Agriculture

Experts look for signs of ash borers' spread
Tree inspectors continue to fan out near the Minneapolis-St. Paul border, looking for signs of the emerald ash borer.
Michael Pollan spreads the word about eating food
Journalist and food expert Michael Pollan was often asked for advice about the best things to eat. After a lot of research he came up with a seven word formula: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." Now Pollan is being told his ideas are changing lives.
Raising sheep a family affair on one farm
The most recent agricultural census finds a growing number of women farmers in the U.S. It reports a nearly 30 percent increase in women farmers from 2002 to 2007. And for those women raising sheep, being a wool producer comes at a time when the number of knitters fueling the knitting industry is on the rise.
Wet weather delays spring planting in the Red River Valley
Spring planting is nearly finished across much of Minnesota. But in the soggy Red River Valley, many farmers are still waiting to get into the fields.
Sugar and corn syrup battle for tastebuds
Sugar is making a comeback. In soft drinks and food, some manufacturers are replacing high fructose corn sweetener with sugar.
While there are no known cases of the H1N1 flu virus being transmitted from pigs to people, the pork industry is worried about the reverse. And they're taking extra steps to protect pigs.
Swine flu -- what's in a name?
The disease shows no signs of going away, but the name swine flu seems to be disappearing. Government officials at the state and federal level are now using the technical term for the virus: H1N1.
Pork industry assures customers pork is safe
U.S. pork producers, responding to a swine flu outbreak, said Sunday their product is safe and that consumers cannot catch the virus by eating properly cooked food.
Audit recommends ending ethanol subsidies in Minn.
Minnesota's Legislative Auditor said the state should consider ending its ethanol subsidy. But with the industry suffering a brutal downturn, key lawmakers say there's no way that idea will pass.
A faltering meatpacker in Buffalo Lake is blaming drinking water regulations for his shutdown. But investors and city officials say the company has more serious problems.