Agriculture

From a field on an Illinois university campus, to rare, untouched land in Texas, here are some efforts to replant once-abundant prairie in the Midwest and Great Plains.

When beekeepers saw widespread honeybee die-offs last year, researchers at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center stepped in to help. The Trump administration now plans to close the facility, sparking concern among beekeepers and scientists.

Refugees and other immigrants are no longer eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as states implement a federal rule change. The restriction is one of many moves that has made it harder for immigrants to access federal benefits.

Agriculture leaders and producers are urging Congress to allow year-round sales of fuel made with up to 15% ethanol, which they say could boost domestic demand for corn — and offer a cheaper gas option for U.S. drivers this summer.

A key waterway in the Middle East known the Straits of Hormuz is blocked off because of the war, which is preventing large amounts of oil, natural gas and nitrogen-based fertilizer to get through.

Higher costs and lower prices are squeezing farmers out of profitability. That’s led many to file for bankruptcy as a last resort to find aid.

Chapters of FFA, once called Future Farmers of America, are becoming more common in city schools. Program advisors say students are learning skills that can help them work in a wide range of industries — from biotech to cosmetology.

Months of dry conditions are turning into a normal spring with forecasted rainfall, according to the USDA.

Maple Moon SugarBush and Winery in Petoskey sustained major damage to tubing used to collect sap this time of year.

The Trump administration's federal workforce cuts shrunk U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies that inspect produce, provide conservation resources and collect data on crops and livestock. It's creating longer wait times for farmers seeking federal services and programs, people working in agriculture say.