Self-inflicted brain drain at USDA threatens farm economy
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: how the Midwest kills fish in the Gulf of Mexico
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
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. >>
Downstream damage
The Mississippi River Delta as seen from the International Space Station this April shows the result of widespread flooding: sediment washed downstream and into the water along the coastline, which may lead to another near-record dead zone. (Image ISS059-E-36323 courtesy of the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center.)
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. >>
Wall Street Journal: The world’s appetite is threatening the Mississippi River
Early this month, the Wall Street Journal published a fascinating overview of the agricultural runoff challenges facing the length of the Mississippi River. And satellite images of the Upper Midwest in the Washington Post illustrate how this wet spring spells trouble for farmers and for the river. >>
Rain, rain, go away: river flooding continues
Tired of all of the rainstorms yet? This year has been a historically wet and flood-prone year, impacting cities, towns and farms across the Midwest. In this news roundup, find out what's happening and why it matters. >>
Welcome, Peter — our new agricultural policy manager
Bringing a decade of experience in environmental advocacy and campaign management, Peter LaFontaine will coordinate our agricultural clean-water advocacy efforts in our newest position at FMR. >>
It's a wrap. How FMR’s priorities fared in the 2019 session
The 2019 Legislative Session kicked on in January with Governor Walz presiding over the only divided state legislature in the nation.
This led to some core disagreements, missed deadlines and an assorted bag of victories and compromises for Minnesota's environment and the Mississippi River.
Here’s a brief summary of the major items we were tracking, and how each turned out. >>
Action Alert - Say ‘no’ to environmental cuts, raids and rollbacks in SF2314 [CLOSED]
With less than two weeks to go, legislators are meeting to craft a final environment budget & policy bill. Please act today to tell your legislators: “No cuts, rollbacks and raids in the omnibus environment bill!” >>
Action Alert - Fully fund Forever Green [CLOSED]
With just two weeks left in the legislative session, the Minnesota House has proposed full funding for the Forever Green Initiative but the Senate has not. Act today to support FMR's top legislative priority: Full funding Forever Green to protect the Mississippi River and support Minnesota's rural communities. >>