Play3min 21secCrops bounce back for a strong harvestOctober 4, 2006 1:00 AMBy Mark SteilMinnesota's corn and soybean farmers are harvesting decent yields following a year of weather uncertainties. There's was too much rain, then too little. A mid-summer drought nearly ruined the October finish.
Steele County's last butter maker churns it out the old fashioned wayOctober 1, 2006 3:00 PMBy Greta CunninghamSteele County once led the world in butter production. Now, only one butter maker remains.
Play3min 36secHarvest looks healthy despite summer droughtSeptember 28, 2006 8:00 AMMinnesota farmers are reaping an average harvest despite a scorching summer. MPR's Cathy Wurzer discussed this fall's harvest with Doug Holen of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
Play4min 03secOrganic farmers meet special standards to elude E. coliSeptember 22, 2006 12:34 PMCathy Wurzer spoke with Jim Riddle, organic outreach coordinator at the University of Minnesota about special standards that organic farmers have.
Ethanol makers search for cheaper raw materialSeptember 22, 2006 5:00 AMBy Mark SteilThere could be a major change underway in how ethanol is made. Several companies want to start producing the alcohol fuel from plant fiber. Most ethanol now is made from corn. How likely is the transition to what's called cellulose ethanol?
Where the groundwater isSeptember 20, 2006 12:13 PMThis map shows where the major groundwater aquifers are in Minnesota, compared to where the ethanol plants are located.
Farmer benefits from ethanol demandSeptember 20, 2006 11:48 AMBy Sea StachuraCorn farmer Rod Jorgenson is benefitting from the increase in demand for ethanol.
Ethanol vs. water: Can both win?September 18, 2006 5:00 AMBy Sea StachuraIn Minnesota, ethanol is a favorite among alternative energy advocates. But some scientists say it is a drain on Minnesota's water resources.
Minnesota researcher helps fight an invasion of mitesSeptember 18, 2006 12:00 AMLife as a beekeeper has been challenging in recent years. Beekeepers are battling the varroa mite. The creature, about the size of head of a pin, has infested bee colonies all over the world.