Residents of Canton, Miss., say traffic and dust have already made life a ‘mess’. And they worry what will happen when hundreds of backup diesel generators go online. New story from Desk reporter Illan Ireland and the Mississippi Free Press.
States need a major disaster declaration to access federal aid, but the wait time ranges from a few days to a few months. New reporting from Desk reporter Cassandra Stephenson and Tennessee Lookout.
Little progress has been made despite 40 years of cleanup on Leech Lake Reservation. Locals fear for the health of surrounding lakes and the Mississippi River downstream.
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LIVE PANEL: Joana Colussi, Purdue prof and expert on South American agriculture, says Brazil is setting records for soybean production thanks to trade w/ China, but it comes as a cost. "They are making money but at the same time, it's over-dependence." https://t.co/ZSSuT2j2Ce
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LIVE PANEL: Jared Phillips, U. of Ark. ag historian, says six decades of ag policy focused on exports has limited the country's ability to respond to crisis. "There's not a lot of wiggle room anymore." https://t.co/ZSSuT2j2Ce
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LIVE PANEL: April Hemmes, Iowa farmer who's visited China 8 times to talk trade, says the main use of soybeans there is as feed. "At the end of the day, South America can't service all their needs," she says of U.S. exports. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83118281931?pwd=ofocP7ZhQMFqS4xzs8dTpbSdGFW3CP.1
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HAPPENING NOW: We're underway with our panel discussion on how ag tariffs are reshaping global trade. Join us! [Registration required] https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83118281931?pwd=ofocP7ZhQMFqS4xzs8dTpbSdGFW3CP.1
Last chance to sign up for our panel on tariffs, trade wars and agriculture, which is today at noon!
Sign up at the link:
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Don't miss your chance! Apply now for six new environmental reporting positions with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. Deadline is today! @Report4America
https://t.co/PTvy7zes4k
Reporters: Apply now for six new environmental reporting positions with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. Deadline is Monday, Feb. 16!
Reaching a goal of 1,000 buffalo will require more land and fencing. An alliance of tribal nations may help.
Consolidation in ag, higher input prices, land access issues and other obstacles are making it hard for young farmers to gain a foothold in U.S. agriculture
This week in the newsletter, a look at the incredible career of Mark Schleifstein. From Pulitzers to pollution, he's seen it all in environmental journalism. Read and subscribe:
An interesting piece of data from Desk reporter Illan Ireland's recent story on threats to community air monitoring in Louisiana: most chemical plants exempted from the HON rule are in the Mississippi River Basin. Explore the map in the story here:
The Trump administration was quick to mobilize initial aid, but it’s not clear how a shrunken agency will handle the long-term recovery costs.
This week in the newsletter: a special message from our new editorial director after a month on the job, some fascinating recent stories from Desk reporters, and a very exciting update on our fundraising campaign!
Read more:
Reporters: Apply now for six new environmental reporting positions with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk! Applications are due Feb. 16. More info:
Thirty-six states have detected cases of CWD, but many hunters are more fearful of losing game than the disease itself. Read more from Héctor Alejandro Arzate and the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk:
Join us Feb. 19 to explore how tariffs and China’s global investment are reshaping U.S. farming. Investigate Midwest, the Arkansas Times, and the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk will host a live virtual panel examining the impacts on U.S. farmers. More info, and sign up here:
Some exciting news to share: we've selected our next cohort of newsrooms!
6 outlets will join the Desk in 2026, hosting a full-time reporter through Report for America. Read more:
For these faithful, nurturing the Earth is rooted in spiritual beliefs.
Five activists in Wisconsin share how belief has driven them to be better stewards of the earth. New reporting from Desk reporter Madeline Heim and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
It’s not just that sea levels are rising. Scientists believe fossil fuel extraction and river engineering are also factors behind coastline disappearance.
As the state limits sharing of independent data, the Trump administration is delaying new testing requirements for dozens of chemical plants around the Mississippi River Basin
As the cost of everything, especially energy, increases, nonprofit organizations stockpile wood to help neighbors stay home through winter.
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We're in the final hours of our 2025 fundraising campaign, and every bit counts!
Donate to the Ag & Water Desk today! We appreciate the support. https://formizzou.missouri.edu/campaigns/63912/donations/new
This week in the newsletter, we're reflecting on 2025: our favorite stories, experiences and accomplishments.
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At the Ag & Water Desk, we know local, independent reporting is vital.
If you believe in what we do, we hope you’ll chip in during our NewsMatch campaign. Your donation will be matched if you give before 12/31.
Can we count on you?
https://formizzou.missouri.edu/campaigns/63912/donations/new
Chinese state-backed money is remaking the hemisphere’s ports —from Santos to Chancay — reshaping grain routes to Asia and squeezing U.S. farmers as tariffs deepen the split with Washington.
As we get close to the end of the year, we've got some great content planned for the weekly Ag & Water Desk newsletter. Sign up here, including some info from our partner newsrooms in the Climate News Task Force.
https://trustfnd.com/collaboration/get-the-climate-news-task-force-newsletter-bundle
