Who’s Buying Nebraska? Foreign companies deeply involved in farmland — but not how you think
Foreign companies have serious ties to Nebraska agriculture, but those ties don’t often lead to ownership of Nebraska farmland — thanks partly to a 19th-century law.
‘Forever chemicals’ found in freshwater fish, yet most states don’t warn residents
The EPA added hundreds of PFAS compounds to its list of ‘chemicals of special concern.’
GRAPHIC: Ag emissions from world’s top ag emitters have trended up slightly since 2015, nonprofit data says
Officials across the world have made agricultural emissions a focus at this year’s global climate summit.
US push to produce methane from manure raises concerns
Stakeholders claim biodigesters could replace fossil fuels and slow climate change. Critics fear lack of strict regulatory oversight will equal more pollution.
ongoing investigations
Farmworker Housing
To better understand farmworkers’ housing conditions, Investigate Midwest is obtaining inspections from dozens of states. View our map of housing inspections — including violations inspectors noted — and read our coverage.
Click here to see more
About Us
Investigate Midwest is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Our mission is to serve the public as a watchdog over influential corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism. Learn more »
Who’s Buying Nebraska? After shopping spree, Mormon church is top land purchaser
In the past five years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought twice as much Nebraska land as the second biggest buyer. If they keep it up, they’ll soon own more than anyone.
Investigate Midwest event in Iowa City draws intimate crowd
Donations made at ‘Discovery in Disguise’ will be tripled to support investigative reporting of industrial agriculture.
Experts: Beyond corn and soybeans, farming’s future has plenty of options
Some Iowa growers opt for growing crops outside of the big corn and soybean markets. Farmers and experts hope that, amid the challenges, are potential wins for better health, stronger local economies and an improved environment.
Crops and solar intersect as Iowa’s first agrivoltaics project prepares to power up
The collaboration between Iowa State University and Alliant Energy is the first utility-scale agrivoltaics project in the Midwest. Researchers will raise bees and plant vegetables, fruits and pollinator habitat within the 10-acre solar farm.
GRAPHIC: Five states dominate nearly 70% of pork exports, with Iowa leading the way
U.S. pork exports have seen a 70% increase over the past 12 years.
More Stories
A Kansas City farm school shows how the Farm Bill is helping develop urban ag
A Kansas City farm school reflects how urban agriculture has evolved in recent years.
GRAPHIC: On top of billions in USDA pandemic aid, farmers got $5.8 billion in PPP loans
Paycheck Protection Program loans accounted for about 13% of total federal payments to farmers as they dealt with issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Drought on Mississippi River expected to persist through winter
Lack of rain brought drought to much of the Mississippi River basin early this summer, and it’s likely going to linger into winter, Army Corps of Engineers leadership said during a press conference on Nov. 8 in Memphis, while a dredge was working nonstop to keep the river channel open a few miles south.
A fear of the 1980s for farmers and black swan risks for cattle producers
A few Oklahoma farmers and ranchers got the chance on Nov. 6 to raise some points about the Farm Bill and rural concerns with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson. They stressed the financial risks currently facing producers.
Joyce Foundation offers $10K match to Investigate Midwest during NewsMatch
Gifts to the end-of-year giving campaign can be tripled to support investigative reporting of industrial agriculture.
GRAPHIC: After a calm summer, avian flu outbreaks spiked in October
The contagious pathogen continues to plague the country’s poultry stock, despite fewer cases this year.
Opinion
FDA must test food color additives to improve public trust
30-plus years later, study on Red No. 3 still not done, Dave writes.
