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Mar 28 2026OPINION

Minnesota Farms: The Backbone of Our Food

The state’s farmers are the unseen heroes that keep our plates full. Minnesota is sixth in overall farm output across the U. S. and leads in more than 20 products, such as sugar beets, turkeys, green peas, hogs, sweet corn, soybeans, sunflower seeds, canola, dry beans and oats. Corn is the fou

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Mar 26 2026EDUCATION

Ridgefield Schools Set New Course While Waiting on Finance Decision

The Ridgefield Board of Education met on March 24 to push forward several policy changes, talk about the upcoming school budget for fiscal year 2027, and look at new curriculum plans. The meeting ended with a mix of unanimous approvals, one split vote on a Title IX rule, and a talk about a fresh U.

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Mar 25 2026ENVIRONMENT

Back‑to‑Basics Farming Wins in Nebraska

Nebraska farmers are turning to simple, low‑cost methods that keep the soil alive and the profits steady. Because feed costs are high, crop prices low, and debt rising, many growers look for ways to cut expenses while staying productive. Cover crops, no‑till practices, and varied crop rotation

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Mar 22 2026ENVIRONMENT

Land changes boost farm health in semi‑dry Turkey

In many dry farming areas, tiny plots of land can make growing crops hard. A new study looked at how joining these small pieces into bigger, regular fields changes the land’s health. The research focused on four villages in Kızıltepe, a part of Mardin Province that lies inside Turkey’s GAP program.

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Mar 19 2026HEALTH

Newborns May Feel the Effects of Pesticides Even Before Conception

Researchers have found that women who live near farms where pesticides are used can give birth to babies with poorer health scores, even if the exposure happened before they become pregnant. The study examined more than 1. 1 million births in Arizona from 2006 to 2020, using the Apgar score—a qui

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Mar 19 2026ENVIRONMENT

Tulip Trouble Turns to New Adventures on a Texas Farm

A well‑known farm in central Texas that used to draw crowds for its tulip picking has faced a big challenge after a mix of dry spells, hot days, heavy rain and strong winds destroyed most of its flower crop. The Robinson family, who run the farm in Temple, Texas, announced on social media that on

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Mar 18 2026WEATHER

What Happens When the Pacific Ocean Changes Its Mood?

The Pacific Ocean is like a giant bathtub that never stops moving. Right now, it’s cooling down after a long phase called La Niña. Scientists say this phase is ending, and the ocean might warm up again soon. That warming phase is called El Niño, and it could show up as early as summer. El Niño and

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Mar 17 2026BUSINESS

Grains, Trade Checks and Weather: What Happened on March 17

Corn prices nudged up early in the morning, moving a few cents higher as farmers and traders reacted to fresh market data. May corn saw a small rise, while soybeans also edged up slightly; the byproducts of soy—meal and oil—displayed mixed movements, with meal falling and oil climbing. Wheat showed

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Mar 14 2026SCIENCE

Smart Nitrogen Use Saves Money and Protects Water

Farmers in the area are trying a new way to cut costs and keep groundwater clean. A local extension teacher started the “Nitrogen Challenge” after farmers asked if they were still adding too much fertilizer to their fields. The goal is simple: give each crop exactly the amount of nitrogen it n

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Mar 07 2026EDUCATION

A New Farm School Barn Brings Hands‑On Learning to Osceola

Osceola County is investing in its own future by building a new agricultural barn at Harmony Middle School. The structure will let students from sixth grade onward work with animals, grow plants, and learn about farm equipment. Construction is slated to start later this year, giving the school a lon

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