Rent a chicken? More people take a crack at creating their own egg supply
People are flocking to backyard chickens this year, in part due to the sky-high cost of eggs at the grocery store.
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Tariffs impact what crops some U.S. farmers are choosing to plant this year
Farmers are planning on putting fewer acres of soybeans in the ground this spring amid retaliatory tariffs from China and higher production costs.
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Regional Climate Centers resume operations after funding loss led to closures
All six U.S. regional climate centers will remain online through a new contract deadline in mid-June.
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U.S. farmers were already struggling to turn a profit. Trump’s trade war will make that harder
Recently implemented tariffs are likely to push crop prices further down, while increasing the costs for fertilizer and farm equipment.
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With no staff left at LIHEAP, the federal utility assistance program, advocates worry about funding
A federal program that helped struggling customers pay their utility bills remains in limbo after the Trump administration fired its entire staff earlier this month.
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Easter chocolate is expensive this season. Here’s why
A shortage of cocoa beans is driving up the cost to make chocolate — especially for small chocolatiers. That means people buying chocolate for Easter can expect high prices.
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USDA ended its local food programs. A look at how farmers, schools and food banks are coping
Thousands of schools, farmers and food pantries in the Midwest and Great Plains planned on federal dollars over the next year to support local food purchases. And then the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut the programs.
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‘Unprecedented’ cuts to Midwest weather balloon launches could make it harder to forecast storms
National Weather Service offices across the country are suspending or reducing weather balloon flights due to low staffing. Meteorologists say the loss of data could lead to forecasting challenges and less accurate long-term outlooks.
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There’s a growing call to restrict junk food purchases by SNAP users, but experts say it’s complex
Attempts to eliminate junk food from SNAP coverage could gain traction under Trump’s presidency.
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Rural communities rely on this USDA agency. Trump’s cuts threaten that
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has provided billions of dollars each year to small towns, farmers and businesses.
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Midwest light pollution kills migrating birds, but scientists know how you can help
An ornithologist spent four decades tracking 40,000 bird deaths at a single building. His records paved the way to better scientific and public understanding.
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An alternative to the USDA Organic label could be more accessible for farmers. Can it stick?
Certified Naturally Grown offers farmers a cheaper and less time-consuming option to communicate how they produce their food. But terms like “natural” on food labels can be confusing for consumers.
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USDA ends programs that help schools and food banks buy locally-grown food
The cancellation of two programs will affect more than $1 billion in expected funding this year. Food advocates worry the cuts are coming when other federal food programs are at risk.
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Billions of federal aid for farmers is due this month. Some are counting on it
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said earlier this month that economic aid payments Congress approved late last year are on the way. But with days left before the deadline, some farmers are anxiously waiting.
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Small town grocery stores face unique challenges. Some Midwest states are trying to help
More states in the Midwest and Great Plains are trying to support rural, independent grocery stores through tailored grant programs.
