agriculture

Thai and Burmese fishing boat workers sit inside a cell at the compound of a fishing company in Benjina, Indonesia on Nov. 22, 2014. The imprisoned men were considered slaves who might run away.

Beyond Brothels: Farms And Fisheries Are Frontier Of Human Trafficking

2:41pm July 30, 2015

by Tracie McMillan

The State Department's annual human trafficking report this year gives special attention to slavery in agriculture and fishing. Human rights advocates say there's much work to be done to fight it.

A worker picks clingstone peaches in Greece. Most of the country's farms are small and family owned. Production costs can be high, and Greek farmers have had trouble competing internationally.

World News

For Greece's Farmers, Growing Pressure To Be More Competitive

2:36pm July 28, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

Greece grows plenty of good agricultural products, but has trouble competing internationally. Many in Greece say it's time for the farm sector to modernize.

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Almond orchards across California are dealing with trees showing signs of stress from the drought, such as smaller nuts and salt-burned leaves.

Salt Is Slowly Crippling California's Almond Industry

4:48pm July 27, 2015

by Ezra David Romero

California's ongoing drought has forced many almond growers to use groundwater on the thirsty crop. The problem: That water is high in salt, and it's killing almond trees.

Farmers blocked the road to Mont Saint-Michel, the tourist attraction seen in the distance.

World News

Irate French Farmers Block Tourist Sites To Protest Low Meat And Dairy Prices

11:59am July 21, 2015

by Lucy Perkins

President Francois Hollande said he would present an emergency package of measures that would give farmers tax breaks and financial aid to save them from bankruptcy, the Telegraph reports.

Workers with Ceria wait for a pipe-welding machine to finish connecting two sections of plastic irrigation pipe in Bario, Malaysia. The company has brought mechanized farming to the Kelabit Highlands.

World News

Mechanization Brings Quick Change To Borneo Region Known For 'Slow Rice'

2:15pm July 06, 2015

by Karen Coates

A company is introducing mechanized rice farming to the interior of Malaysian Borneo for the first time. Scientists say the change may damage the bonds between the local people and their environment.

"Who Gets Kissed" corn is a variety bred in Wisconsin specifically for organic farmers. It's named for an old game. At corn husking time, a lucky person who found a rare ear of corn with red kernels had the right to kiss anyone that he or she chose.

Science

Do Organic Farmers Need Special Seeds And Money To Breed Them?

3:16pm July 02, 2015

by Dan Charles

Organic farmers say they need crop varieties that were bred specifically for conditions on their farms. Clif Bar & Company decided to back their cause with up to $10 million in grants.

National

Concern Grows Over Unregulated Pesticide Use Among Marijuana Growers

7:19am June 17, 2015

by Luke Runyon

Regulators in the 23 states where medical or recreational marijuana is allowed are having a tough time making sure pot buyers don't ingest harmful pesticides.

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Cattle stand in floodwaters at 44 Farms in Cameron, Texas. The water demolished fences and ruined crops planted as feed.

Texas Cattle Ranchers Whipsawed Between Drought And Deluge

8:08am June 09, 2015

by Andrew Schneider

Years of drought have taken a toll on agriculture, particularly cattle ranching. Now instead of too little water, there's too much. But the rains may revive pastures and allow rebuilding of herds.

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Environment

Bill Would Allow Farmers To Burn Plastics Without Permit

7:55am June 08, 2015

by Keri Brown

A proposed bill would allow farmers in North Carolina to burn their p

A row of newly planted organic tomatoes on April 23, 2015 in Firebaugh, Calif. Some farmers are moving tomato production to the north of the state where water supplies are better.

National

Drought May Cost California's Farmers Almost $3 Billion In 2015

7:52am June 04, 2015

by Sam Sanders

The state's farmers could also be out more than 18,000 jobs, with 564,000 acres fallowed by the end of 2015, researchers at UC Davis write in a new report.