Hope Kirwan
Reporter, Wisconsin Public RadioI cover agriculture, the environment and rural communities for Harvest Public Media. I’m a reporter for Wisconsin Public Radio based in La Crosse.
At WPR, I report on Wisconsin’s diverse agriculture industry and the Upper Mississippi River. I also cover issues affecting communities in Wisconsin’s southwest region, from PFAS contamination in private wells to the threat of more frequent floods.
Before joining WPR in 2015, I covered health and rural communities as a producer for KBIA in Columbia, Missouri. I’m a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and I grew up in west central Illinois.
You can reach me at hope.kirwan@wpr.org.
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Animal rescue leaders say new rules meant to prevent the spread of the livestock parasite make sense. But they are also costly for overcrowded shelters in Texas, which transfer many pets to other states. -
Corn and soybean growers have seen several years of low commodity prices and increased costs for supplies like fertilizer and fuel. That has many farmers worried about whether they'll turn a profit this year and drawn some comparisons to a dark time in American agriculture. -
Beginning in November, SNAP retailers across the U.S. will be required to stock more healthy foods. But experts say the change will ultimately leave federal food aid users with fewer options — especially in rural areas. -
Community-supported agriculture has been a popular way for people to buy produce from local farms for decades. There's new pressure on farmers to offer more customization and convenience – but some CSA supporters worry that may dilute the original purpose. -
The economic uncertainty brought on from war in Iran will likely drive up U.S. food prices, especially for fresh produce. -
A Wisconsin university is using augmented reality to show staff from meat processing plants and farmers what it's like to look through the eyes of livestock. -
Farm aid promised last December is still months away from being paid out to fruit and vegetable growers. But industry groups say it won't be enough to get them through tough market conditions. -
New federal guidelines recommend Americans include full-fat dairy in their diets. While recent studies suggest full-fat milk may not harm heart health, scientists say more research is needed. -
Industry experts say interest in protein consumption among consumers is likely driving growth in whole milk sales. But the trend may be a blip in the ongoing decline in U.S. milk consumption. -
Farmers across the central U.S. have navigated a myriad of challenges this year, including low crop prices and federal funding cuts.
