Agriculture

Gas prices and inflation take a toll on small Minnesota farms
Angela Dawson is a fourth-generation farmer in Sandstone, Minn. and co-founder and president of 40 Acre Cooperative. She joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more about the impact.
‘It’s pretty devastating’: Turkey farmer hopes worst is over after avian flu loss
During the last avian flu outbreak seven years ago, the central Minnesota turkey farms owned by Matt Herdering's family managed to escape unscathed. This time around, they weren't so lucky.
How Minnesota’s farmers handle extreme weather, inflation and supply chain woes
Rising costs, supply chain trouble and extreme weather are causing problems for farmers. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Minnesota’s agriculture commissioner about the state of farming.
Hydroponics: The latest fad in food or the future of agriculture?
Hydroponics is seeing a rebirth -- and with fresh urgency as food shortages and the effects of climate change intensify. Micah Helle, hydroponic farm manager for Pillsbury United Communities, joined host Tom Crann to share more.
Des Moines tries cooperation to reduce farm runoff
A Des Moines utility has for years engaged in a bitter struggle to clean up drinking water that comes from rivers teeming with agricultural pollutants, filing lawsuits, proposing legislation and even public shaming to try to force farmers to reduce runoff from their fields.
As avian flu cases slow, farmers struggle with mental stress
New cases of avian influenza in Minnesota commercial flocks have slowed in recent weeks, suggesting the worst may be over. But the unpredictability of this year’s outbreak has caused a lot of mental strain for farmers, their families, veterinarians and others in the poultry industry.