Agriculture

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.
Americans are drinking less. What does that mean for winemakers in the Heartland?
The American Heartland has experienced a boom in wineries over the last three decades. But with U.S. wine sales trending down since 2019, some producers are feeling the effects more than others.