Harvest Public Media

Commercial chicken farmers literally bet the farm, spending millions of dollars on land and enormous chicken houses to raise birds they never own — putting their livelihoods in the hands of a single company that is both their supplier and sole buyer. When Tyson closed a processing plant in southeast Missouri, some farmers facing bankruptcy decided to sue.

Even as the tropical-tasting fruit gains popularity through farmer's markets and festivals, the pawpaw faces big hurdles to reaching a mass market.

Recent data shows food inflation is slowing down. But with prices still much higher than they were a few years ago, grocery bills are getting a spotlight on the campaign trail.

Backyard and large-scale farmers in the Midwest and around the country report more deliveries that arrive too late for baby birds to survive. The trend is part of complaints about the USPS as it tries to stem budgetary bleeding.

Cattle contribute more greenhouse gases than other livestock. The reasons behind that have some ranchers trying to address environmental impacts, while experts say there are also ways for you to curb your plate’s climate footprint.

Corn sweat is a summertime phenomenon that happens when the crop releases water into the air. It can add to humidity, but local scientists say it likely wasn’t the main force behind the late August heat wave.

Water scarcity could threaten the Midwest as climate change puts pressure on water systems. With that scarcity, legal fights over water could become more common.

Researchers at the University of Missouri say they’ve created a new vaccine to protect cattle from bovine anaplasmosis. The disease is estimated to cost U.S. ranchers millions each year.

A small insect carrying pathogens that can lead to corn stunt was confirmed in Missouri and Oklahoma for the first time. Experts are learning more about the insect and how the disease left its mark on corn fields.

The longest-run Black rodeo in the nation, the Roy LeBlanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo takes place every year in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. This year, hundreds of spectators and competitors from across the country celebrated the rodeo’s 69th anniversary.