Agriculture

7th District voters choosing between ag clout and President Trump
Political pundits on the national level say 7th District U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson is facing the toughest election challenge of his 30 years in Congress. His challenger, former state Sen. Michelle Fischbach, is touting her support from President Donald Trump as she tries to defeat Peterson in the increasingly red district.
As biotech crops lose their power, scientists push for new restrictions
Some of the first GMOs – corn and cotton plants that have been genetically modified to fend off insects – are running into problems. Bugs have become resistant to them because they've been overused.
Crews vacuum invasive 'murder hornets' out of Washington nest
Washington state crews wearing thick protective suits vacuumed the invasive hornets from the cavity of a tree into large canisters Saturday. Officials suspect more nests may be in the area and will keep searching.
August's Iowa derecho was most costly thunderstorm event in modern U.S. history
The powerful derecho that swept through the Midwest in August, focusing its destruction on central Iowa, is officially the most costly thunderstorm event in recorded U.S. history with at least $7.5 billion in damage.
Foiled again: 'Murder hornet' eludes Washington state scientists
An Asian giant hornet fell off researchers' radar during their latest attempt to find its nest. The team is racing to exterminate the invasive species before it devastates U.S. bee populations.
Berries, pears and pawpaws: SW Minn. food forest takes root
The food forest’s organizers are hoping their work will help local families learn more about what’s in their backyards — and protect the environment by planting native species that are also tasty for supper.
Giant pumpkin gourds Minnesota's records books
On Saturday, Charlie Bernstrom, of Lancaster, Minn. broke the Minnesota state record for largest pumpkin with a 1,990.5 pound pumpkin at the 15th Annual Stillwater Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. 
Prompted by pandemic, digital markets connect small farms to consumers
The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way many small farms market their produce. One experiment in online marketing started slowly a couple of years ago, but this year it's boosted income for small farmers.
In western Minnesota water dispute, it's elite hogs vs. rare fen
A proposed hog farm in northwest Minnesota is at the center of a fight over its environmental assessment. At issue is the protection of a rare type of wetland, and complaints that a state agency is violating Minnesota environmental review law.