In the flooded farm belt, a race against the clock for planting

Jun 7, 2019
Growers are racing to plant corn, soybeans and wheat before it's too late.
Water pools in rain-soaked farm fields on May 29 near Gardner, Illinois.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Rising demand for plant protein feeds growth of the humble pea

May 1, 2019
The versatile legume can be found in pasta, milk, pet food and the “Beyond Burger.”
Ryan Klassen inspects pea seeds on his farm in Belgrade, Minnesota. Those peas are the base of the protein being used in a range of products, including energy bars, cereals and milks.
Renata Sago/Marketplace

Rookie farmers in California are turning to nonprofit groups to boost their business savvy

Jan 29, 2019
“Beginning” farmers operate a quarter of U.S. farms, according to the USDA.
YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / Getty Images

Pacific Rim nations ring in new year with a trade deal shutting out U.S. farmers

Jan 2, 2019
As of this week, there are some tariffs around the world that are falling. Six Pacific Rim nations, including Japan, Australia and Mexico, are lowering tariffs for a number of products and services, with five other countries set to join in once their governments formally ratify the deal. Notably absent from the party? The United […]
RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

In the age of climate change, farmers weigh their options for the future

Dec 27, 2018
National climate change report says the business of farming could dramatically change if global warming isn’t addressed.
A pasture of pure blue stem prairie grass, never touched by a plow during the 150 years the Teske family has owned this piece of northeast Kansas.
Peggy Lowe for Marketplace

Trade war means more donations to food banks

Nov 22, 2018
To blunt the pain of tariffs, the government is buying more than $1 billion in surplus food. Much of that will go to food banks.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Talkin' trade war at the Minnesota State Fair

Aug 29, 2018
Nearly two million people visit the 12-day Minnesota State Fair every year. Visitors can take in live music, eat a lot of fried food and sweets, hop on carnival rides, and take in exhibits that celebrate the state’s agriculture industry. The fair is also a place for citizens to meet with their elected officials to discuss the big issues of the day, like a trade war.
A Ferris Wheel turns as people check out John Deere tractors on Machinery Hill at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018.
Evan Frost | MPR News

For public good, not for profit.

Trump administration details aid for farmers hurt by tariffs

Aug 27, 2018
The Trump administration announced details today of a $12 billion aid package for farmers hurt by the trade war. Retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and other countries have hit soybean producers especially hard, with prices falling about $2 a bushel this summer. The aid package includes help for soybean, wheat and corn farmers, and dairy […]
Farmer Terry Davidson walks through his soy fields July 6, 2018, in Harvard, Illinois.
NOVA SAFO/AFP/Getty Images

The USDA is buying milk and giving it to food banks

Aug 17, 2018
The program is hoping to help the needy – including America's dairy farmers.
Oatly, the Swedish maker of oat milk, will start selling shares to the public on Thursday, in an offering expected to value the company at $10 billion. The market for milk substitutes has been growing rapidly, with Nestle just releasing its own version made from peas.
PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images

Trump's trade announcements barely ease treacherous path farmers face

Jul 26, 2018
Plans to negotiate with the European Union and aid plan fall short for farmers.
Soybeans loading onto a truck on their way to a grain elevator in Dwight, Illinois. U.S. soybean futures plunged when China announced retaliatory tariffs on them in June.
Scott Olson/Getty Images