Organic Farming Has A Plastic Problem. One Solution Is Controversial
Many organic farmers rely on plastic as a form of mulch, but it ends up in landfills. Biodegradable plastic could help, but some worry about its long-term effects on soil health and the environment.
Illinois Farmers Delay Planting Crops Amid Wet Weather, Low Crop Prices And Trade Uncertainty
Floodwaters on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers may be going down, but rain has continued to soak farmland around much of the state. More rain could…
It’s Planting Season, Except For Farmers Affected By Major Flooding
The Missouri River swamped Scott Olson’s land in March — the second time in the last eight years. Flooding tore holes in his fields and left mounds of…
One Way To Make Flyover Country More Welcoming To Migrating Birds
As grassland and prairies gave way to farmland in the Midwest, habitats for some native birds disappeared. There’s a relatively new program in central…
Silicon Valley Startup Aims For Transparency, One Seed Price At A Time
A Silicon Valley startup is pitting itself against major seed companies, alleging that those companies are price gouging in the Heartland. Farmers…
Missouri River Flooding Didn’t Just Damage Farms, It Impacted The Global Supply Chain
Farmers along the Missouri River and its tributaries are still assessing damage from recent flooding. But beyond the farms in parts of Iowa, Nebraska,…
A Surplus Of Meat And Dairy Puts A Strain On U.S. Markets And Storage
Meat and dairy are piling up across the U.S. It has cold storage places packed to the rafters, and the federal government, which subsidizes the…
Why Transitioning A Farm From One Generation To The Next Is Trickier Than Ever
Family structures—and farms themselves—are much more complicated than they used to be. Today, farm transition and land transfer are now among the…
How Ag Programs Fare Under Trump’s Proposed Budget For 2020
President Donald Trump’s 2020 budget proposal is getting a lot of attention for its call for more border protection, but it also makes major changes to…
Ohio Community Fears Pollution From Planned Coal Mine
“I water my horses out of this creek down here,” Jeff Ivers says, resting his hand on his horse’s nose. He looks out over his land: 43 acres, surrounded…
Study: Benefits of Some Genetically Engineered Seeds Extend Beyond Pest Control
After more than 20 years, an early tool of genetic engineering in crops is doing more than just killing pests. It’s providing environmental benefits,…
Soybeans Singled Out In U.S.-China Trade War, But Small Farmers Bear The Brunt
In theory, closing off China’s soybean market due to the trade dispute with the U.S. on top of generally low prices for the commodity should affect all…
In Their First Week Back On The Job, Federal Workers Play Catch Up To Aid Farmers
At her desk in Greeley, Colorado, Shelly Woods pulls out three thick stacks of manila folders. These files represent dozens of local farmers who’ve…
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