter, and agriculture has a story worth telling. ❤️🌾

Thank you, Tennessee Farm Bureau, for another great Grassroots Conference and the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together!

07/27/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a coordinated, phased reopening of southern cattle ports, contingent on Mexico’s adherence to the Joint Action Plan.

Beginning August 24, 2026, USDA will open the Douglas, AZ port of entry to cattle trade, while simultaneously initiating the operational steps necessary for subsequent openings at the Santa Teresa, NM, and Columbus, NM, ports. Every animal entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure it is free of any signs of New World screwworm (NWS).

For many years, Sonora and Chihuahua have maintained a strong animal health infrastructure program, built on the backs of successful animal disease control measures. While the rest of Mexico has not been able to stop the spread of the screwworm or stop legal and illegal movement, Sonora and Chihuahua do have a track record of success in these spaces, giving USDA confidence that they can do the job.

USDA proposes a phased reopening of Southern ports to livestock trade, contingent upon satisfactory progress on priority Action Plan milestones.

Sonora and Chihuahua are identified as the lowest-risk Mexican states for New World screwworm due to their strong, well-established inspection programs and their geographic distance from southern Mexico, where most cases are concentrated.

On August 24, 2026, USDA will reopen the Douglas, AZ, port, which borders Sonora, to livestock trade. The closest active case to the Douglas, AZ, port is ~325 miles detected on July 22, 2026. After evaluating the success of the initial reopening and potential impacts or risk assessment changes, APHIS will then consider reopening the Santa Teresa, NM, and Columbus, NM, ports to live cattle, bison, and horses.

The reopening timeline will remain flexible and may be adjusted based on Mexico’s progress in meeting Action Plan milestones and addressing critical issues.
The opening of ports may be paused if USDA identifies increased risk in Sonora or Chihuahua via post-opening audits or other observations/information.

07/20/2026

Election Day is our opportunity to shape the future of our communities. Every vote is a chance to stand up for the values and priorities that matter most.

I cast my vote for candidates who will support agriculture, strengthen public education, and remain accessible and accountable to the everyday people they were elected to serve. I believe leadership should be about serving communities—not special interests or powerful corporations.

Whether we agree on every issue or not, I encourage everyone to become informed, vote, and make your voice heard. Our communities are strongest when citizens participate, and every vote has the power to make a difference.