Agriculture

Barges grounded by low water halt Mississippi River traffic
The unusually low water level in the lower Mississippi River is causing barges to get stuck in the mud and sand. That's disrupting river travel for shippers, recreational boaters and even passengers on a cruise line.
Foraging food from our landscape
The temperatures have dropped. The leaves are changing. And people across Minnesota are getting outdoors to savor the season — but Alan Bergo really savors it. He goes by “The Forager Chef.” He’s built a career on plucking food from our landscape and turning it into gourmet dishes. He says you can do it, too.
CO2 pipeline proposal draws mixed reactions in SW Minn.
Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions has positioned its CO2 pipeline project as a way to combat climate change. But some environmental groups and landowners say their safety concerns haven’t been answered.
Ducks offer clues to avian influenza risk
The deadly avian influenza virus is once again showing up on Minnesota poultry farms. There's concern the fall waterfowl migration might bring a resurgence of the virus that killed millions of turkeys and chickens in the spring. There's a nationwide effort to monitor the virus in wild waterfowl, including here in Minnesota.
The secret to farming on Mars? A bit of alfalfa
Farming on Earth can be challenging enough with intensifying droughts and climate events. But a team of researchers is trying to figure out how to grow food on Mars — and they might have found a way. Pooja Kasiviswanathan joined Appetites to share her breakthrough research.
This is the season for collecting wild rice across northern Minnesota. Ricers have been out in canoes harvesting the crop from lakes and rivers. To preserve that rice, and give it the trademark nutty, smoky flavor involves a process of parching, jigging, winnowing and fellowship.
Fungal pathogen affecting apple trees found in Minnesota for first time
A fungal pathogen that can cause defoliation of apple and crabapple trees has been found in Minnesota for the first time. Agriculture officials say they’re “cautiously optimistic” that it will not significantly affect apple production in the state.