Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now

Agriculture

Concern about crops sprouts amid extreme drought, heat

Concern about crops sprouts amid extreme drought, heat

Extreme drought and sweltering heat are sowing trouble for Minnesota corn crops and backyard gardens alike. Nick Peterson, a member of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association Board of Directors and a farmer in Clear Lake, says it’s been a “trying summer” due to the complicated conditions.
by Phil Picardi and Gracie Stockton

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!
What Russia's Black Sea grain blockade could mean for Minnesota

What Russia's Black Sea grain blockade could mean for Minnesota

Russia’s decision to pull out of the agreement to let Ukrainian grain shipments pass through the Black Sea could have ripple effects for Minnesota agribusiness firms such as Cargill, farmers and the East African community.
by Emily Bright and Megan Burks

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!
'On the edge': Minnesota farmers, gardeners, cities wait to see if rain will curb worsening drought

'On the edge': Minnesota farmers, gardeners, cities wait to see if rain will curb worsening drought

Widespread rain expected soon could spare the region from seeing the most serious effects of drought. But a continued dry pattern could quickly make things worse for farmers and gardeners.
by Peter Cox

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!
Droughts, wildfire smoke clouds outlook for agriculture - and concern for farmers’ health

Droughts, wildfire smoke clouds outlook for agriculture - and concern for farmers’ health

The increasing drought and smoke from Canadian wildfires are adding to Minnesota farmers’ challenges this summer. But there’s a debate over whether the smoke may actually help as it shields already drought-stressed crops.
by Hannah Yang

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!
It's hot. For farmworkers without federal heat protections, it could be life or death

It's hot. For farmworkers without federal heat protections, it could be life or death

Amid extreme heat, there are few federal protections for workers during hot temperatures. The Biden administration wants to change that but the rule making process is long and the heat won't wait.
by Ximena Bustillo and Andrea Hsu

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!
Honeybee deaths rose last year. Here's why farmers would go bust without bees

Honeybee deaths rose last year. Here's why farmers would go bust without bees

Beekeepers lost nearly half of their honeybee colonies last year. Without bees, farmers can't grow the fruits and plants that feed us. So farmers are working harder to get their crops pollinated.
by Allison Aubrey

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!
Officials express 'cautious optimism' Windom plant will soon reopen

Officials express 'cautious optimism' Windom plant will soon reopen

State officials say the new owners are assessing the shuttered HyLife plant and weighing equipment upgrades. Minnesota’s agriculture commissioner says the plant, which employed more than 1,000 people before closing on June 2, could reopen within months.
by Hannah Yang

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!
Minnesota, Wisconsin dairy farmers face oversaturated market, temporarily cut-off sewer service

Minnesota, Wisconsin dairy farmers face oversaturated market, temporarily cut-off sewer service

Dairy farmers around the region are facing an oversaturated market. It’s been made worse for some farmers in the region when the Metropolitan Council temporarily cut off sewer service to the Hastings Creamery.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alanna Elder

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!
Honey bee losses continue to plague beekeepers

Honey bee losses continue to plague beekeepers

An annual survey of beekeepers shows higher than average honey bee losses over the past year despite beekeepers taking more steps to keep their bees healthy.
by Dan Gunderson

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!
Expanding drought conditions stressing crops in parts of Minnesota

Expanding drought conditions stressing crops in parts of Minnesota

Drought has been a recurring foe for Minnesota farmers over the past few years. But this growing season, the problem has started abnormally early in parts of the state.
by Olivia Stevens

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!