GRAPHIC: Number of organic farms in Iowa has gradually increased since 2000, state data shows
The USDA has strict standards for labeling food “organic.” A fraction of Iowa farms has been accredited.
Record-breaking egg profits prompt accusation of price gouging
In a letter sent to the Federal Trade Commission, the organization Farm Action accused the country’s dominant egg producers of scheming to raise prices.
Congress approves ecosystem restoration program for lower Mississippi River
The program will prioritize projects that improve water quality, reduce hypoxia or use use natural infrastructure.
GRAPHIC: Bird flu main cause of record-breaking egg prices, USDA says
Since February, more than 39 million hens died or were killed as a result of the disease.
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Farmers endured a rough year, but fertilizer companies cashed in
Even though some farmers could not afford the rising costs of fertilizer, the commodity’s prices have massively boosted company profits this year. One major player saw net earnings over the first nine months of 2022 jump more than 1,000% over the same time period in 2021.
‘Immense sense of pride’: Iowa farm owned by Black family for 158 years
The Western family owns one of only about 1,700 Iowa Heritage Farms, which means a farm in the same family for at least 150 years. Theirs is likely the only such farm owned by a Black family.
Voluntary measures may not be enough: Bacteria and algae plague Iowa beaches
The Gazette and Investigate Midwest analyzed 20 years of beach monitoring data from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
ADM, other Big Ag companies host top state ag officials in Midwest at private dinner before Farm Progress Show, emails show
The dinner doesn’t need to be disclosed to authorities, raising questions about how effective state lobbying rules are. “If someone doesn’t record it,” one expert said, “how are you going to find out?”
Government & Politics
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GRAPHIC: Hog welfare laws covered less than 3% of all hogs in U.S. in 2022, USDA says
Laws governing hog welfare are primarily in states that don’t contribute much to the nation’s pork supply, according to the USDA.
New FCC broadband map of the U.S. is ‘a step in the right direction’
The new map improves on its past iterations, experts say, but there are still questions about the accuracy of some of the information included.
3M to end manufacture and use of ‘forever chemicals’ by 2025
3M will also “work to discontinue use of PFAS across our product portfolio” by 2025.
Minnesota tries new technologies to remove ‘forever chemicals’ from water
In efforts to address long-running PFAS contamination in the east metro, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is trying to suck the chemicals out of groundwater.
Midwest river towns looking for answers after forever chemicals found in water
Earlier in November, the EPA announced that PFAS contamination from the factory near Cordova, Illinois, has created “an imminent and substantial endangerment.”
Large CAFOs are known polluters. Here’s why EPA permits only cover one-third.
States enforce these federal rules differently, resulting in a patchwork of regulation that activists say fails to protect the environment.
Opinion
Column: FDA needs to take a labeling stand on products chock full of added sugars
OK. A quick show of hands. How many of you would be fine with an energy bar manufacturer labeling its…
