Bird populations are shrinking faster in agriculture hotspots— including the Midwest, study finds
New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.
Tag: agriculture
Gas prices are surging. Farm groups say American ethanol could help ease the pain
Agriculture leaders and producers are urging Congress to allow year-round sales of fuel made with up to 15% ethanol, which they say could boost domestic demand for corn — and offer a cheaper gas option for U.S. drivers this summer.
A student farming program is expanding in urban schools. Here’s what city kids get out of FFA
Program advisors say students are learning skills that can help them work in a wide range of industries — from biotech to cosmetology.
AgTech Week brings pitch competition for startups, discussions on biomanufacturing to Champaign-Urbana
AgTech Week is a celebration of Champaign-Urbana’s ag tech industry.
Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices
Cow cuddling, ice cream churning and farm tours are among the tactics dairy farmers are employing to compensate for low milk prices.
U.S. farmers are growing less wheat. New varieties could help revive the industry
From the Dakotas to Texas, wheat acres have been on the decline, due to higher temperatures, drought and farmers shifting to more profitable crops.
Cottonseeds are loaded with protein. Could these seeds become a new food source?
Cottonseeds could help reduce hunger and add new revenue for farmers. One researcher has been working for decades to make edible seeds a reality.
Welcome to Morton, Illinois — the bite-sized town that produces a whole lot of canned pumpkin
The pumpkin pie Americans enjoy each Thanksgiving often comes from pumpkins grown near Morton, Illinois.
Americans are drinking less. What does that mean for winemakers in the Heartland?
The American Heartland has experienced a boom in wineries over the last three decades. But with U.S. wine sales trending down since 2019, some producers are feeling the effects more than others.
Farmers caught in Trump’s trade war wait for bailout. But many call it a temporary fix
The Trump administration is promising billions in a bailout for farmers. This harvest season the trade war with China has added to the farm economy’s woes, as producers deal with lower crop prices and high costs.
Multiple Midwest towns are proud to be ‘popcorn capitals.’ But who still grows the crop?
Popcorn festivals and even “popcorn capitals of the world” dot the middle of the country. Yet this ubiquitous snack is grown on fewer than 1,000 farms in the U.S. today.
USDA’s DEI Purge: How Trump and Rollins are reshaping American agriculture
The Trump administration is decrying diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The move is hurting communities and undermining its own goals for agriculture.
Moderate drought expected to persist in Central Illinois despite rain threats
The lack of rain has led to moderate drought for nearly all of McLean County. The far southeastern tip of the county is in severe drought, along with Champaign-Urbana and eastern Illinois.
Why are locally-grown fruits and veggies often more expensive than what’s at the grocery store?
As part of the “Food Routes” series, Harvest Public Media explores three big factors that affect produce prices in the Midwest and Great Plains.
USDA canceled a support program for small businesses. This Midwest grower may lose her farm
Farmers who were promised funding through the federal Regional Food Business Centers have been left in limbo after the Trump administration shut down the program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will honor grants the program already approved, but it’s unclear when.