Harshawn Ratanpal (KBIA)

Low river levels are beginning to maroon boats docked at the Riverside Park Marina south of Downtown Memphis Nov. 2, 2022.

New dashboard provides drought data across Mississippi River Basin

Dozens of metrics are used to determine drought and that can make it complicated to measure and track. But it’s a bit easier now thanks to the new government dashboard, which tracks drought across the Mississippi River Basin.

Produce from Happy Hollow Farm at the Columbia Farmers Market in Missouri on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 sports various labels, including “USDA Certified Organic.” Farmer Liz Graznak said the label is valuable and recognizable to customers.

Coastal Desk

An alternative to the USDA Organic label could be more accessible for farmers. Can it stick with consumers?

Harshawn Ratanpal (KBIA)

Exploring the details of the Certified Naturally Grown certification, how it compares to USDA Organic, and why some farmers are pursuing it for their operations.

Graduate student Joshua Asiamah loads harvested stalks of hemp onto an all-terrain vehicle to be hauled away and studied at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., Oct. 14, 2024. Credit: Harshawn Ratanpal, KBIA

Coastal Desk

For decades, the government banned hemp. Now, it’s funding hemp research to fight climate change

Harshawn Ratanpal (KBIA)

Lincoln University in Missouri is heading a USDA-funded project researching the commodity, but its prohibition created high hurdles for getting the crop off the ground.

Wilburn Harris points at the low water level of a pond on his farm in Drexel, Mo., Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Last year, he had to compensate for drought by hauling water into his farm.

Coastal Desk

Federal drought relief policies leave some farmers out to dry

Harshawn Ratanpal (KBIA)

Programs that provide drought relief to farmers use the U.S. Drought Monitor to determine eligibility, but some experts say it doesn’t always capture local conditions.