Agriculture
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There’s been a media hub-bub since yesterday about the so-called dark side of NY’s Greek yogurt boom. A report by Justin Elliott in Modern Farmer explains that making one ounce of smooth, creamy, protein-packed yogurt, like Fage and...
We wrote about Potsdam grower Daniel Martin’s plans for a new style of farmstand a few months ago, and now it’s up and a running. Martin’s market isn’t at the village square; it’s in the gathering place of the future – online. I...
Yes, a Washington hog farmer is feeding weed to his animals. According to NPR’s The Salt, no, the prosciutto he’s producing doesn’t smell like the kind; and no, you don’t get high from eating it. But the story highlights two...
It was a newsy week in the world of agriculture, so here are seven good reads to keep you busy this weekend: The Farm Bill passed both the House and Senate Agriculture committees this week, and are likely to get hearings on the floors of their...
Today we’re excited to have a new regular contributor join us on The Dirt. Lucy Martin lives south of urban Ottawa and writes regularly for NCPR’s other blogs. A couple times a month, she’ll share the view of food and farm issues...
Agriculture
May 22, 2013 — Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.
May 13, 2013 — The high court ruled unanimously that when farmers use patented seed for more than one planting in violation of their licensing agreements, they are liable for damages.
Apr 30, 2013 — Many farmers are cheering government proposals to give thousands of seasonal farmworkers a path to legal status. But even if the bill passes, it won't solve the long-term trend of fewer migrants coming north to work on U.S. farms. Farmers will instead have to learn how to do more with less immigrant labor.
Apr 10, 2013 — Cities are finding beneficial and lucrative ways to dispose of solid waste, while also helping farmers. But a lot of sewage still ends up in landfills or being processed at big, industrial incinerators.
Apr 9, 2013 — Vermont tops the nation when it comes to locally produced food, according to a new ranking from the nonprofit Strolling of the Heifers. Having farmers markets, CSA programs and distribution systems all helps.
Special Reports
Audio SeriesFarm to Farm, Family to Family: David Sommerstein travels with NC dairy farmers to a Mexican village many of their migrant workers call home.
Audio SeriesA Year on the Farm
In this monthly feature series, David Sommerstein follows life in the barn, on the fields, and in the farmhouse through the changing seasons on the Andrews dairy farm near Gouverneur NY. This series won the 2006 "Cap" Creal Journalism Award from the New York Agricultural Society.
Audio SeriesHispanic Workers on North Country Farms
Five years ago, just a handful of farmers in the North Country employed Hispanic workers. Now many use workers from Latin America. The transition can be a bumpy one, for farmers and for the people they hire. David Sommerstein tells their stories in this ongoing series.
Audio Slideshow:Beekeepers facing new challenges
Lucy Martin visits with Ontario beekeeper Terry McEvoy and talks about colony collapse disorder and other apiary ailments that raise concerns about the food supply.
Audio SlideshowSights & Sounds of the Dairy Princess Parade
We go to the sidelines of one of the big events on the annual dairy calendar, the St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Parade in Canton. Fire engines, tractors, and floats rolled down Main Street on Saturday.
Audio SeriesDiversifying North Country Farms
NCPR reporter David Sommestein's series on diversifying North Country farming won the 2003 “Cap” Creal Journalism Award from the New York State Agricultural Society.
Photo Audio EssayDairy Farming in the North Country
The time seemed right to look at the challenges facing dairy in the North Country. In part 1 we look at the price of milk, as seen through the eyes of one mid-size dairy farmer. In part 2 we visit a cheese manufacturer proposing drastic changes in the way North Country farmers do business. David Sommerstein reports.
Audio SlideshowA Barn-Raising in Upper Jay (Real 6:23)
These days, most new barns are built quickly with steel frames and sheet-metal siding. But some landowners are taking a little more time, using methods and materials passed down over hundreds of years.
Photo Audio EssaySaving New York's Historic Barns
Some of New York's oldest barns are getting facelifts. Todd Moe visited a Canton family's 1820 English threshing barn slated for restoration.
Comparing Environment in the Great Lakes
Apr 16, 2002 — New York compares well against other Great Lakes states on environmental issues, according to a report released last week. But as David Sommerstein reports, the study says the region as a whole lags behind other parts of the country on environmental protections. Go to full article
Ephemeral Wetlands
Mar 27, 2002 — Biologists are becoming concerned about the disappearance of a habitat for wildlife that can be found in rural areas, in sprawling suburbs, and even in cities. The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to get city planners, farmers, and developers to stop draining small marshy areas that biologists call ephemeral wetlands. The EPA says in the rush to save big areas of wetlands these small temporary wet spots have been overlooked at the expense of some unique wildlife. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham has more. Go to full article
North Country Dairy Industry Considers Its Future
Mar 14, 2002 — Stakeholders in the North Country dairy industry are hoping a series of meeting will help them develop a strategy for keeping area agricultural businesses successful. More than 100 people representing many sides of the dairy industry have been meeting since last November and have compiled dozens of ideas, including how to improve education, marketing and milk-pricing. As Jodi Tosti reports, one plan to come out of the meeting would provide job training for farm workers. Go to full article
500 Farms Lost in New York in 2001
Mar 07, 2002 — An estimated 500 farms and a million acres of farmland were lost in New York State last year, according to figures released by the state's Agricultural Statistics Service. ... Go to full article
Adirondack Counties Added to Drought Watch
Feb 20, 2002 — State officials have added eight counties in the Adirondacks to areas listed under a drought watch. The lack of snowfall this season is causing concerns that the situation... Go to full article
New Farm Bill Replaces Northeast Dairy Compact Benefits
Feb 14, 2002 — The US Senate has passed a farm bill that boosts subsidies for dairy, grain and cotton farmers and doubled the support for conservation programs. New York Senator Charles... Go to full article
Farm Practices Slow to Change
Jan 09, 2002 — For years, environmentalists, government workers, and others have been puzzled about why more farmers don't make use of environmentally friendly land management practices.... Go to full article
People: Judy Aldrich, St. Lawrence County Dairy Farmer
Dec 21, 2001 — Martha Foley talks with St. Lawrence county farmer Judy Aldrich about old and new challenges facing dairy farmers and the dairy industry. Aldrich serves on a national... Go to full article
Curbing Emissions from Heavy Equipment
Dec 19, 2001 — The EPA is taking on a major source of uncontrolled pollution: emissions from farm and construction equipment. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Julie Halpert looks at the... Go to full article
Northeast Dairy Compact Nearer to Restoration
Dec 14, 2001 — Milk price protections for dairy farmers inched closer to reality this week. The Senate voted in favor of keeping a $2 billion dairy plan in the government's five-year farm... Go to full article
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