Agriculture

Speaking in Minnesota, former EPA leader says clashes between farm groups and environmentalists are unnecessary
Michael Regan was the EPA administrator under President Biden, who signed legislation encouraging private and public investment in clean energy.
Brazilian farmers beef up soybean production as China halts business with U.S. during trade fight
Brazilian farmers are increasing soybean production as the U.S. and China engage in a trade fight. The conflict has shut American soybeans out of the Chinese market, leading China to seek more Brazilian supply. China’s customs body reported no U.S. soybean imports in September, a first since November 2018. 
How the craft flour movement could be a boon to farmers and Indian Country
As U.S. wheat farmers face painful losses in the global market due to President Trump's policies, one domestic flour mill on a reservation in Oregon is expanding its production twelvefold.
USDA is reopening some 2,100 offices to help farmers access $3B in aid despite the ongoing shutdown
The Agriculture Department will reopen about 2,100 county offices all across the country Thursday despite the ongoing government shutdown to help farmers and ranchers get access to $3 billion of aid from existing programs.
Ag loan defaults are climbing in Minnesota. The programs meant to help are under strain
Trade wars, low commodity prices and rising costs are pushing farmers’ credit to the limit. A growing number of Minnesota farmers are defaulting on their bank loans, according to a program that helps them.
Good gourd! These Midwesterners are raising giant pumpkins that weigh as much as a car
Giant pumpkins can top the scales at more than 2,000 pounds — and caring for these behemoths is often a full-time job. But for some growers in the central U.S., the dream of raising a world record-setting pumpkin is a tantalizing prospect.