Crops

Recent heat and drought have fueled concerns about this year’s corn crop, as producers in the Midwest see a wide range of conditions.

Elderberries are native to the Midwest, but the commercial cultivation of the crop is relatively recent, and saw a big increase during the coronavirus pandemic. That has the burgeoning industry wondering if its future is as a small, niche crop or something bigger.

The Kansas City Royals want a new stadium, and area labor groups see it as inevitable. Trade unions want the stadium to be 100% union-built, and labor groups are fighting for an agreement that makes sure it benefits workers and the community. Plus: Despite its monumental impact, the latest farm bill may find itself part of a tug-of-war in Congress.

Every five years, Congress has to renew the farm bill — a gigantic piece of legislation that supports and protects food production, natural resources and provides food benefits to low-income families.

The Farm Bill, that sets important policy on everything from crop insurance to SNAP benefits, is up for renewal next year. But the results of the midterm elections may not shed much light on how that legislation will end up.

Climate experts say summer nights have gotten warmer. One study found the average minimum temperature in the United States has gotten warmer by 2.5 degrees over the last 50 years. For farmers, this means crops and livestock could suffer.

High food prices are affecting many in Kansas City, and there are two crops that play an outsized role: corn and soybeans. Plus, one rancher in Kansas is outfitting his cattle with GPS collars to save money and protect the grasslands.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million dollars in grants to plant cover crops in six Midwestern states The funding comes as demand for state and federal incentive programs for cover crops often outpaces available funding.

Bean and pea farming is gaining traction in the Midwest as demand increases for the products and the conservation benefits become more clear.

For years, conservationists and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have urged farmers to plant other crops in between harvests, saying it can prevent erosion and enrich the soil. But some farmers and scientists say it isn’t worth the water it uses in dry regions like Oklahoma and Kansas.

Since lockdown in March, Kansas City has seen an uptick in domestic violence calls, the latest polling numbers in Kansas and Missouri, and a Lawrence-based artist uses cropland to show political support.

Segment 1: Port KC wields power beyond the banks of the Missouri River.The goal of Port KC, is to drive economic development in Kansas City, Missouri, but…