Farming

Producers across the central U.S. are facing high input costs as the trade war puts crop markets in an uncertain position. Agriculture economists say they’re watching tariffs and the cattle industry — which has boosted income for some farmers.

Experiments in agrivoltaics offer a respite to extreme heat, and provide land access for new farmers.

Red crown rot stems from a fungus that lives in the soil. Its first confirmed case in Missouri was last year.

The Farm Bureau aims to reach an underinsured population, but without government oversight.

A bill that would have insulated Bayer and other chemical companies from some lawsuits failed when bipartisan opposition arose in the Missouri Senate.

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.

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.

Ujima maintains two urban farms in north St. Louis.

The 2017 escape of the St. Louis Six brought the Gentle Barn to Missouri. Its abrupt closure left volunteers abandoned and grieving.

Farmers, nonprofits and state agencies received almost $3 billion in grants from the Inflation Reduction Act in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. But recent federal funding freezes have recipients concerned they won’t end up receiving money.