Molly Ashford
Reporter, Nebraska Public MediaI cover agriculture and environmental issues for Harvest Public Media via Nebraska Public Media in Lincoln, Nebraska.
I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, where I continue to live while commuting to Lincoln. Prior to joining the public radio world, I worked at The Omaha World-Herald for about three years, with a primary coverage area of courts and justice issues. Before that, I worked at a small daily legal newspaper and freelanced for a variety of local nonprofit outlets.
I have an undergraduate degree in Medical Humanities from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and will soon return to the university to begin a Master’s program in History and Government.
Reach out with tips, story ideas, feedback — or just to say hello. My email is mashford@nebraskapublicmedia.org and I’m far too active on Twitter/X under the username @heymooly.
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As food production and farming become increasingly computerized, cyberattacks are on the rise. Lawmakers and universities are encouraging more research into how to protect the industry from cyber threats. -
Several planned projects would have brought solar to communities in the Midwest and Great Plains for the first time. Others would have expanded existing efforts. Now, the projects are on hold after the Environmental Protection Agency abruptly terminated $7 billion in funding. -
The interest in local food systems, like farmer’s markets and direct farm-to-consumer sales, is on the rise. But the U.S. is still more reliant on imported foods than ever before. -
Health care leaders worry rural hospitals could be hit hard by Medicaid spending reductions in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." In the Midwest and Great Plains, Oklahoma and Kansas could face the highest risk of hospital closures and service reductions. -
After the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, THC products made from the plant have grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Now, more state and federal lawmakers are working to limit or ban the products. -
Nebraska will ban soda and energy drinks from federal food aid. Cuts in other states are likely nextAgriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins gave a first-ever approval for a state to restrict what’s covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during a visit to Nebraska this week. Other states, including Kansas, Iowa and Indiana, are seeking similar waivers. -
The Conservation Reserve Program incentivizes farmers to take environmentally sensitive land out of production. Project 2025 says the Trump administration should champion its elimination.
