Dec 04 Watch 3:22 These forest fungi are a bounty for Arizona mushroom hunters By Melanie Porter Mushroom hunters have long fanned out across the forest floor seeking what can be lucrative and delicious finds for teas, broths and medicinal remedies. But what does climate change mean for the fungi? From the Cronkite School of Journalism at… Continue watching
Oct 12 Watch 12:34 Can sustainable farming save Iowa’s precious soil and water? By Mark Bittman, Melanie Saltzman, Megan Thompson Iowa is a powerhouse producer of corn and soybeans. But all the industrial farming has come at a cost to the environment. Today, there's a growing number of farmers adopting more sustainable practices in a bid to save Iowa's precious… Continue watching
Sep 05 Watch 9:24 In Brazil, fires and deforestation threaten Amazon species’ survival By Amna Nawaz, Mike Fritz In the Amazon rainforest, record-breaking forest fires and ongoing deforestation threaten the survival of thousands of plant and animal species that call the ecosystem home. Scientists seeking to save them are carefully evaluating which areas of the vibrant Amazon biome… Continue watching
Sep 04 Watch 9:54 How Amazon deforestation could push the climate to a ‘tipping point’ By Amna Nawaz, Mike Fritz The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest and a critical line of defense against climate change. But it’s been steadily deforested since the 1970s, with nearly 20 percent of its land area wiped out. This year, pervasive forest fires destroyed… Continue watching
Aug 28 Watch 9:15 Trump touts tariffs as trade leverage. But what do U.S. farmers and retailers think? President Trump has spent much of his term confronting other countries over trade practices. In particular, he is engaged in a bitter tariff war with China. But how do these tensions affect the U.S. economy? William Brangham talks to Iowa… Continue watching
Jun 05 Watch 5:23 For farmers, record flooding and a wet spring mean many fields can’t be planted By Jack Williams, NET In parts of America’s Heartland, prolonged wet weather and historic flooding are disrupting spring planting for many farmers. Nearly three months after waters washed over parts of Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska, some fields remain submerged -- and President Trump’s trade… Continue watching
Apr 26 After devastating Midwest floods, crisis resources gear up to support distressed farmers By April Simpson, Stateline This spring's devastating Midwest floods increased concerns about the mental health and well-being of farmers who already were struggling with years of economic uncertainty. Continue reading
Mar 07 Pinched by Trump’s tariffs, farmers signal their patience is limited By Kevin Freking, Associated Press For now, President Trump is walking a political tightrope: Going to bat for steel and aluminum makers has endeared him to many voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania, where steel production is a matter of economic pride and legacy, but it… Continue reading
Feb 05 Why soybeans have outsized importance in U.S. trade talks By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press Soybeans, which account for less than 1 percent of U.S. exports, seem to be punching above their weight in U.S. trade policy. Continue reading
Oct 16 Watch 6:08 War veterans find sustenance–and solace–in farming By Mike Cerre After Congress failed to pass a farm bill ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, a Department of Agriculture program that helps veterans transition into farming faces an uncertain future. For soldiers returning from war, farming can offer a new occupation,… Continue watching