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Adobe Stock/Illinois News ConnectionAn Illinois researcher specializing in rural affairs is urging lawmakers to expand the 2026 Farm Bill to support not just agriculture, but the rural non-farm economy at large, highlighting how both are deeply interconnected. He says rural communities face challenges like population decline, economic shifts, and limited access to housing and health care, making broader investment in rural development essential for long-term sustainability. -
antonlee - stock.adobe.com/1680476516The Corn Belt Windbreak Project is studying decades-old windbreak trees and shrubs to measure their economic and environmental value. Experts say farmers have been removing them to gain acreage, but that costs them money. Researchers at the University of Illinois will work with farmers to evaluate windbreak impacts on yields, soil, and water quality, and develop strategies to help farmers use them profitably now and in the future
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With food insecurity affecting roughly 13% of Missouri households and food prices rising, many families can’t afford a traditional Thanksgiving meal. One Branson nonprofit is making sure those in need can enjoy a good holiday meal and much-needed companionship -
The Missouri Department of Social Services announced Thursday that it will continue to issue partial payments of federal food benefits for November, while updating its systems to resume paying full amounts. -
Some Missouri farmers and ranchers are angry over federal plans to import beef from Argentina in an effort to reduce beef prices at U.S. grocery stores. This comes as farmers were hoping better cattle prices would lead to greater reinvestment in the national herd, since cattle numbers have hit historic lows. -
On Monday, October 27, we spoke with Heather Collier, the Donor Relations and Communications Manager, about the upcoming 'Empty Bowls' funding events on Fri. Nov. 7, and the looming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits cut due to the ongoing federal shutdown. -
On Monday, October 27, we spoke with Heather Collier, the Donor Relations and Communications Manager, about the upcoming 'Empty Bowls' funding events on Fri. Nov. 7, and the looming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits cut due to the ongoing federal shutdown.
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Family farming is tough business in Missouri and across the nation. But advocacy groups such as Farm Aid and the Missouri Rural Crisis Center are working to help Missouri farmers keep their businesses growing and their heritage intact. -
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released funds for farmer-driven agriculture research in Missouri and nationwide after a months-long delay. Farmers across the country launched a campaign to insist the government release the money, which it did in mid-September. The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program grants funds to farmers and ranchers for on-farm studies and helps distribute the results. -
Missouri hog farmers are stepping into the national spotlight as Congress considers Prop 12, California’s crate-free pork law. They say losing the law would wipe out a fair market that rewards crate-free pork. -
Illinois environmental advocates are fighting against the Trump Administration's repeal of the Roadless Rule which protects millions of acres of National Forests. They argue the law already allows flexibility for fire management - a key reason the administration cites for the repeal - and that roads, not their absence, are the leading cause of forest fires. -
From the grocery aisle to the factory floor, the speed of America’s meat and poultry processing lines is once again under debate in Congress. Backers of a bill to speed up processing lines say faster production would help the industry, while unions that represent workers warn of safety tradeoffs.
