Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk Archives - Wisconsin Watch

A person holds a shovel that is holding a leafy plant with roots and soil attached in a green field, with a vehicle parked in the field in the background under a blue sky with some clouds.

For these faithful, nurturing the Earth is rooted in spiritual beliefs

by Madeline Heim / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel January 17, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Five activists in Wisconsin share how belief has driven them to be better stewards of the Earth.

Two green harvesting machines move across a large tan field, leaving parallel rows and dust clouds, with patchwork farmland and trees on the horizon.

Economy, Environment

China is investing billions in Latin America, potentially sidelining US farmers for decades to come

by Mónica Cordero / Investigate Midwest January 1, 2026January 15, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A person wearing a hooded sweatshirt with "STEIGER" on the front stands on grass in front of several large corrugated metal grain bins with "WESTEEL" on them.

Economy, Environment

Soybeans have been a top US ag export for decades. What happens when the top buyer stops buying?

by Cassandra Stephenson / Tennessee Lookout, Gabby Nelson / Buffalo’s Fire and Mónica Cordero / Investigate Midwest December 24, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Cows graze in a green pasture under a clear blue sky, with one black and white cow in the foreground wearing an ear tag labeled "53."

As cover crop use grows, many farmers struggle to commit to the practice

by Olivia Cohen / The Cedar Rapids Gazette November 20, 2025December 16, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Map of the United States titled “U.S. 2025 Billion-Dollar Weather & Climate Disasters” showing 14 disaster locations from January to June 2025, including tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, and Los Angeles wildfires.

Environment, Government

A tool tracking billion-dollar disasters is back after the Trump administration retired it

by Héctor Alejandro Arzate October 30, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A person wearing a hat, T-shirt, shorts, and boots walks along a sandy bank beside calm water with green trees and grass in the background.

Erosion from ravines threatens Lake Pepin — and Wisconsin communities that depend on it

by Madeline Heim / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel October 28, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Person points toward damaged buildings.

Mississippi River Basin communities launch new disaster relief effort

by Héctor Alejandro Arzate September 22, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A kayak and a small tent on sand next to a river at sunset

From Minnesota to the Gulf: Paddling all 2,400 miles of the Mississippi River is a grand adventure

by Estefanía Pinto Ruiz / KWQC-TV6 News September 19, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Poison hemlock is shown, with green leaves sprouting from a stem.

‘Highly toxic’ hemlock widespread in Midwest — and spreading

by Olivia Cohen / The Cedar Rapids Gazette August 6, 2025September 22, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Man stands among green plants.

A warming climate is changing growing conditions, shifting planting zones northward

by Olivia Cohen / The Cedar Rapids Gazette July 25, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A person pours feed from a bag into a muddy enclosure with several spotted pigs, surrounded by fencing and trees in the background.

Wisconsin pig farmer holds on at Wonderfarm as Washington breaks a promise

by Bennet Goldstein / Wisconsin Watch July 2, 2025August 20, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Two men stand near metal gates and an animal at a farm.

Trump’s tariffs are hurting US agriculture. Some farmers support them anyway.

by Illan Ireland / Mississippi Free Press June 18, 2025June 18, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch