Public News Service

According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, the Justice 40 Initiative's policy plan includes increasing job energy resiliency and energy democracy and decreasing environmental exposure for disadvantaged communities. (Adobe Stock)

USDA funding to ease application process for clean energy projects

Indiana will soon get a dedicated person to help farmers, ranchers and other landowners apply for federal grants to help fight pollution and climate …

In today's economy, new research suggests families making less than $75,000 annually may sometimes struggle to feed their families. (Adobe stock)

Research: Tech Opportunities Could Reduce IN Food Insecurity

New research by an Indiana nonprofit coalition reveals areas for innovation which could help minimize food insecurity. The report showed technology …

Small "Super" Device Could Hold Key to Better Soil, Water

INDIANAPOLIS -- A state-of-the-art tool is helping researchers in Indiana better understand the effectiveness of soil-conservation practices…

More frequent heavy rainfalls are posing challenges for growers in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Alliance Encourages Indiana Farmers to Fight Climate Impacts

INDIANAPOLIS - More than half of Indiana's land is used for agriculture, and there's a new effort to keep those lands resilient to the effects of …

Rye is a popular cover crop in Indiana. (AdobeStock)

Improved Tool Can Help Hoosier Farmers Develop Cover-Crop Strategy

INDIANAPOLIS -- Harvest season is getting into full swing in Indiana, and many farmers are already thinking about how to prep their land for next …

A pollinator-friendly solar farm provides acres of healthy food for bees as well as creating clean energy. (Fresh Energy)

Beekeepers Convene in Indy: Can Solar Power Save the Species?

INDIANAPOLIS -- There was a loud buzz over bees in Indiana this weekend, as more than 1,200 beekeepers gathered in Indianapolis to learn the latest …

Soybeans can be planted over a cereal rye cover crop. (Bmargaret/Adobe Stock)

Indiana Continues to Grow Cover Crop Acreage

INDIANAPOLIS – A farming practice that could make land more sustainable in the future appears to be growing in popularity in Indiana. Cover …

Wells Street Beach in Gary is one of many affected by erosion linked to climate change. (takingactioningary/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Great Lakes States to See More Floods Linked to Climate Change

INDIANAPOLIS — Bigger, more frequent storms. More floods. Many millions in financial losses. Massive environmental shifts. Climate change …

A panel is taking public testimony to determine if legislation is needed to regulate factory farms. (usda.gov)

Public Hearing Tackles Factory Farms

INDIANAPOLIS — The question of what to do about runoff from concentrated animal-feeding operations, known as CAFOs, continues to be a topic of …

Drug-resistant bacteria is enabled by the misuse of antibiotics. (usda.gov)

Antibiotic Scorecard Rates Food Chains

INDIANAPOLIS – A new nationwide report ranks the top 25 restaurant chains for their antibiotics policies and practices. At issue is the …

Much of the corn grown in Indiana is used for grain, but popcorn also is a top commodity. (usda.gov)

Corn Crops Being Monitored by Robots

INDIANAPOLIS – Severe weather brought on by climate change is threatening crops in Indiana and across the U.S., and a study is underway at the …

Small farmers say mega-mergers in the agriculture industry hurt them. (momsacrossamerica.org)

A Call for Oversight for Ag Mega-Mergers

INDIANAPOLIS – Nearly 325 organizations have signed a letter pressing new U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to make sure the Justice …

Hikers along the Knobstone Trail and others are finding areas that have been logged and clear cut. (Indiana Forest Alliance)

Hikers Question Logging in Hoosier Forests

INDIANAPOLIS – Logging in state forests in Indiana has been stepped up, and that's not sitting well with hikers. The state ranks ninth in the …

Hoosier farmers say they should be included in the debate over NAFTA and immigration. (in.gov)

Farmers Want a Say on NAFTA and Immigration Debate

INDIANAPOLIS – Agriculture and trade groups are voicing their concerns over President Donald Trump's stance on immigration and his threats to wi…

An inventory of Indiana's older forests already has identified more than 1,250 species, with hundreds more still being tallied. (Indiana Forest Alliance)

Is Logging Liquidating Biodiversity in Indiana Forests?

INDIANAPOLIS - Scientists have spent the past few years in some of Indiana's older forests, trying to inventory flora, fauna and wildlife before the …

A scorecard has been released looking at how much organic produce major retailers offer, and most of them failed. (V. Carter)

Report: Not Enough Organic Produce Offered in Most Stores

INDIANAPOLIS – Bees and other pollinators are responsible for one of every three bites of food we eat, but 40 percent of all pollinating …

A new study indicates more retailers are selling plants that are bee-friendly, allowing home gardeners to plant flowers that aren't toxic to honeybees. (Kapa65/Pixabay)

Study: Retailers Switching to "Bee-Friendly" Plants

INDIANAPOLIS — New tests found significant decreases in the use of bee-killing pesticides on "bee-friendly" plants. That’s good news for …

Beekeepers in Indiana are being encouraged to use queen bees that have been bred to resist mites. (Bee Informed)

Report: Pesticides and Mites Threatening Nation's Bees

LAFONTAINE, Ind. - U.S. beekeepers have reported losing nearly 44 percent of their colonies over the last year, according to an annual report put …

Two Indiana universities are working to keep fertilizers from ending up in local waterways, and have gotten recognition for their research from the White House. (in.gov)

Researchers: Mother Nature Knows Best

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A new program aimed at improving water quality in the nation's heartland by using watershed-scale conservation to reduce …

Work will begin in the spring to restore habitat around Lake George in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. (Save the Dunes)

Protecting Indiana's Biggest Natural Resource

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is the state's biggest tourist attraction…

Indiana corn growers are taking a hit this year after rains dampened the planting season. Credit: butkovicdub/Morguefile.

Another Report Highlights Dismal Corn Season in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - The sun is not shining on Indiana's corn growers this summer. This week, the Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour estimated corn yields across …

The new Indiana Grown initiative highlights food that comes from Indiana farms in order to connect local consumers and businesses to local producers. Credit: Natalie Maynor/Flickr

Indiana Grown: Getting Fresh, Local Foods to Indiana Tables

INDIANAPOLIS – Whether its chicken and pork or corn and strawberries, the list of foods produced in Indiana is extensive. And the new Indiana …

PHOTO: With warm temperatures and plenty of sunlight, summer is prime time for the spread of blue-green algae that can threaten the health of Indiana's lakes and reservoirs. Photo credit: Willem van Aken, CSIRO/Wikimedia.

Groups Suggest Policies to Address Blue-Green Algae

INDIANAPOLIS – With summer getting underway, experts say blue-green algae fueled by nutrient pollution are certain to return to lakes and …

PHOTO: The Indiana Senate on Tuesday failed to advance a resolution that would have embedded a so-called right to farm in the state Constitution. Opponents argued SJR 12 would have given agribusiness protection from regulations. Photo credit: jackske/Morguefile.

Right-to-Farm Resolution Defeated in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - It was presented as a right to farm, but opponents of Senate Joint Resolution 12 in Indiana say it would have created a constitutional …

PHOTO: Workers in Indiana can help report cruelty and the abuse of farm animals with a new national tip line. Photo credit: Farm Sanctuary/Flickr.

Reward Money to Speak Out Against Farm Animal Abuse

INDIANAPOLIS - Whistleblowers in Indiana could earn a reward of up to $5,000 if their tip leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the…

PHOTO: Changes to USDA loan programs have increased their flexibility, and could help more beginning farmers develop their faming business and grow a profit. Photo credit: Ron Nichols/NRCS.

Indiana's Small Farmers Can Benefit from Changes in Federal Loan Program

INDIANAPOLIS - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is improving farm loans by expanding eligibility and lending limits to more beginning …

PHOTO: The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation effort that encourages farmers to address resource concerns in new and innovative ways. Those farmers whose contracts are up this year must renew by Sept. 12 to continue with the program. Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Farmers: Enrolled in CSP? Big Deadline Ahead

INDIANAPOLIS - Time is running out for some Indiana farmers who want to continue receiving federal assistance to improve soil, water, air and habitat …

PHOTO: Hundreds will gather this weekend in Indianapolis for the March Against Monsanto, an annual worldwide event to draw attention to the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Photo credit: Angie Capretti.

Hoosiers to Protest GMO Practices of Agriculture Giant

INDIANAPOLIS – Some Hoosiers will be joining other demonstrators around the world Saturday to protest the practices of an agriculture giant…

PHOTO: Purdue professor Cary Mitchell and other researchers developed a technique that could allow some crops to be grown in caves or mines. Photo courtesy of Purdue University.

Corn Grown in Caves: The Future of Farming?

INDIANAPOLIS – Forget the field – caves and mines could hold the future of farming. Researchers from Purdue University have discovered …

PHOTO: While some Hoosiers voice concerns over health matters, those in favor of ordinances allowing backyard chickens say the birds are a sustainable food source and just as clean as any other pet. Photo credit: Jason Webber.

Backyard Chickens Growing in Popularity in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS – Raising chickens in the city is becoming increasingly popular as more Hoosiers move toward eating locally. Goshen officials …

PHOTO: A hearing will be held today on Senate Bill 101, which could make felons out of whistleblowers exposing unethical or illegal activities on industrial farms. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Schatzmann.

“Ag-Gag” Legislation Back in Play in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS - So-called "Ag-gag" legislation is once again on the table at the Indiana State House. A hearing will be held today on Senate Bill 101…

PHOTO: The state's largest gathering of environmental advocates will be held at the statehouse with the focus on agriculture and the impact on the environment and public health. Photo courtesy of Scott Bauer.

Greening the Statehouse Gathering in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS – Environmentalists will gather in Indianapolis Saturday for what’s billed as Greening of the Statehouse, a day of learning …

PHOTO: Farmers across Minnesota and the rest of the nation are watching closely as lawmakers in Washington, D.C., work on the 2012 Farm Bill. Photo courtesy Center for Rural Affairs.

Will Rural Development Programs Get the Ax in New Farm Bill?

INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosier farmers are watching what happens in Congress, as one of the major pieces of unfinished business there is approval of a new …

Christmas Tree Decision 2011 and Benefits of Going Real

INDIANAPOLIS - Many Hoosiers will be making the big decision over the Thanksgiving weekend: whether to buy an artificial or real Christmas tree –…

More Elbow Room for Indiana Chickens?

INDIANAPOLIS - When it comes to the age-old question: "Which came first; the chicken or the egg?", two national groups are pulling for the chicken…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - April 23, 2024

2024Talks - April 23, 2024

The Yonder Report - April 18, 2024

IN: Sustainable Agriculture and Farming