From a new presidential administration and sweeping changes at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to the world’s largest retailer entering the beef industry and unchecked water use by a giant poultry producer, 2025 was a year of investigating power across the agricultural industry.
Here are some of our biggest stories from the past 12 months.
Politics, federal and state
President Trump’s impact on the agriculture sector was significant, but state lawmakers also played an important role in shaping the nation’s food system.
Worker safety
From farms to factories, work in the food system can be dangerous. These stories examined how both corporations and government regulators failed to keep workers safe.
Immigrant workers
The food system, which heavily relies on immigrant workers, was upended this year by the Trump administration’s push to deport thousands of undocumented residents and end legal programs.
Corporate control
These stories investigated some of the most powerful corporate players in the agriculture sector and their impact on the environment, consumer prices and government regulations.
Rural life
From fights over Big Ag’s water use to rising hunger rates in farming communities, these stories provide an on-the-ground look at some of the challenges across the heartland.
Pesticide use
Pesticide use has increased across the Midwest, raising questions about regulations and safety.
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