Dozens of farm and agricultural workers have died from heat stroke since 2015, according to federal data. But the future of the proposal is unclear under the Trump administration.
Deportations, Raids and Visa Access. How the Presidential Election Could Alter Life for Immigrant Farmworkers.
Donald Trump says he’ll deport millions of undocumented workers, including many who work in the agriculture industry. Kamala Harris publicly supports a path to citizenship for farmworkers but espouses tough border policies.
Donald Trump says he’ll deport millions of undocumented workers, including many who work in the agriculture industry. Kamala Harris publicly supports a path to citizenship for farmworkers but espouses tough border policies.
Rare Illinois Dust Storm Shows How Far Climate Shifts Are Reaching
The number of dust storms recorded annually across the U.S. doubled in just over a decade. As bare cropland and rising temperatures dry out the Midwest, even states like Illinois are seeing warnings once reserved for the Southwest.
The number of dust storms recorded annually across the U.S. doubled in just over a decade. As bare cropland and rising temperatures dry out the Midwest, even states like Illinois are seeing warnings once reserved for the Southwest.
Tomatoes Become Latest Flashpoint in US-Mexico Trade Tensions
Nearly nine out of 10 tomatoes imported into the United States last year came from Mexico, according to trade figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Nearly nine out of 10 tomatoes imported into the United States last year came from Mexico, according to trade figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.
New Screwworm Threat Halts Cattle Imports From Mexico, Fueling Beef Supply Worries
With US cattle numbers down for the sixth straight year and prices already up 53% since 2019, experts warn the screwworm-related import halt could drive further price hikes.
With US cattle numbers down for the sixth straight year and prices already up 53% since 2019, experts warn the screwworm-related import halt could drive further price hikes.
Trump Says He Loves Farmers. He’s Dismantling the Agency Helping Their Communities Survive.
About 10% of the 15,000 federal employees who have left the U.S. Department of Agriculture worked for Rural Development, the agency most responsible for federal investment in farming communities.
About 10% of the 15,000 federal employees who have left the U.S. Department of Agriculture worked for Rural Development, the agency most responsible for federal investment in farming communities.
Sewage Fertilizer Can Cause Illness and Harm the Environment. Why Are Some Oklahoma Officials Resistant to a Ban?
Despite health warnings about PFAs, pathogens, and insurance fallout, Oklahoma continues spreading human waste on thousands of acres of farmland.
Despite health warnings about PFAs, pathogens, and insurance fallout, Oklahoma continues spreading human waste on thousands of acres of farmland.
Underage Workers, Millions of Dollars and Trucks Full of Dead Chickens — Inside the Business of Killing in Response to Bird Flu
The federal government has a single contractor to assist with killing infected flocks, leading to delays and the use of controversial culling methods.
The federal government has a single contractor to assist with killing infected flocks, leading to delays and the use of controversial culling methods.
Bill Seeks to Increase Farmland Access for Young Farmers and Ranchers
A bipartisan bill would expand farmland access through legal help, state land programs, and low-interest loans — addressing a growing problem recently highlighted by Investigate Midwest.
A bipartisan bill would expand farmland access through legal help, state land programs, and low-interest loans — addressing a growing problem recently highlighted by Investigate Midwest.
Farmer Bankruptcies Doubled in 2024. Trump’s Trade War Is Adding to Their Financial Uncertainty.
That aid, combined with historically low interest rates and a temporary surge in commodity prices, helped stabilize farm finances and delay the financial reckoning many producers now face.
That aid, combined with historically low interest rates and a temporary surge in commodity prices, helped stabilize farm finances and delay the financial reckoning many producers now face.
Tariff Is Trump’s Favorite Word — but for Soybean Farmers, It Spells Trouble
Trump’s trade war with China could leave American soybean farmers stranded while Brazil reaps the benefits.
Trump’s trade war with China could leave American soybean farmers stranded while Brazil reaps the benefits.
Mass Terminations Have Cut USDA ‘Off at the Knees,’ Ex-Employees Say
More than a dozen recently fired USDA employees told Investigate Midwest the terminations have stalled irrigation projects, rural housing aid and efforts to combat invasive crop diseases. Remaining staff are overwhelmed, and farmers may not receive needed and timely help.
More than a dozen recently fired USDA employees told Investigate Midwest the terminations have stalled irrigation projects, rural housing aid and efforts to combat invasive crop diseases. Remaining staff are overwhelmed, and farmers may not receive needed and timely help.
Egg Prices Continue to Swing Drastically, Cracking Already Strained Grocery Budgets
Bird flu outbreaks, drought conditions and inflation push grocery costs higher.
Bird flu outbreaks, drought conditions and inflation push grocery costs higher.
‘Forever Chemical’-Laden Sewage Sludge Is a National Emergency
Risks associated with PFAS have been known for decades. EPA only released its risk assessment of the chemicals in biosolid fertilizer in April 2024.
Risks associated with PFAS have been known for decades. EPA only released its risk assessment of the chemicals in biosolid fertilizer in April 2024.
Millions of Livestock Die Each Year While Being Transported. Those Cases Are Rarely Investigated by the USDA.
Animal welfare advocates believe antiquated laws and truck driver exemptions lead to millions of farm animal deaths.
Animal welfare advocates believe antiquated laws and truck driver exemptions lead to millions of farm animal deaths.
As Foodborne Illnesses Sicken Tens of Millions Each Year, FDA Falls Behind on Mandated Inspections
A government watchdog criticized the Food and Drug Administration for failing to meet the required level of inspections each year, partly caused by disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A government watchdog criticized the Food and Drug Administration for failing to meet the required level of inspections each year, partly caused by disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.