The Rural Blog

A digest of events, trends, issues, ideas and journalism from and about rural America, by the Institute for Rural Journalism, based at the University of Kentucky. Links may expire, require subscription or go behind pay walls. Please send news and knowledge you think would be useful to benjy.hamm@uky.edu.

The Rural Blog

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Regenerative-ag farmers had to persuade Trump to sign order over opposition from Farm Bureau boss in Oval Office

Many farmers share positive experiences about using Roundup, despite possible links to cancer

Is organic farming possible for large agricultural operations? In Iowa, it has been successful, and the trend is growing.

USDA has new rules for organic food suppliers, but many in its complex distribution chain may not be ready

Southern organic farmers are a rarity because it's a harder way to grow crops, but it may become more common

After 17 years of debate, Iowans will be able to buy raw milk, but health questions remain; 18 other states ban sales

Opinion: Organic farms are paying off as financiers provide the land and tenant farmers cultivate the crops

Maine House passes bill banning sewage sludge that can have 'forever chemicals' and is commonly used as fertilizer

Fresh veggie imports up 200% in past two decades; USDA digital magazine Amber Waves has more data-rich reports

USDA announces $12 billion agriculture aid program; aims to reach smaller producers overlooked in previous aid

National Farmers Market Week runs through Saturday

Middle Eastern farming techniques and skills are the secret to success of organic vegetable farmers in New York state

Maple season is arriving in New England; demand for natural syrup has turned cottage industry into a big business

U.S. is world's largest corn grower but imports organic corn

USDA kills animal welfare rules for organic meat

Fund redevelops rural and small-town properties to help fund nonprofits in Appalachian Kentucky

USDA withdraws tougher rules for organic eggs

Large firms that are squeezing organic-milk farmers may not follow the same grazing standards

Large imports of food labeled 'organic' have turned out not to be organic; part of a weak system

Rural farmers' markets struggle to adapt to changing consumer needs, but can stay relevant