agriculture

"Workhorse" Minnesota River needs our help

by Peter LaFontaine

September 3, 2019

The Star Tribune recently highlighted the state's $360 million plan to turn things around for the Minnesota River and cut the river's sediment levels in half. Will it be enough? >>

by Trevor Russell

August 16, 2019

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently released a series of reports, studies and plans addressing water contamination in the Minnesota River, the biggest tributary to the Mississippi in our state. It looks like the river is in need of some big changes if we're to meet our state's water quality goals. >>

Attack of the killer... algae?

by Peter LaFontaine

August 9, 2019

A destructive storm can have a silver lining; Hurricane Barry seems to have lessened the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone. But this year's algae blooms are still hurting Minnesota's waterways. >>

NPR: As climate changes, taxpayers will shoulder larger U.S. payouts to farmers

by Trevor Russell

August 9, 2019

A recent National Public Radio story highlighted the risks that climate change may pose to both farm operations and Americans' pocketbooks in the years to come. >>

Self-inflicted brain drain at USDA threatens farm economy

by Peter LaFontaine

July 25, 2019

Leaders at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are plowing forward with the relocation of two major research agencies, a move that threatens to push out hundreds of career staffers and undermine scientific inquiry. The country can't afford this setback at a time when the farm economy is threatened from all sides and clear analysis of these threats is paramount. >>

Downstream damage in 2019: how the Midwest kills fish in the Gulf of Mexico

by Peter LaFontaine

July 19, 2019

Scientists predict the formation of an enormous dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico this summer, and some of the blame lies right here in Minnesota. Find out what links us to an ocean half a continent away, and how we can help. >>

MN's groundbreaking Groundwater Protection Rule goes into effect

by Trevor Russell

July 15, 2019

After decades of delay, Minnesota’s Groundwater Protection Rule aims to protect public health by addressing fertilizer contamination in groundwater. This is the first time our state has exercised its regulatory authority over cropland agriculture to protect water quality. >>