Nov 12, 2003 — In Europe, the black currant fruit is really popular, but chances are, you've never tasted it here. Farming black currants was banned nearly a hundred years ago because the plant spread disease through forests. Now, states are easing up on their bans, and growers are determined to bring this "forbidden fruit" to the American palate. But forestry experts caution that the black currant revival may still pose a danger to trees. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lisa Phillips reports.  Go to full article

Oct 28, 2003 — One of the nation's largest environmental groups is suing the Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to get the agency to ban an herbicide widely used by farmers. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports.  Go to full article

Oct 27, 2003 — For almost 20 years, the federal government has paid farmers to convert some of their land to natural habitat for plants and animals. The Conservation Reserve Program is designed to protect the creeks and rivers that border farms. This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding the program to take on an additional two million acres, including 132,000 acres in Illinois. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jonathan Ahl reports.  Go to full article

Oct 21, 2003 — The fall season brings with it celebrations of the harvest. Pumpkins and gourds show up at the grocery store. And for many families, fall means a trip to the apple orchard. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham observes that often that traditional celebration of the harvest just ain't what it used to be.  Go to full article

Oct 13, 2003 — A wide selection of local produce is available this season, and that means plenty of opportunities to buy fresh produce at farmers markets and roadside stands. Horticulturist Amy Ivy says even grocers and restaurants are committed to using locally grown food.  Go to full article

Oct 10, 2003 — Environmental groups allege the Bush administration might want to give large, so-called "factory farms" a break under the Clean Air Act and Superfund laws. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Chuck Quirmbach reports.  Go to full article

Jul 15, 2003 — It's much quieter in Albany now than it was a month ago. A contentious legislative session has come to a close, and state lawmakers are in their home districts. State Senator Ray Meier represents the 47th Senate District, which includes all of Lewis County and parts of St. Lawrence and Oneida counties. During his district travels, he stopped by our studios last week to talk with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

Jun 25, 2003 — The North Country dairy industry is facing some of its bleakest times in memory this summer. Farmers are going deeper into debt and working jobs off the farm. The main culprit for the crisis is a year and a half of extremely low milk prices. The depressed market has forced many farmers to start spin-off businesses to make ends meet. It's called "diversification" in the industry. In the first of a two part series on diversifying farms in the North Country, David Sommerstein reports the opportunities and pitfalls are many.  Go to full article

Mar 24, 2003 — Representatives from the North Country's agriculture industry addressed farmers' problems at a state Assembly hearing Friday. As David Sommerstein reports, there were more questions than answers as the local dairy industry faces severe stress.  Go to full article

Feb 27, 2003 — New York lawmakers are looking at possible incentives to help farmers expand into the lucrative alternative crop market. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Joyce Kryszak has details.  Go to full article