Harvest Public Media

People sit down and raise their hands. Some hold signs that read, "Safe water, safe future."

Abigail Bottar

As people protest data centers across the Heartland, lawmakers rush to regulate development

Abigail Bottar

Development of large-scale data centers is booming across the Midwest and South. As some communities push back, local and state governments are trying to catch up on how to regulate the new development.

A person in a dark blue shirt and khaki pants bends over in a farm field, picking strawberries.

Lance Cheung

USDA Flickr

Environment & Agriculture

Dangerous humidity is increasing in the Midwest and South, putting farmworkers at risk

Sarah Fentem

The interior of a store is shown. To the left is a refrigerated section with frozen pizzas and other packaged food behind the glass door. On the Door is sign that reads: "SNAP, Putting Healthy Food Within Reach." At right is an aisle of food where a person is reaching for an item.

Carlos Moreno

KCUR 89.3

Environment & Agriculture

A Trump administration policy could force thousands of retailers to stop accepting SNAP benefits

Hope Kirwan

The Latest Harvest Stories

Environment & Agriculture

A once-eradicated livestock parasite is back in the U.S. for the first time in decades

Macy Byars

A case of New World screwworm infection was detected Wednesday in Texas. Federal, state and local partners have been working to curb an outbreak and prevent widespread infection in ranching operations.
Environment & Agriculture

Fish and mussels returned to these rivers after decades of cleanup. But new threats loom

Celia Llopis-Jepsen

Some rivers are success stories where wildlife is bouncing back from heavy pollution. But environmental groups say progress hasn’t happened across the board and backsliding remains possible.
Environment & Agriculture

Tick season is bad this year. What to know and how to stay safe

Jess Savage

Ticks are emerging earlier and staying active for longer. Experts in the central U.S. advise people to take precautions when spending time outside in wooded or grassy areas.
Environment & Agriculture

How a grassroots program is helping farmers teach each other regenerative ag practices

Jess Savage - Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk

The "farmer-led movement" aims to shape the agricultural landscape by strengthening soils and building community.
Environment & Agriculture

Want a wildlife friendly garden in the Midwest? Here's a guide to converting your lawn

Celia Llopis-Jepsen

Turning your grass into a garden isn't as complicated as you think, but it will take time and effort. Kansas City experts offer this step-by-step guide that breaks down the process, from killing your lawn to picking plants to grow.
Environment & Agriculture

Your garden may have this ‘cryptic invader.' Why jumping worms are no ordinary pest

Emma George-Griffin

An invasive worm is destroying forest floors and gardens across the country. Once jumping worms get into the soil, they're nearly impossible to get rid of — so experts say curbing their spread is the best tool against them.
Environment & Agriculture

Teens from across the U.S. compete in this soil judging contest: ‘It’s a very big deal’

Anna Pope

Every spring, high school students from across the country travel to Oklahoma for the National Land and Range Judging Contest. The three-day event tests their knowledge of land and soil.
Environment & Agriculture

House passage of E15 bill praised in corn states, but its future is uncertain in the Senate

Macy Byars

The House passed a bill to allow the year-round sale of E15 – a priority in farm states – following infighting among Republicans.
Environment & Agriculture

These seed banks preserve crucial corn and soy varieties. A federal plan may put them at risk

Abigail Bottar

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing moving the Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center and the National Soybean Germplasm Collection from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, where they've both been housed for decades.