Sustainable Agriculture / Public News Service

Nutrient management planning has been around for more than 30 years, traditionally developed for farmers by private sector farm co-ops and agronomists. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

WI farmer education collab helps save money, environment

A joint effort is helping Wisconsin farmers protect water quality in their communities by learning more about how to prevent manure and fertilizer spi…

In Fiscal Year 2024, Ohio's state-funded food programs created or sustained 292 jobs, supported $11.3 million in income and generated $38.4 million in economic output. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Ohio foodbanks: Funding needed for fresh food with local roots

Ohio food banks are urging state lawmakers to approve what they said is a modest budget increase needed to get more fresh, local produce into the …

Christina Eastman, a fifth-generation farmer who is a co-founder of Farmers Against Foster Farms. Her farm is located next to a proposed CAFO site which has now been blocked. (Kendra Kimbirauskas)

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

OR farmers block construction of new factory farm

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient Climate.Broadcast version by Isobel Charle for Oregon News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

Most U.S. states have CAFOs, typically ranging from 100 to 1,000 animals, although a few have fewer than 10. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 16, 2025

CAFO v. factory farm: What’s the difference?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Missouri News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

Ohio has more than 74,500 farms, about half of which have livestock and the industry provides one of seven jobs in the state, according to the Ohio Livestock Association. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 16, 2025

OH farmers consider adopting 'regenerative agriculture' practices

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboratio…

California law bans unnecessary animal suffering but enforcement is rare in large-scale factory farms.(Adobe Stock)

Cal student faces prison for rescuing chickens

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

A single Abercrombie dairy facility will house 12,500 cows. Combined with the planned 25,000-cow Herberg site, these two operations will generate manure equivalent to that of a city of 1.5 million. (Adobe Stock)

ND mega-dairies draw criticism at Winnipeg news conference

North Dakota is facing growing opposition to two massive dairy operations planned near the Red River. Environmental advocates say the projects could …

More than 25 food policy councils operate across Ohio, working at local and regional levels to improve food access, public health and local agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Third Ohio city joins global pact to strengthen food systems

The city of Cleveland, Ohio, has joined a global pact to improve urban food systems. Officials say the step builds on efforts to assess food access …

The U.S. biogas industry grew quickly in 2023, adding 96 new projects, reaching a total of more than 2,251 active sites. (Wolfgang Jargstorff/Adobe Stock)

Battle brews in Michigan over methane deregulation bills

More than 20 groups are urging Michigan lawmakers to reject two bills they say would turn the state's farmland and rural towns into dumping grounds fo…

TX family transitions from growing chickens to growing hemp

An east Texas farming family is reaping the benefits after transitioning from industrial chicken farming to growing hemp. For 30 years, the Halley …

More than two-thirds of producers surveyed by the National Wildlife Federation believe allocating federal funds specifically to support farmers in adopting climate-smart agriculture practices is a worthwhile investment. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

PA farmers back boost in long-term funding for conservation programs

A recent poll from the National Wildlife Federation showed Pennsylvania farmers and ranchers benefit from voluntary conservation programs from the U.S…

The district level mapping tool shows how farmers and ranchers in every state have benefited from the voluntary Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. (kegfire/Adobe Stock)

AR farmers, ranchers tout benefits of federal conservation programs

A new poll shows Arkansas farmers and ranchers believe they benefit from voluntary conservation programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture…

The Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return Initiative compared and evaluated 22 on-farm interventions, 12 of which were nature-based and 10 tech-based, and found the nature-based solutions provided superior results. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Investment group touts nature-based agriculture solutions to climate change

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Arkansas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborati…

A National Wildlife Federation poll showed Texas producers support increased funding for a voluntary, incentive-based program to help farmers and ranchers conserve grasslands. (cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

TX farmers and ranchers benefit from federal conservation funds

A recent poll by the National Wildlife Federation showed Texas farmers and ranchers benefit from voluntary conservation programs from the U.S…

$According to reporting from Sentient, a tiny fraction of farmland is for organic production but because demand is high for those types of goods, there is concern the amount of land use required for organic farming could further harm the environment. (Adobe Stock)$

Is organic food more sustainable? It’s complicated

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborati…

New Mexico's snowpack is significantly below normal for this time of year, with levels at 36% across the state. (Photo courtesy Isabelle Jenniches)

NM groups work to improve soil health, mitigate effects of changing climate

New Mexico's decades-long drought combined with climate change have more farmers and ranchers embracing the six healthy soil principles, tailoring …

The National Wildlife Federation said managed grazing is one of the top conservation practices used by South Dakota farmers and ranchers. (Adobe Stock)

Poll, online map show conservation is 'big win' for SD farmers

A new mapping tool shows South Dakota is a big player on the farm conservation scene. The online feature coincides with a new poll, revealing most …

The Agriculture Enterprise Area Program, under the Farmland Preservation program, offers additional financial incentives for communities who commit to keeping land in agriculture use for a specified period. (Adobe Stock)

WI ag conservation program yields farmers' savings

Wisconsin's investment in preserving its agricultural land is offering some solace to farmers and landowners while helping them save money amid a clim…

A key factor for producers is whether the Trump administration's Department of Agriculture will provide financial relief to farmers as the Department did during President Donald Trump's first term. (Branex/Adobe Stock)

Tennessee farmers, consumers expected to feel Trump's tariffs

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

Ohio's tomato growers harvest more than 300,000 tons annually. It is a crop heavily dependent on preserved genetic traits for disease resistance and shelf life. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio crops at risk as federal cuts disrupt seed preservation

A little-known federal program has quietly safeguarded the crops feeding the nation, including key Ohio staples like soybeans, tomatoes, corn and …

Global food security depends on work done by the National Plant Germplasm System. Its scientists and funding are on the DOGE chopping block. (s1llu/Adobe Stock/AI enhanced)

Crops at risk in VA, U.S. as Trump fires seed bunker employees

Working without fanfare, federal scientists at 22 U.S. sites maintain the nation's agricultural plant species collected since 1898. But the Trump …

From 2021 to 2022, the Department of Energy tripled its funding for agrivoltaics, including $8 million for a new program studying how solar panels can benefit farmers and rural areas. (pkproject/Adobe Stock)

Michigan State University study: Crops and solar panels can coexist

Results of a new study from Michigan State University suggest farmers no longer have to choose between growing crops and harnessing solar power…

With funding from Congress, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System is new a wholesale provider of <br />cleaner water to 20 member cities and rural water systems in three states, including South Dakota. Local leaders said it is a good example of effective federal investments. (Photo courtesy of MN DOH)

SD communities say federal aid isn't 'waste' to them

CORRECTION: This web-version of the story initially listed Rep. Dusty Johnson as "Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-N.D." It has since been corrected to reflect …

Soybeans provide more protein per acre than any other major crop, producing about seven times more protein than beef cattle grazing on the same land area, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Pixabay)

MS soybean trials test varieties despite trade uncertainty

Mississippi State University Extension launched its annual soybean variety trials last week. It is a way to evaluate crop performance as farmers …

Conservation voices said when European settlers first arrived in South Dakota, 96% of the state was grassland but today only around 50% of the original native grasslands remain. (Adobe Stock)

SD grassland enthusiasts hope for a native plant rebirth

April is National Native Plant Month, an observance at the core of South Dakota's identity. People wanting to protect the state's beloved grasslands …

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, 41% of Wyoming's farmers are women. (Adobe Stock)

Beginning farmers in WY could get a boost from Congress

More than one quarter of Wyoming's farmers started producing in the past ten years and are considered beginners by the U.S. Department of Agriculture…

Iowa produced 2.5 billion bushels of corn in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa farmers question need for treated seeds

By Lisa Held for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service C…

">

MAHA movement aims to reverse American farming policy

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabo…

Potatoes are one of 200 crops pivotal to the U.S. food system. DOGE has made cuts to the U.S. agency that maintains the crops' genetics and seed supply. (Adobe Stock)

DOGE cuts funding to seed banks, threatens WY. food security

Federal scientists at 22 U.S. sites maintain the nation's agricultural seed stores collected since 1898 but the Trump administration's DOGE agency …

The Honor Farmer Contracts Act would require the USDA to give a 60-day notice of any agency closures. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., is among those who introduced the bill last month. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed bill aims to pay farmers back for disrupted grants

A Wisconsin-based nonprofit hopes a new law can help some of its struggling farmers quickly recoup federal grant funds they are owed. The Honor …

Global food security depends on work done by U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. Its scientists and funding are on the DOGE chopping block. (s1llu/Adobe Stock/AI enhanced)<br />

America's historic crops at risk as DOGE cuts funding for seed bunkers

Working without fanfare, federal scientists at 22 U.S. sites maintain the nation's agricultural plant species collected since 1898, including crops …

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, 41% of beginning producers were female, as opposed to 36% of all U.S. producers. (Adobe Stock)

Congress aims to assist new farmers with accessing land in OH, nationwide

Ohio ranks fourth in the nation for the number of farms, with more than 75,000, and beginning farmers in the Buckeye State and nationwide may soon be …

Some 18% of farms operated by beginning farmers report sales of $50,000 or more, compared to 26% of farms run by established producers. (DisobeyArt/Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers unite to address farmland access 'crisis,' in MI and beyond

Michigan ranks 15th in the nation for its number of farms, with 44,000, a slight decrease from 2023 and reflects a national decline. Now, beginning …

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, 41% of beginning producers were female, compared with 36% of all U.S. producers. (Kostiantyn/Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan bill aims to tackle farmland access crisis in MO, nationwide

Missouri ranks second in the nation for the number of farms, with more than 85,000. Beginning farmers in the state and across the nation may soon …

In the Biden administration's final year, the USDA and EPA reaffirmed a goal to halve food waste by 2030 but supermarkets are not legally required to comply. Retailers can help by donating unsold food and educating consumers on cutting waste at home. (lado2016/Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Major supermarkets fail to cut food-related methane emissions

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborati…

Under tariffs imposed by the first Trump administration, losses for farmers prompted a $23 billion taxpayer-funded bailout. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado farmers brace for new round of Trump tariffs

President Donald Trump is set to impose sweeping global tariffs this week, a move expected to spark retaliation against a range of American products …

Iowa has about 400,000 acres of wetlands, down from an estimated 4 to 6 million acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Federal judge to decide fate of IA 'Swampbuster' wetlands program

A federal judge in Cedar Rapids hears arguments today in a case that could make or break the future of wetland protection programs in the state…

The USDA reported since April 2024, there have been avian influenza virus detections in 336 commercial flocks and 207 backyard flocks, for a total of more than 90.9 million birds affected.(Adobe Stock)<br />

Poll: Americans concerned about bird flu effects on wallets over health

West Virginians are more concerned about bird flu's effect on grocery costs rather than health implications, and Republican voters are more likely to …

The National School Lunch Program, created in 1946 as part of the National School Lunch Act, provides federal dollars to schools for food purchases. (Adobe Stock)

Co-ops help more KY school districts participate in local produce bidding

School staffing shortages can affect nutrition in Kentucky school districts, as many districts across the state rely on frozen, processed breakfast …

WI nonprofit creates song to interest younger kids in soil science

A local nonprofit with a mission to advance regenerative agriculture is hoping its new video can open up an untapped world of science to a younger aud…

As part of the Trump administration's budget-cutting moves, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has eliminated $1 billion in programs connecting local producers with food banks and school lunch programs. (Adobe Stock)

USDA cuts could halt progress of SD local food scene

South Dakota farmers leading the "locally grown" movement have visions of a dynamic regional food production system but some of it is in doubt with lo…

Engelbrecht Farm in Waverly, Iowa, uses insects to keep pests at bay, improve soil health and increase pollination. (Engelbrecht Farm)

Iowa farmers 'plant good insects' to fight pests

The organization Practical Farmers of Iowa is helping urban crop growers use beneficial insects to control pests, boost soil health and increase …

Agriculture trade groups want to see a rollback of federal environmental regulations on the meatpacking industry, along with fewer worker protections and food safety measures. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska meatpackers call on feds to deregulate industry

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

Aquaculture, particularly aquaponics, can improve food security by providing locally grown, fresh and nutritious food in food deserts. (Adobe Stock/B.Rath Photography)

Expanding NM's aquaculture-based fish farming could improve food security

New Mexico may never be a leader in aquaculture but some fish farmers are finding success in the arid state. Rossana Sallenave, professor and …

Climate experts say drought can reduce both the availability and quality of water necessary for productive farms, and can also lead to insect outbreaks. (Adobe Stock)

SD farmer flexes drought-fighting muscle in face of dry conditions

The South Dakota region has seen some wet weather in recent days, but the entire state is still in varying levels of drought status. That has …

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have recently come under scrutiny for not doing more to enforce factory farm manure discharge permits. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa slaughterhouse faces water pollution lawsuit

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration In …

Federal agencies are ramping up efforts to contain avian flu, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture rolling out a $1 billion plan focused on biosecurity, financial relief for affected producers and research into possible vaccines for poultry. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio leads nation in bird flu cases, consumers face rising costs

A Food and Water Watch report claims Ohio egg producers are profiting from the bird flu outbreak. Ohio, a top egg producer, has lost nearly 15 …

It is estimated climate change could increase New Mexico's average temperature by up to 7 degrees over the next 50 years. (rd.usda.gov)

NM farm tackles climate change one freeze-dried apple at a time

New Mexico is one of five U.S. states that frequently encounters exceptional drought that can damage crops but one farmer is doing her part to reduce …

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 2025 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2025 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 25 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: Afternoon Update - June 19, 2025

2025Talks - June 19, 2025

The Yonder Report - June 19, 2025

Sustainable Agriculture and Farming