Investigate Midwest

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting is a nonprofit newsroom that operates independently, dedicated to informing the public about important issues in the Midwest. It particularly emphasizes agribusiness, along with related subjects like government initiatives, environmental concerns, and energy matters. Founded in 2009 by journalist Mike Sherry, this Center aims to offer training and education for students, professional journalists, and community members. Its goal is to enhance understanding of agribusiness and its effects at local, regional, and global levels. The Center also plans to leverage both traditional and cutting-edge digital tools to analyze data on agribusiness and share its findings widely.

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Canceling unsubstantiated climate-smart claims should start with Tyson Foods

1 day ago | investigatemidwest.org | Dave Dickey

Tyson Foods’ claim that it could reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through “climate-smart beef” is laughable. The brass at Tyson unveiled its magical greenhouse gas-canceling Brazen Beef at the 2023 Annual Meal Conference in Dallas. Tyson told anyone willing to listen that Brazen Beef produces 10% less greenhouse gas emissions from pasture to production when compared to traditionally produced cattle. Which is a pretty neat trick.
Several hundred workers who keep invasive pests out of the US accept Trump’s buyouts - Investigate Midwest

1 week ago | investigatemidwest.org | Sky Chadde |Investigate Midwest

Several hundred federal employees who help keep invasive pests and plant diseases out of the United States have accepted buyout offers from the Trump administration, which could leave the agricultural industry vulnerable to the destruction of valuable crops, according to two sources familiar with the matter. About 3,000 employees work in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection and Quarantine division.
Our reader survey results are in. Here's what you shared. - Investigate Midwest

1 week ago | investigatemidwest.org | Lauren Cross |Investigate Midwest

In February, we launched our first audience survey and kept it open for five weeks – and your feedback is already shaping what comes next. While the sample size (124) is not enough to be fully representative of our readership base, these responses reflect some of our most engaged readers – many with deep roots in agriculture, rural communities and food systems. Here’s a breakdown of who you are and where you live.
Bill seeks to increase farmland access for young farmers and ranchers

1 week ago | investigatemidwest.org | Ben Felder |Investigate Midwest

A bipartisan-backed bill in Congress seeks to help young farmers and ranchers gain better access to farmland, responding to a growing challenge recently highlighted by Investigate Midwest. The New Producer Economic Security Act would increase access to low- and no-interest loans for new farmers, support state and Tribal governments in purchasing land to be made available to young producers, and fund access to legal services related to land acquisition.
One Iowa landowner fights to farm a designated wetland. Others could face consequences downstream.

1 week ago | investigatemidwest.org | Jared Strong |Jess Savage |Illan Martin Ireland

DELAWARE, Iowa — In northeast Iowa, a wispy stand of trees looks out of place. It is surrounded by crop fields on the north side of a four-lane highway, an oasis of nature that is uncommon in rural Iowa, where farming every inch of land is paramount. Its owner hopes to cut and till it for cropland. But he can’t do it without risking his business. For now.
GALLERY: Highlights from Investigate Midwest’s Live Storytelling Night

1 week ago | investigatemidwest.org | Lauren Cross |Investigate Midwest

We recently brought back our Live Storytelling series in Iowa City — and the photos are in. Co-produced with the University of Iowa Events Management Certification program, the night featured five powerful voices sharing stories centered on the theme “Beyond Stereotypes: The Modern Man.”Scroll through the gallery below to relive the April 9 event held at The Graduate Hotel, from the heartfelt performances to the energy in the room.
Why climate change is a big worry for farmers in this Colorado county

1 week ago | investigatemidwest.org | Ben Felder |Investigate Midwest

Less than half of residents in farming-dependent counties say they are worried about climate change, well below the 63% national average. However, in Costilla County in south-central Colorado, more than 70% of residents said they are either somewhat or very worried about climate change, according to the 2024 Climate Opinion survey from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.
Student journalist wins University of Illinois award for livestock investigation

1 week ago | investigatemidwest.org | Lauren Cross |Investigate Midwest

University of Illinois journalism student Madison Holcomb has been awarded first place in the school’s top feature writing competition for her investigation into livestock deaths during transit, published by Investigate Midwest. Her story, “Millions of livestock die each year while being transported. Those cases are rarely investigated by the USDA,” was recognized in the Marian and Barney Brody Creative Feature Article Writing Awards, which honor the top student-written feature stories each year.
Tariff is Trump’s favorite word — but for soybean farmers, it spells trouble - Investigate Midwest

2 weeks ago | investigatemidwest.org | Mónica Cordero |Investigate Midwest

While President Donald Trump’s increase of tariffs — and retaliatory tariffs from other countries — will likely mean fewer U.S. agricultural exports, the president has consistently suggested that American farmers can make up the difference by selling more of their products at home. “Get ready to start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States,” Trump wrote in a social media post on March 3.
The EPA’s crusade against climate science is a fool’s errand

2 weeks ago | investigatemidwest.org | Dave Dickey

The nation’s climate denier-in-chief, President Donald Trump, has wasted no time throwing monkey wrenches into federal efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That includes scrubbing websites. The Environmental Data and Government Initiative reports the feds have already deleted climate change language from more than 200 websites, including the Environmental Protection Agency. But buried deep in the EPA web pages, unreachable from the home page, is EPA’s Climate Change Impacts page.