Agriculture

Black farmers have long faced discrimination. New aid aims to right past wrongs
Generations of systemic discrimination have decimated the number of Black farmers in the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talked with NPR about provisions in the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that are meant to help Black farmers.
New evidence shows fertile soil gone from Midwestern farms
One-third of the cropland in the upper Midwest has entirely lost its fertile topsoil, according to a new study. Other scientists doubt that figure, but agree that soil loss is a big problem.
Minnesota hemp industry still trying to catch fire
It's been a bumpy ride for the nascent hemp industry in Minnesota, with changing regulations and falling prices. But industry leaders still expect a bright future as an alternative crop for Minnesota farmers.
Corporations nudge farmers to help the environment
Cargill and General Mills are offering incentives to farmers who adopt the principles of regenerative agriculture. It's a set of farming practices that make growing food more environmentally friendly. And as interest grows, so does the debate over how to define and measure the new system.
In Minnesota, a growing interest in reviving the local butcher shop
Temporary food supply disruptions prompted by the coronavirus pandemic have led more consumers to look for direct connections with farmers. It’s put a spotlight on a problem that's been developing for years in Minnesota: a shortage of the small meat processing operations that are a key link between farmers and consumers.