Agriculture Archives

Hogs are raised on Duncan Farms near Polo, Illinois.

Environment

How Litigation Has Become Rural America’s Best Bet to Curb Farm Pollution

Those living near factory farms have to contend with noxious odors, toxic emissions, and swarms of insects, and have had little success in obtaining relief—but that is changing.

Sacoby Wilson

Economics

Breaking Down the Complex Case of Antibiotic Use in Animal Agriculture

Due to a mix of factors around the issue there is a risk we may be moving toward a non-ideal situation for animals and humans alike.

Michael von Massow & Alfons Weersink

Environment

How Chicken Activists in California Broke the Law to Start a Reasonable Debate About Animal Cruelty

A protest in Petaluma, California, prompts the question: Do we have a right to help farm animals that are suffering?

James McWilliams

Environment

Could Hemp Be a Lifeline for Struggling Farmers?

Hemp, which produces valuable CBD oil, is set to become recognized as an agricultural crop this year, and could provide a much needed influx of revenue for Western agriculture.

Matt Weiser

Environment

Monitoring the Dangerous Decline of Wild Bees

Bees are an essential part of food production and a healthy ecosystem, so following the rise and fall their populations is essential.

Kelsey K. Graham

Left: Vegetation surrounding Señor Rogelio's house in San Ramón. | Right: The Aprodes field site in San Ramón.

The Edit, Episode #10: The Great, Chaotic Biochar Experiment

On the latest episode of Pacific Standard's podcast about how our stories are made, a feature story about Australian plant ecologist Brenton Ladd—an outsider who wants to save the region's trees.

Pacific Standard Staff

Traffic on Highway 4 travels along a canal in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Environment

California’s Delta Tunnels Project Has Funding, but Regulatory Issues Remain

A recent funding decision has put the ambitious water project on firmer financial ground, but California Water Fix must still clear numerous regulatory and legal hurdles.

Tara Lohan

Environment

Uncovering the Literal Roots of Your Ideology

New research suggests our ancestors' agricultural practices may have shaped our beliefs and assumptions.

Tom Jacobs

Kim Wasserman has been fighting for environmental justice in Little Village for two decades.

How Chicago’s Mexican Immigrants Are Fighting Toxic Air Pollution

In 2012, Little Village residents helped shut down a coal plant. Now, a redevelopment company plans to build a distribution center in its place, bringing more dirty trucks to the neighborhood.

Sophie Yeo

News in Brief

The Bug-Filled Future of Feed

Insects are poised to reinvent industrial animal agriculture.

James McWilliams