Latest stories: Barriers for immigrant farmers, Rights of Nature & more

Latest headlines from the Desk

An aerial view of wetlands in a river
Does the Mississippi River have rights? A growing legal movement says yes By Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, WNIJ -- May 30, 2023

JUNE 2, 2023 | Did you get this newsletter from a friend? Click to subscribe.

An aerial view of wetlands in a river
Does the Mississippi River have rights? A growing legal movement says yes By Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, WNIJ -- May 30, 2023
Headshot of a man in tie and jacket

As Midwest farmers face a warmer future, ancient millet grains show promise | By Eva Tesfaye, Harvest Public Media -- May 31, 2023

Army Corps launches major lower Mississippi River study | By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate -- June 1, 2023

A farmer walks through a dry parched field

Lost in translation: How USDA barriers leave immigrant farmers and ranchers behind | By Brittney J. Miller, The Gazette -- May 22, 2023

Leer en español: Como las barreras producidas por el USDA (Departamento de Agricultura de los EEUU) dejan abandonados a los agricultores y los ganaderos inmigrantes

Coming next week: The Price of Plenty, a new series from Ag & Water Desk partner The Columbia Missourian and WUFT News on how chemical fertilizers have fed the world at a rising cost to people and the planet.


Behind the scenes

An industrial site on a clear day
Investigating 3M and PFAS pollution: How the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk collaborated | From The IRE Journal, by Ag & Water Desk reporter Bennet Goldstein and editorial director Tegan Wendland -- May 26, 2023

News outlets can run our stories for free.

We want to our work to reach underserved audiences and support under-resourced publications. Want to see our reporting picked up by your local paper or radio station? Do you know a small newsroom that could benefit from a free source of quality regional environmental journalism? Please share: Editors can fill out this form to get access to story elements and notifications about our latest pieces. Questions? Email info@agwaterdesk.org. Thanks!

Pigs fill pens in a farm
Officials stand in a wooded area

Animal waste and agrochemicals are leading cause of fish kills in Iowa waterways | By Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest -- June 1, 2023

Illegal pot trade linked to Mexican drug cartels leaves contaminants, dead animals behind | By Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal -- June 1, 2023

Tall sea grass in wetlands
Logo for Sea Change podcast

Many wetlands to lose federal protections after U.S. Supreme Court ruling | By Caitlin Looby & Madeline Heim, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -- May 25, 2023

Sea Change podcast: If I get called "resilient" one more time... | By Carly Berlin & Halle Parker, WWNO-New Orleans Public Radio -- May 23, 2023


Share your story ideas and news tips!

If you have a story idea, we want to hear from you! Whether it's local news you think merits basin-wide context, research or reports we may have missed, an interesting person you think we should meet or an environmental theme you'd like to see us dig into -- please send your tips and pitches our way. You can reply to this email or reach us any time at info@agwaterdesk.org. Thank you!


Photo credits, L-R from top | Drake White-Bergey, Wisconsin Watch (aerial support provided By Lighthawk); Katie Peikes, Harvest Public Media; Andrew Breig, Daily Memphian; Geoff Stellfox & Nick Rohlman, The Gazette; Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest; Sam Upshaw Jr., Louisville Courier Journal; Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Carly Berlin, WNWO-New Orleans Public Radio. Header: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Great! You’ve successfully signed up.

Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.

You've successfully subscribed to Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.

Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.

Success! Your billing info has been updated.

Your billing was not updated.