Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 135 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

How a new grain could help combat climate change

Megan Thompson Mark Bittman Melanie Saltzman

November 16, 2019 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, St. Paul, Minnesota

Planting perennial grains for human consumption retains more nutrients in the soil, prevents soil erosion, and traps carbon. Farmers and researchers have been working to develop a commercially viable perennial grain, known as Kernza. Today, business pioneers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area are finding ways to introduce Kernza into consumer markets, including Kernza beer.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Colorado's newest farmers are YouTube-taught, social justice-minded and preaching the gospel of microgreens

Kevin Simpson

November 07, 2019 |

The Colorado Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Bennett, Colorado

Emerald Garden farm in Colorado is a microgreens hydroponic farming operation that is using a comprehensive approach toward conducting business. From experimenting with new practices to reduce food waste to diversifying partnerships to enhance crop development, the owners have successfully scaled the initial operation and are providing food for fine restaurants as well as grocery stores a local school district and potentially hospitals.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Planting Native Prairie Could Be a Secret Weapon for Farmers

Nathan Beacom

October 15, 2019 |

Civil Eats |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ames, Iowa

Farmers in Iowa have been experimenting with native prairie crops – using native plant species as buffers on farmlands – in an effort to bring more pollination, soil health, water quality preservation, and carbon sequestration to their land. The Iowa State University STRIPS program has been supporting farmers in this effort by connecting them with funding and the information they need to undertake such crops.

Read More
Go to Original Story
From Weed to Cash: Researchers Genetically Engineer Pennycress

Ryan Denham Sean Newgent

October 03, 2019 |

WGLT |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Illinois

A gene editing practice called CRISPR is transforming a penny-shaped weed known as pennycress into a cover crop. This practice offers farmers a source of revenue in their off season and provides habitats for insects, as well as improved soil health.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How To Feed 10 Billion People

Leila Hussain Menglin Huang

July 29, 2019 |

Bloomberg |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Netherlands, Holland

As the world population increases and resources decrease, researchers across many countries are focusing on utilizing technology to make food production more efficient. From optimizing photosynthesis to enhancing plant productivity, developments are successfully being implemented in the Netherlands and China.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a new diet for gassy cows is helping the environment

Daniel Gordon

May 20, 2019 |

BBC |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Colombia, Bogotá

Growing flowers and plants in fields where cows graze leads to a healthier diet, larger cows, more enriched soil, and less methane emitted into the atmosphere. About 4,000 farmers have received funding to transform their farms away from traditional grazing, moving towards a system that is healthier for the animals and the environment.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Meating In The Middle: The Challenge of Lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions On Farms

Madelyn Beck

May 20, 2019 |

Harvest Public Media |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Illinois

From small farms to the larger, agriculture industry, changes are being made to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas being emitted into the air. With methane emissions considered one of the top worst greenhouse gasses – and agriculture a major contributor to it – the industry is looking toward new practices, like cover crops and new diets for cows. Responses are happening on many levels, but in order to make sustainable change, farmers and researchers must collaboratively work together.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Native bees, please

Casey Smith

May 11, 2019 |

Berkeley Science Review |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Berkeley, California

The Urban Bee Lab at UC Berkeley has spent over a decade collecting data about native Californian bees who regularly interact with humans so that they can share their findings to help farmers improve production. The lab collects specimens to help researchers down the line; they observe bees in nature; and they actively work with local farmers to exchange useful information. Short-term, the collaborations help farmers improve yield and provide a welcoming space to bees; short-term, the data collected will help protect and conserve native bee populations.

Read More
Go to Original Story
California's Latest Weapon Against Climate Change Is Low-Tech Farm Soil

Lauren Sommer

May 02, 2019 |

NPR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Modesto, California

California’s Healthy Soils Initiative is providing funding for farmers across the state to grow cover crops that will help move carbon from the air to the soil. Doing so not only cleans the air, but helps the soil and crops retain moisture in a state that has often faced water scarcity. Besides being a response to climate change, the initiative has bridged the deep divide between California’s coastal and valley populations, showing that they need each other to respond to climate issues.

Read More
Go to Original Story
'It's a groundswell': the farmers fighting to save the Earth's soil

Matthew Taylor

April 24, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom

Governments, UN officials, and climate experts alike are ringing the alarm bells of growing soil degradation around the world. But a new agricultural movement is tackling this challenge head on. Instead of the centuries-old method of ploughing, or turning up the soil, farmers have recently taken to keeping their fields covered with varied plants year round, to keep soil healthier. Advocates also point to lower costs on machinery and labor, more resilient crops, and climate change dividends as added benefits as well.

Read More
Go to Original Story