nitrate pollution

Land Line: Soil Health Survey, Central MN Nitrogen Pollution, Bucking the Nitro Trend, New Food Movement?, New Crop Barriers, CAFOS & Climate, Ag Policy Post-Blue Wave

By Brian DeVore (editor)
November 11, 2026

Sign Up for E-mail Delivery of The Land Line Soil Health Survey: 5 Key Takeaways from Minnesota Farmers (10/29/26) Minnesota Crop News reports on the results of a survey of 1,100 farmers across Minnesota to better understand their perspectives on soil management and soil health practices. Highlights: Over 80% of respondents feel a responsibility to…  Read More →

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Ear to the Ground 416: A Logical Approach

Myron Sylling approaches farming from a no-nonsense, cause-and-effect point of view. So, he asks, if a reliance on heavy dosages of fertilizer is costing producers money while polluting our water, what’s keeping us from building a less nitrate-tainted farming system? (last in a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 415: Raise Your Hand

Lance Petersen feels strongly that as agriculture’s regulatory future related to nitrate pollution is being debated, one thing is certain: farmers like himself need to be in the room, at the table, and taking part in the discussion. (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen Campaign •…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 414: Refish the Nish

What do you do when your county has the highest cancer rate in the state and the local river experiences a catastrophic fish kill? Denise O’Brien, Larry Harris, and their neighbors responded by asking an important question: “What’s in the water?” (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • Nishnabotna Water…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 413: The View from Downstream

Making sure 600,000 people are consistently consuming water that meets health standards for nitrates is Amy Kahler’s job. That’s a big challenge when the land upstream is some of the most productive crop ground in the country. (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen Campaign • Other…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 412: ABG

Nutrient management expert Matthew Helmers has researched how certain land use practices can have a “disproportionate impact” when it comes to nitrate pollution reduction. He says it all starts with focusing on a simple mantra: “always be growing.” (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen Campaign •…  Read More →

Ear to the Ground 411: Run Silent, Run Deep

The MPCA’s Justin Watkins sees nitrates leaking out of farm fields as an “invisible” problem that’s all too easily ignored. The solution is to shine a spotlight on widespread systems changes in agriculture. (part of a series on nitrates, farming, and water) More Information • LSP’s Rethink Nitrogen Campaign • Other Episodes in LSP’s Rethink…  Read More →

Land Line: Regenerative Ag Mixed Bag, High Input Costs, Crop Insurance, Cropland Ecology, Fertilizer Use, Avian Flu’s Bovine Jump, Meat Processing

By Brian DeVore (editor)
October 8, 2026

Sign Up for E-mail Delivery of The Land Line USDA’s Regenerative Pilot Program Expansion Contradicts Farm Bill’s Funding Cuts (10/2/26) Brownfield Radio Network reports on the USDA’s plans to expand its Regenerative Pilot Program and concerns that conservation program cuts will undermine its implementation. Highlights: The USDA announced increased financial assistance for the Regenerative Pilot…  Read More →

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Land Line: Riverview, Suppressing Speech? Groundwater, Archived Nitrogen, Unsafe Lettuce, Saving Ag From Itself, Wendell Berry, Jostocks’ Risk Reduction

By Brian DeVore (editor)
September 11, 2026

Sign Up for E-mail Delivery of The Land Line Stevens County OKs Permit for Expansion of Riverview’s West River Dairy (9/8/26) The West Central Tribune reports that the Stevens County Board of Commissioners has given the green light to what will be the largest dairy operation in Minnesota history. Highlights: Morris, Minn.-based Riverview is seeking…  Read More →

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Land Line: Grazing Legislation, Diversification Barriers, Nitrate Cancer Review, Riverview Lawsuit, Devil’s Element, Local Meat Processing, Returning to the Farm

By Brian DeVore (editor)
August 26, 2026

Sign Up for E-mail Delivery of The Land Line RANCH Act Introduced to Help Rebuild Cattle Herd (8/21/26) Beef Magazine reports that two U.S. Senators have introduced a bipartisan bill that has the goal of boosting the grazing of beef cattle on perennial grasses and forbs. Highlights:  The “Rebuilding America’s National Cow Herd (RANCH) Act,”…  Read More →

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