Data Harvest These 17 charts tell the story of the US food system in 2025 A highlight of our most important data visualizations and what they say about the state of agriculture. By Ben Felder, Investigate Midwest / 23 Dec 2025
Data Harvest Use of this 2,4-D weed killer is exploding in Illinois farming country Since 2017, use of the herbicide on soybeans has risen 341%. Researchers warn communities such as Champaign County are increasingly exposed. By Lauren Cross, Investigate Midwest / 19 Aug 2025
Agribusiness Underage workers, millions of dollars and trucks full of dead chickens — inside the business of killing in response to bird flu The federal government has a single contractor to assist with killing infected flocks, leading to delays and the use of controversial culling methods. By John McCracken, Investigate Midwest / 30 Apr 2025
Technology As the agricultural drone industry takes off, federal regulators struggle to keep up More farms are turning to drones to spray chemicals, but proposed bans and backlog of pilot applications is challenging the growing industry. By Mitchell Lierman, Investigate Midwest / 8 Jan 2025
Health Access to PPE, a critical tool in fighting bird flu, is mixed across dairy-producing states, records show States with confirmed dairy cattle bird flu cases have drastically different personal protective equipment responses. By John McCracken, Investigate Midwest / 4 Dec 2024
