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Sunflowers Represent Growing Profit Potential for Farmers

Researchers recently unlocked the genetic code of the plant to help locate the specific genes that control self-pollination. (Photo by Amy Mayer, Harvest Public Media)
Researchers recently unlocked the genetic code of the plant to help locate the specific genes that control self-pollination. (Photo by Amy Mayer, Harvest Public Media)

We are proud of our sunflowers here in Kansas. They are beautiful and the seeds are tasty and nutritious. But sunflowers are also a global commodity crop with a growing demand, though they’re currently a minor player in the United States. Researchers have unlocked the genetic code of the entire plant, which could lead to better hybrid seeds—making sunflowers even more appealing to farmers. Harvest Public Media’s Amy Mayer reports.


Learn more about this story -- and discover other stories affecting the rural Midwest -- at HarvestPublicMedia.org. Harvest Public Media is a reporting collaboration focused on issues of food, fuel and field. Harvest covers agriculture-related topics through a network of reporters and partner stations throughout the Midwest.

 

 

 

Harvest Public Media is a reporting collaboration focused on issues of food, fuel and field. Based at KCUR in Kansas City, Harvest covers these agriculture-related topics through an expanding network of reporters and partner stations throughout the Midwest. Global demand for food and fuel is rising, and the push and pull for resources has serious ramifications for our country’s economic prosperity. What’s more, we all eat, so we all have a stake in how our food is produced In the Midwest, in particular, today’s emerging agenda for agriculture is headlined by climate change, food safety, biofuel production, animal welfare, water quality, and sustainability. By examining these local, regional and national issues and their implications with in-depth and unbiased reporting, Harvest is filling a critical information void. Most Harvest Public Media stories begin with radio — regular reports are aired on our member stations in the Midwest. But Harvest also explores issues through online analyses, television documentaries and features, podcasts, photography, video, blogs and social networking. We are committed to the highest journalistic standards. Click here to read our ethics policy.