July 15, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports that many farmers in northwest Minnesota aren't sure how much longer they can hang on after several years of crop failure. Minnesota Farm Service Agency officials are adding up the damage from wet fields in northern and western Minnesota. A report will go to Governor Pawlenty in preparation for seeking a federal disaster declaration.
October 12, 2005 - As part of the series “Polluted Waters - Costly Cleanup,” MPR’s Mark Steil reports on ditch systems in Minnesota and their impact on water quality issues in the state.
August 29, 2006 - Minneapolis Leslie Bell visits the Miracle of Birth Center where you can see all sorts of farm animals giving birth…including sheep.
August 31, 2006 - Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball snuck into the poultry barn a bit early this morning, to hear what it sounds like when hundreds of roosters wake up together.
September 15, 2006 - MPR's Ambar Espinoza reports on New Immigrant Agriculture Project, a specialized project that helps immigrant farmers continue their agrarian lifestyle in this country. Almost 80 farmers (mostly Hmong, Latino and Somali) pay subsidized lease rates to rent crop land. The program leases acreage to farmers for three years, until they're eligible for loans to buy land.
February 21, 2007 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports on local discussions on federal farm dollars and how subsidies are spent. Southern Minnesota farmers told Minnesota 1st District Representative Tim Walz they want changes made in the legislation to help small farmers. The meeting in Worthington is one of several Walz will hold. It's a discussion which touches just about anyone who owns farmland anywhere in the U.S.
July 19, 2007 - MPR’s Roseanne Pereria reports that while farming runs deep in the Hmong culture, many Hmong farmers are isolated both by culture and language from the rest of U.S. agriculture. They often have difficulty getting resources and finding information. Pereria interviews one local grower who work towards changing that.
August 31, 2007 - MPR’s Nikki Tundel reports on activities of Minnesota 4-Hers after a day with their livestock at Minnesota State Fair. One of these activities includes a dance celebration in swine barn with fellow young 4-Hers competitors after the sun goes down.
July 14, 2008 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Mee Moua, a Minnesota state senator, about the impact on Hmong farmers after a storm devastated crops south of the Twin Cities. The many small plots of crops are important to their family income. Moua discusses State Capitol efforts to find ways to support farmers affected.
August 6, 2008 - MPR’s Mark Steil reports on The Farmfest Congressional Forum near Redwood Falls. Two incumbents were there, Democrats Collin Peterson and Tim Walz; as well as a number of challengers from several congressional races around the state. During the forum at the annual agricultural show, the candidates spent most of their time on the federal farm program and the nation's energy policy.