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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...
The Senate Agriculture committee passed a nearly $100 billion a year Farm Bill this afternoon, 15-5. One of the Senators who voted against it was New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who’s leading a fight to restore all of the $400 million...


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 Series
Farm to Farm, Family to Family: David Sommerstein travels with NC dairy farmers to a Mexican village many of their migrant workers call home.
Audio Series
A 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 Series
Hispanic 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.
Beekeeper
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 Slideshow
Sights & 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 Series
Diversifying 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 Essay
Dairy 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 Slideshow
A 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 Essay
Saving 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.

New Farm Bill Replaces Northeast Dairy Compact Benefits

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 Schumer says most importantly for New York is that the National Dairy Program will give dairy farmers the same benefits as the now defunct Northeast Dairy Compact would have given.  Go to full article

Farm Practices Slow to Change

For years, environmentalists, government workers, and others have been puzzled about why more farmers don't make use of environmentally friendly land management practices. Now, researchers have found some of the reasons farmers persist in farming the way they do--and why they don't listen to outside experts. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham has more.  Go to full article

People: Judy Aldrich, St. Lawrence County Dairy Farmer

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 advisory committee at the USDA.  Go to full article

Curbing Emissions from Heavy Equipment

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

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

Planning Your Next Vacation? Try Agri-tourism

With many small farms in danger of going out of business, some farmers are finding new ways to keep their land and their lifestyles intact. They're marketing their farms as a...  Go to full article

Canada Will not Require Labeling for Genetically-Modified Foods

The Canadian Parliament has voted down a bill that would have required labeling for genetically modified foods. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Karen Kelly reports.  Go to full article

Farm Policy and the Environment, pt. 2

Farmers are concerned about new farm bill. Environmental groups are increasingly demanding, and getting more money for conservation programs. In this second report, the Great...  Go to full article

Farm Policy and the Environment, pt. 1

The first in a two-part series from the Great Lakes Radio Consortium on balancing farm policy and the environment--In this first report, Mary Losure visits a place that's...  Go to full article

Ending the Summer With Ice Cream

Brian Mann drops by Donnelly's ice cream stand between Saranac Lake and Paul Smith's to gather some thoughts on the end of summer.  Go to full article

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