Farming

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.

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.

Farmers say higher prices are essential to grow food that’s good for the environment.

Regenerative agriculture can make farmland resilient to climate impacts but requires a large initial investment.