Environment

A tractor spraying paraquat on the Cox ranch. (Photo courtesy of Shirley Cox)

Paraquat, the Deadliest Chemical in US Agriculture, Goes on Trial

March 22, 2023

Amid lawsuits filed by thousands of farmers linking the herbicide to Parkinson’s disease, the EPA is reconsidering its analysis of paraquat’s risks.

The IPCC’s Latest Climate Report Is a Final Alarm for Food Systems, Too

By Lisa Held

March 20, 2023

PAJARO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: In an aerial view, floodwaters fill the streets on March 14, 2023 in Pajaro, California. Northern California has been hit by another atmospheric river that has brought heavy rains and flooding throughout the region. The town has been inundated with floodwaters since Saturday after a levee was breached along the Pajaro River. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

This Farm Bill Really Matters. We Explain Why.

By Lisa Held

March 20, 2023

a trio of illustrations showing a black farmer, corn growing in front of the US Capitol Building, and a white woman with a baby paying for groceries with a SNAP-enabled card

Supreme Court Case Could Reshape Indigenous Water Rights in the Southwest

By Virginia Gewin

March 15, 2023

A close-up view of center-pivot irrigation watering corn on NAPI farmland. (Photo courtesy of NAPI)

Alaska’s Climate-Driven Fisheries Collapse Is Devastating Indigenous Communities

By Kate Nelson

March 13, 2023

An Alaskan king crab trap and fishing vessel.

Farmers March for Urgent Climate Action in DC

By Lisa Held

March 9, 2023

The Rally for Resilience marches to the U.S. Capitol building. Signs at the front read

After Centuries of Exploitation, Will Indigenous Communities in Biodiversity Hotspots Finally Get Their Due?

By Mark Schapiro

March 7, 2023

Sailing in a wooden boat on the Amazon river in Peru. An indigenous girl sitting on the front of the boat whilst sailing down the river.

Health Concerns Grow as Oklahoma Farmers Fertilize Cropland with Treated Sewage

By Tom Perkins

February 28, 2023

A farm tractor spreads biosolids on a farm field in Geneva, Illinois. (Photo CC-licensed by the City of Geneva)

Once Scorned, Birds Are Returning to Farms

By Twilight Greenaway

February 27, 2023

A Western Bluebird leaving its nestbox on a farm. (Photo credit: Kevin Cole)

As the US Pressures Mexico to Import GM Corn, Can It Preserve Its Traditional Varieties?

By Lisa Held

February 23, 2023

A Mexican farmer holds a basket of corn to sell.

Perennial Crops Boost Biodiversity Both On and Off Farms. Researchers Explain How.

By Christina Cooke

February 16, 2023

Mallard eggs sit in a nest in a Kernza field. (Photo courtesy of courtesy of the University of Manitoba)

The Edges Matter: Hedgerows Are Bringing Life Back to Farms

By Anne Marshall-Chalmers

February 14, 2023

Calls Grow for a Farm Bill that Serves ‘All of Us, Not Just Corporations’

By Lisa Held

February 8, 2023

A farmer of color tends crops on his diversified farm in hopes of getting more support from the farm bill in 2023

An Ancient Grain Made New Again: How Sorghum Could Help U.S. Farms Adapt to Climate Change

By Dana Cronin

February 7, 2023

A USDA scientist examines sorghum plants. (USDA photo by Peggy Greb)

Comic: Adapting Corn for Tortillas—and New Markets—in the Pacific Northwest

By Nhatt Nichols

February 1, 2023

A two-panel comic of a test farm hoop house growing corn and cactus and other crops on the left, with chef lisette garay working in her restaurant kitchen on the right.

For Melon Farmers, Insects’ Benefits May Outweigh Their Costs

By Ian Rose

January 31, 2023

A two-spotted long horn bee visits a watermelon flower (Photo credit: Ashley Leach)

Does Pastoralism Have a Place in the Future of Food?

By Kayla Frost

January 24, 2023

Ilse-Kohler-Rollefson, a camel, and the cover of the new book, hoofprints on the land

The Field Report: New Research Shows Dangerous Levels of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Freshwater Fish

By Lisa Held

January 18, 2023

a fisherman pulls a largemouth bass that is probably polluted with PFAS from a freshwater lake

Op-ed: Some Regenerative Farms Are Weathering California’s Unprecedented Rainfall

By Ryan Peterson

January 13, 2023

SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: In an aerial view, water floods a vineyard on January 09, 2023 in Santa Rosa, California. The San Francisco Bay Area and much of Northern California continues to get drenched by powerful atmospheric river events that have brought high winds and flooding rains. The storms have toppled trees, flooded roads and cut power to tens of thousands. Storms are lined up over the Pacific Ocean and are expected to bring more rain and wind through the end of the week. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Kristin Ohlson Wants Us to Reimagine Collaboration on the Land

By Lee Van der Voo

January 11, 2023

Kristin Ohlson and the cover of her book, sweet in tooth and claw

Our Best Op-eds and Commentary of 2022

By The Civil Eats Editors

December 29, 2022

Indian farmers shout anti-government slogans during a protest against new farm laws in December 2020. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)

Our Best Climate Reporting of 2022

By The Civil Eats Editors

December 22, 2022

Harvesting corn at Estrem Farms in Nerstrand, Minnesota.

The Field Report: Reflecting on a Big Year for Food News

By Lisa Held

December 21, 2022

Goverment Capitol building in Washington DC with autumn park and green floor and blue sky , USA, United States of America

Insect Farms are Scaling Up—and Crossing the Atlantic—in a Play for Sustainable Protein

By Lynn Fantom

December 20, 2022

A black soldier fly. (Photo courtesy of Protix)

As Climate Changes Makes Desert Water Scarce, the Debate Over Livestock vs. Wildlife Heats Up

By Leorah Gavidor

December 19, 2022

Desert Bighorn Sheeps in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. California.

Environment

Paraquat, the Deadliest Chemical in US Agriculture, Goes on Trial

The IPCC’s Latest Climate Report Is a Final Alarm for Food Systems, Too

This Farm Bill Really Matters. We Explain Why.

Supreme Court Case Could Reshape Indigenous Water Rights in the Southwest

Alaska’s Climate-Driven Fisheries Collapse Is Devastating Indigenous Communities

Today’s food system is complex.

Farmers March for Urgent Climate Action in DC

After Centuries of Exploitation, Will Indigenous Communities in Biodiversity Hotspots Finally Get Their Due?

Health Concerns Grow as Oklahoma Farmers Fertilize Cropland with Treated Sewage

Once Scorned, Birds Are Returning to Farms

As the US Pressures Mexico to Import GM Corn, Can It Preserve Its Traditional Varieties?

Perennial Crops Boost Biodiversity Both On and Off Farms. Researchers Explain How.

The Edges Matter: Hedgerows Are Bringing Life Back to Farms

Calls Grow for a Farm Bill that Serves ‘All of Us, Not Just Corporations’

An Ancient Grain Made New Again: How Sorghum Could Help U.S. Farms Adapt to Climate Change

Comic: Adapting Corn for Tortillas—and New Markets—in the Pacific Northwest

Thank you for being a loyal reader.

For Melon Farmers, Insects’ Benefits May Outweigh Their Costs

Does Pastoralism Have a Place in the Future of Food?

The Field Report: New Research Shows Dangerous Levels of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Freshwater Fish

Op-ed: Some Regenerative Farms Are Weathering California’s Unprecedented Rainfall

Kristin Ohlson Wants Us to Reimagine Collaboration on the Land

Our Best Op-eds and Commentary of 2022

Our Best Climate Reporting of 2022

The Field Report: Reflecting on a Big Year for Food News

Insect Farms are Scaling Up—and Crossing the Atlantic—in a Play for Sustainable Protein

As Climate Changes Makes Desert Water Scarce, the Debate Over Livestock vs. Wildlife Heats Up