Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

Agriculture

Tiny insects cause big trouble

The pest-of-the-summer for Minnesota farmers is the soybean aphid. They're not big, but one acre of soybeans may contain more than 100 million aphids.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The politics of farming

Farmers from across Minnesota are in Redwood County for Farmfest. Four members of Minnesota's congressional delegation held a forum to discuss provisions of last year's Farm Bill. One of the issues that popped up was mandatory meat labeling.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Enthusiasts: The sheep shearer

Doug Rathke turned his enthusiasm into a living. Doug Rathke shears sheep for a living and competes in sheering competitions around the country and abroad. In the latest edition of our series, The Enthusiasts, Minnesota Public Radio's Steve Nelson pays a visit to Doug Rathke's farm near Hutchinson and meets Rathke, his sheep, and his electric clippers in a big white sheering barn.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Albert Lea loses out on pork plant

Albert Lea has lost its bid for a $130-million pork processing plant. Instead, the facility, and as many as 2,000 new jobs, will go to St. Joseph, Missouri.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Farmers sue executives over sale of corn plant to ADM

A group of Midwest farmers has filed a class action lawsuit over the sale of their corn-processing plant to the agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland. The lawsuit claims ADM paid the corn plant's CEO and other executives millions of dollars in return for a deal that shortchanged farmers.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Ranchers seek grassroots support for mandatory labeling law

A coalition of grassroots organizations have launched a campaign to gain support for country-of-origin labeling laws. The groups have targeted county commissions in seven states to sign a resolution supporting country of origin labeling.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Healthier eggs a new niche for farmers

When the American Heart Association told consumers eggs were high in cholesterol, consumption plummeted. But now, there's a new egg on the market. An egg enhanced with Omega Three fatty acid can actually help reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol. Minnesota has nearly 11 million hens. It's the 8th highest egg-producing state in the country. Farmers who got out of the egg business now may see a reason to get back in.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A new approach to farming

Earthwise is a farmer-owned company that is taking a new approach to agriculture.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Life and debt on a dairy farm

Over the past 30 years, the number of dairy farms in Minnesota has dropped by 84 percent. Last year, the state's dairy production hit its lowest level in 50 years. But despite the poor economic outlook, some farm families are making a living -- while living the life they want.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A new type of corn

They've been mocked as "franken-food." But far from stumbling, genetically-modified crops dominate the corn and soybean market.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!