Investigate Midwest staff

Farm Bill lobbying interests

As part of a project with Harvest Public Media, the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting analyzed electronic federal lobbying reports to get a closer look at who lobbied on the 2014 Farm Bill. Access the results and data here.

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 14 Jul 2014

Reporter’s guide: investigating water quality and quantity

Government reports have recently found that the U.S. water supply is in jeopardy, both in terms of quantity and quality. Here are tools for reporters to research water issues.

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 28 Jun 2014

Reporter’s guide: investigating water quality and quantity

GAO report on freshwater: supply concerns continue and uncertainties complicate planning

In May, the Government Accountability Office released a report that looked at U.S. freshwater availability. The report found that, since an earlier investigation in 2003, the state of the water supply in the United States has worsened. Furthermore, a survey of state water managers found that 40 out

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 22 Jun 2014

GAO report on freshwater: supply concerns continue and uncertainties complicate planning

National Climate Assessment: White House assessment warns that climate change means more than drought

A White House assessment revealed that climate change will affect the agriculture industry in several ways. Rising temperatures will cause some crops to no longer be productive, while also creating ideal conditions for insects. More extreme weather events will rapidly erode the soil and cause planti

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 18 Jun 2014

National Climate Assessment: White House assessment warns that climate change means more than drought

OIG Report: USDA paid billions in improper payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported an estimated $6.2 billion in improper payments in 2013, according to an Office of Inspector General’s April report. Read the report here.

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 28 May 2014

OIG Report: USDA paid billions in improper payments

The 2012 Ag Census on Twitter

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released preliminary data today on the 2012 Agriculture Census - taken every five years - during its Ag Outlook Forum in Arlington, Va. Investigate Midwest reporter Sam Robinson is reporting live this week. Here's a quick look at the latest data.

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 20 Feb 2014

Settlement payments for black farmers in years-old lawsuit now released

Timothy Pigford sued the United states Department of Agriculture in 1997 because he believed black producers were being denied loans. Pigford's case resulted in the largest civil rights settlement in the history of the United States. Yet, many black producers who joined the settlement have only rece

By Sam Robinson/Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting and Investigate Midwest staff

/ 18 Feb 2014

Settlement payments for black farmers in years-old lawsuit now released

Covering agribusiness: a Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting Webinar

On Sept. 18, 2013, The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting and Poynter Institute conducted a Webinar on covering agribusiness. The Webinar included information about finding documents and people for stories, along with information about coming up with story ideas in any area.

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 23 Sep 2013

Covering agribusiness: a Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting Webinar

New Center for Investigative Reporting project tackles rape, harassment on America's farms

A new report by The Center for Investigative Reporting found that hundreds of female agricultural workers have complained to the federal government about being raped and assaulted, verbally and physically harassed on the job, while law enforcement has done almost nothing to prosecute potential crime

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 26 Jun 2013

New Center for Investigative Reporting project tackles rape, harassment on America's farms

Agribusiness Workshop a Success

More than two dozens journalists from throughout the U.S. gathered in Champaign, Ill. for an intense three-day workshop on covering big agribusiness companies.

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 2 Jun 2013

Sunshine Week on the Farm

In the spirit of Sunshine Week, the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting looked at the laws in place or under consideration that impact reporting on the agriculture industry. A Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting analysis found that there are nearly 40 laws now under consideration - mor

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 14 Mar 2013

Apply now for all-expense paid reporting workshop

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting and co-sponsor Investigative Reporters and Editors are seeking applications for an all-expense paid workshop on covering agribusiness

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 3 Mar 2013

Farm Bill lobbying interests

Reporter’s guide: investigating water quality and quantity

GAO report on freshwater: supply concerns continue and uncertainties complicate planning

National Climate Assessment: White House assessment warns that climate change means more than drought

OIG Report: USDA paid billions in improper payments

The 2012 Ag Census on Twitter

Settlement payments for black farmers in years-old lawsuit now released

Covering agribusiness: a Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting Webinar

New Center for Investigative Reporting project tackles rape, harassment on America's farms

Agribusiness Workshop a Success

Sunshine Week on the Farm

Apply now for all-expense paid reporting workshop

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