agriculture

agriculture
Video: How the 'big brown spot' pollutes the Mississippi River

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October 16, 2023
When farm fields are bare, there’s nothing to stop soil, fertilizers and other farm chemicals from washing off into our rivers, lakes and streams. This "big brown spot" in the Midwest is by far the largest source of pollution to the Mississippi. Read more
Map of Midwest with brown over much of the area around the Mississippi River
Minnesota's drought contributes to drinking water crisis downriver

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October 10, 2023
In this Q&A, Matt Rota at Healthy Gulf in Louisiana talks with FMR about the saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River threatening New Orleans' drinking water supply — and already impacting communities farther south. Read more
Army Corps boats construct a sill to prevent saltwater intrusion
Rave reviews for locally made Kernza goods, even amid market growing pains

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September 14, 2023
It takes more than a tasty product to create a market. Learn about how growers, businesses and consumers can work together to support clean-water crops like Kernza. Read more
A recently baked cinnamon apple Kernza muffin is split apart on a plate. A mug can be seen on the table just behind it.
What the Mississippi River needs from the new Farm Bill

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August 14, 2023
The Farm Bill accounts for hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of spending on programs that address nutrition, commodity crop production, farmland conservation, research and more. Read more
A pair of hands examining the roots of a small, green plant that has been pulled from an agricultural field.
How FMR's priorities for the Mississippi River fared in the 2023 session

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May 25, 2023
FMR made progress on every single one of its priorities this legislative session. Here's a roundup of everything that happened. Read more
A collage showing parts of five different photos, all from this legislative session: Two FMR staffers posing with fish postcards in the Capitol; an FMR staffer testifying at a May 1 hearing; A state senator posing with children following a hearing; legislators on a tour at the Forever Green Initiative facilities; printed papers with the FMR logo, shown with the Capitol building in the background.
Where FMR's 2023 priorities stand at the Legislature

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April 14, 2023
An overview of the progress we've made — and what still needs to happen — as we enter the final weeks of the session. Read more
Looking up at the iconic dome of the Capitol building in St. Paul, against a clear blue sky as backdrop. Text over the image says "FMR's priorities #MNLEG"
'State of Our River' event asks how we can protect, restore the Mississippi

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March 28, 2023
Rep. Betty McCollum, lead author on the MRRRI bill, hosted the event. It featured discussions with local experts, including FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark. Read more
Rep. Betty McCollum stands on the lefthand side of the frame, speaking into a microphone. Four panel participants sit at a table behind her. One of them is FMR Executive Director Whitney Clark.

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Upcoming Events

Join us at the annual river gorge Earth Day cleanup
Saturday, April 19, 2025 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
Art and Science on the River: Carp Workshop
Saturday, April 19, 2025 - 10:00am to 12:30pm
MWMO, Northeast Minneapolis riverfront
One Day, One Earth, One Minnesota
April 8 through April 22, 2025
Online

See all Upcoming Events