Harvest Public Media
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.
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Genetically engineered seeds inserted with proteins from soil bacteria known by genetic scientists as Bt take on the proteins’ insect-killing powers. Researchers say using seeds altered with Bt also leads to less insecticide being sprayed.
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Since 2010, The Rural Health Research Program says 95 rural hospitals have closed around the U.S..
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Midwestern farmers are enrolling in the Market Facilitation Program, which pays producers who are affected by the ongoing trade war.
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The USDA announced in December that it will offer $600 million in grants and low-interest loans for help expand broadband in rural areas.
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The USDA has worked hard to recruit new workers In response to a shortage of inspectors in recent years. Some regional managers now say working without pay was hard on employee morale and may discourage potential recruits.
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About 200 FDA food safety inspectors are working during the shutdown and that means only about one-third of the usual FDA food safety inspections are taking place
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The federal Farm Service Agency will help farmers with things like commodity support programs and loans to cover operating expenses.
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The H-2A visa program allows more than 240,000 people from countries like Mexico to help with agricultural work in the U-S for several months at a time.
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USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced that his agency will open on a limited basis over three days to process high priority needs, such as loan checks and tax documents.
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About 2500 furloughed workers are being recalled to open up almost half of the FSA offices around the country including 90 offices in Kansas but only for three days.