Agriculture

Farmers continued to take on more debt through the first quarter of 2025, prolonging a trend from last year. That’s as farm incomes have shrunk over the last couple of years, and some worry President Trump’s tariffs could make economic conditions tougher.

Despite efforts to develop markets and genetics, Missouri's industrial hemp industry is at its lowest point in years.

The $3 billion initiative funded agriculture research and programs across the nation. Over $1.2 billion went toward 36 programs that involve Missouri.

Urban farmers in Spanish Lake and parts of Florissant could receive over $3 million in funding from the St. Louis County Council to help scale their operations to grow more food that would feed thousands of north county residents.

Certified Naturally Grown offers farmers a cheaper and less time-consuming option to communicate how they produce their food. But terms like “natural” on food labels can be confusing for consumers.

The federal funding for farmers has been terminated under President Donald Trump’s administration. Family farmers in the Metro East now face abrupt uncertainty about how to fund plans they made for their growing businesses.

USDA funds are part of nearly $2 billion being withheld from Illinois, Pritzker says.

The state ranks fifth in the country for agricultural product exports worth $10.6 billion, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Antajuan Adams is the owner and co-director of New Roots Urban Farm in north St. Louis.

The University of Missouri has been involved in the Soybean Innovation Lab since 2013. Researchers have been trying to help Missouri farmers combat a disease that can decimate soybean crops.