Agriculture

Chicken enthusiasts are fighting for their right to keep the birds in backyard coops in many big cities where the practice is illegal. Joel Rose explores the issue and visits with urban chicken owners in Philadelphia.

Food safety for produce like spinach, peanuts and pistachios is ensured by the Food and Drug Administration, which doesn't have a system in place for checking offshore foods. Steve Henn reports.

California farmers are struggling with the after-effects of a three-year drought and the lack of abundant water for their crops. But this could help create a more effective, conservative flow. Jennifer Collins reports.

Large-animal veterinarians are becoming an increasingly rare breed as many animal doctors choose the lucrative, office-friendly route of treating cats and dogs. Joel Rose explores what one state is doing to breed new vets.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez seized control yesterday of a factory owned by U.S. agriculture giant Cargill. The nationalization move was an attempt to control skyrocketing food prices in the country. Dan Grech reports.

The egg-laying chickens of California will get roomier accommodations under Proposition 2, which passed by a wide margin. Sarah Gardner reports on what could be the start of a national animal rights movement.

Ethanol's future as alternative fuel isn't looking so bright right now. Goldman Sachs has abandoned analysis of the industry and the largest publicly traded producer has filed for bankruptcy protection. Steve Henn has more.

China's tainted food has moved further up the global food chain to include animal feed. Over the weekend, Chinese authorities said they're intervening massively to clean it all up. Scott Tong has more from Shanghai.

Besides food scandals, there are lots of issues for Marketplace's Shanghai Bureau Chief Scott Tong to take on. Kai Ryssdal talks to him about reporting on China's complex economy and how the nation is dealing with the global economic crisis.

From the Marketplace mailbox, Kai Ryssdal pulls out some of the letters sent in by listeners. In the selection: comments on calculating the poverty line, food fraud, the financial crisis and the dropping price of oil.