Progress 09/15/01 to 09/14/05
Outputs
In the grant period from September 2001 through September 2005, the Agriculture and Water Quality Public Radio Reporting Project of the Great Lakes Radio Consortium (GLRC) produced 97 public radio stories (news spots, features, and commentaries) informing community leaders, policymakers, and the general public about the relationship between the agricultural sector and water quality in the Great Lakes region. Periodically throughout the course of the grant, GLRC conducted review sessions with the 13-member Advisory Committee, asking for overall impressions of GLRC coverage and specific critiques of the stories produced for the CSREES project. The issues raised by the Advisory Committee have been discussed in editorial planning meetings and utilized for continuous improvement of production quality. Focus groups have also helped improved the quality and direction of GLRC reporting. After making adjustments in response to the focus group findings in 2003, the GLRC
instructed the independent firm Market Trends Research to conduct a final survey in June 2004. The results showed that the impact of GLRC reporting is substantial. Comparing 2004 results with 2002 results, the percentage of listeners who recalled hearing one or more reports about common environmental topics increased by a combined total of 54 percent. 95 percent of listeners remembered hearing a report about environmental issues on public radio, and the percentage of listeners who considered themselves well informed about environmental issues increased by 14 percent between 2002 and 2004. Listeners had greater awareness of each of the following GLRC topics (comparing 2002 and 2004): loss of farmland due to urban sprawl, the effect of pesticides on water quality, the effect of fertilizer or nitrogen on water quality, and the effect of animal feed operations on water quality. These results indicate that the GLRC is pursuing a successful course in reporting issues of agriculture and
water quality in the Great Lakes region. In addition to making editorial changes in response to impartial evaluative information, the GLRC also modified its website to make it more helpful to the public, adding more links and more photos to illustrate archived stories. Unique visits to the site nearly doubled between July and October 2005. Also, by streamlining the tool through which 145 collaborating radio stations report to the GLRC, the staff have made this reporting process easier and more accurate. In March 2005, the GLRC introduced podcasting, by which listeners can download the complete 29-minute modular environmental radio feed each week for playback whenever they want. The GLRC has been in the forefront of such expanding technologies, to reach more listeners with high-quality environmental news.
Impacts
This project not only educated but also promoted informed decision-making on water quality issues throughout the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium is a primary source of environmental news on agriculture and water quality in this region. The Consortium's website and podcasts are effective adjuncts to the broadcasts, which are aired on 145 radio stations.
Publications
- Graham, Lester, 2003, 10/27/2003, Enviro Group Sues EPA over Farm Chemical. One of the largest environmental groups is suing the Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to get the agency to ban a pesticide widely used by farmers.
- Shockley, Christina, 2003, 11/03/2003, Enviro Group Brings Ad Campaign to Obituaries. A Minnesota group has tried an unusual approach.
- Graham, Lester, 2004, 01/05/2004, Midwest Fertilizer Use Causing Gulf Dead Zone? Excess fertilizer is washed downstream by rain, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
- Graham, Lester, 2004, 01/05/2004, Midwest Fertilizer Use Causing Gulf Dead Zone? (part 2) The commercial fishers in the Gulf of Mexico are hoping the farmers in the Midwest will help them solve a problem.
- Hemphill, Stephanie, 2004, 01/05/2004, Hazelnuts Crop of Future? A man in northern Minnesota says hazelnuts are the perfect crop for a future of global climate change.
- Graham, Lester, 2004, 01/12/2004, Government Aims to Remedy Gulf 'Dead Zone'. The government is looking at programs to reduce the amount of fertilizer runoff from farms that ends up in streams and rivers.
- Graham, Lester, 2004, 01/12/2004, Government Aims to Remedy Gulf 'Dead Zone' (part 2). A government task force is trying to find ways to reduce fertilizer pollution from Midwest farms because it is causing environmental damage to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Toner, Erin, 2005, 06/13/2005, Study: Farm Chemicals Have Generational Effects. A first-of-its-kind study supports the theory that some common agricultural chemicals can cause reproductive problems that are passed down through generations.
- Williams, Rebecca, 2004, 03/08/2004, EPA Tightens Rules on Slaughterhouse Waste. The Environmental Protection Agency is aiming to reduce the pollution that's released into rivers, lakes and streams.
- Graham, Lester, 2004, 03/15/2004, The Fading Custom of Spring Lambing. Tit's not as common to find sheep on the farm today, but GLRC found a man who still thinks sheep have a place on the farm.
- Graham, Lester, 2004, 05/03/2004, Duck Decline Blamed on Fragmented Habitat. Researchers with the conservation group Ducks Unlimited are reporting they've found some of the reasons the duck reproduction rate is falling in the Great Lakes region.
- Toner, Erin, 2004, 05/31/2004, USDA Withdraws Organics Law 'Clarification.' The U.S. Department of Agriculture has withdrawn a 'guidance statement' regarding organic food production.
- Cohen, Bill, 2004, 06/07/2004, Satellite Imaging Tracks Algae Blooms. A new study is showing which models will work in the Great Lakes.
- Hammond, David, 2004, 07/26/2004, Beefy Guy Buys Organic Bovine. The GLRC investigates the potential environmental impacts of the low-carb diet.
- Toner, Erin, 2004, 08/02/2004, Small Dairy Farms Get Greenbacks from Grazing. GLRC looks at the story of one dairy-farming family that's found a way to stay in farming, and make a pretty good living.
- Graham, Lester, 2004, 08/30/2004, Action Plan Not Enough to Shrink Gulf 'Dead Zone'. A government task force has determined that if the flow of nitrogen into the Gulf can be cut by 30 percent, the size of the dead zone can be reduced.
- Ahl, Jonathan, 2004, 08/30/2004, New Material to Remove Atrazine From Drinking Water? Scientists have developed a new material that they say will remove a common pollutant from water supplies.
- Weber, Tom, 2004, 10/04/2004, EPA Rules on Meat Processing Waste. The largest meat and poultry processing plants in the country must follow new rules regarding how much pollution they release into waterways.
- Toner, Erin, 2004, 11/22/2004, Breaking Down Groundwater Pollution. Scientists in the Great Lakes region are seeing good results from a new method that fights groundwater pollution.
- Keith, Tamara, 2005, 01/24/2005, Farm Technology Harvests Trendy Subsidies. A project would produce a fuel additive that is thought to reduce air pollution, provide a market for farm goods, and create scores of jobs.
- Niedermier, Kevin, 2005, 03/21/2005, Cut in Farm Subsidies Might Hurt Midwest Vintners. The cuts would drastically reduce farm subsidies, and they would curtail agricultural research efforts.
- Linder, Brad, 2005, 04/11/2005, Urban Vegetable Farm Takes Root in Brownfield. The GLRC recently visited a small farm on what used to be a polluted site in an industrial neighborhood.
- McCarus, Chris, 2005, 04/18/2005, Dairy Farmers Keeping Milk Close to Home. A dairy farmer who got tired of shipping his milk to far away dairies is now processing it on the farm.
- Williams, Rebecca, 2005, 04/18/2005, Chemical Companies Put Green Spin on Lawn Care. The campaigns are responding to a growing number of local restrictions on the use of these lawn chemicals.
- Flaherty, Nora, 2005, 05/02/2005, Honda's Soybean Solution Encourages Non-GMO Farming. Honda has an interesting sideline: as a cost-saving measure, they've been exporting soybeans from the U.S. to Japan.
- Toner, Erin, 2005, 05/09/2005, Study: Farmers Suffer From Chemical Exposures. A study of more than 18,000 farmers shows a link between neurological symptoms and long-term exposure to agricultural chemicals.
- Graham, Lester, 2005, 06/06/2005, GAO: Forest Service Lacks Coordination. The government's effort to reduce wildfires in forests has some side effects, and a Congressional watchdog agency says the U.S. Forest Service isn't doing a very good job of dealing with those side effects.
- Flaherty, Nora, 2005, 05/30/2005, Heirloom Seeds Preserved in Gardens. For some people, seeds are a lot more than crop producers.
- Samilton, Tracy, 2005, 05/30/2005, Beech Bark Disease Survivors Are Resistant. Researchers might have a partial solution to the problem of beech bark disease.
- Samilton, Tracy, 2005, 06/06/2005, Farmers Watch for Soybean Rust. A serious outbreak in the South could bring soybean rust to the Midwest where most of the nation's soybeans are grown.
- Lehman, Chris, 2005, 06/13/2005, Groups Sue EPA Over Factory Farm Agreement. A coalition of environmental groups is asking a federal judge to review an agreement between the EPA and operators of large-scale livestock farms.
- Graham, Lester, 2001, 12/24/2001, Sowing Trust With Farmers. For years, environmentalists, government workers, and others have been puzzled about why more farmers do not make use of environmentally friendly land management practices.
- Quirmbach, Chuck, 2005, 06/20/2005, New Study Shows Long Term Effects of Fertilizers. A new study suggests the build-up of phosphorus in lakes may cause problems for hundreds of years.
- Charney, Tamar, 2005, 07/25/2005, Keeping Age Old Farm Skills Alive. Ox-team driving, blacksmithing, and timber framing are still being taught at Tillers International near Scotts, Michigan.
- Cohen, Bill, 2005, 08/15/2005, Officials Fear the Hogweed. A fast-growing invasive plant is spreading in the Great Lakes region.
- Grant, Julie, 2005, 08/29/2005, School Cafeterias Embrace Local Food (Part I). Advocates say locally-grown fruits and vegetables are fresher and taste better.
- Grant, Julie, 2005, 08/29/2005, Reconnecting Farmers to Local Markets (Part 2). Some experts think farmers could do a lot better for themselves if they changed what they're growing.
- Samilton, Tracy, 2005, 09/19/2005, High Mercury Levels Found at Grocery Stores. A new study has found high levels of mercury in fresh swordfish at major grocery chains.
- Graham, Lester, 2005, 10/24/2005, Ten Threats: Dead Zones in the Lakes. GLRC looks at a growing problem that has scientists baffled.
- Brush, Mark, 2005, 10/31/2005, Ten Threats: Farmland to Wetlands. GLRC examines how farmers are getting involved in restoring some of the natural landscape.
- Toner, Erin, 2005, 11/14/2005, Tracking Water Withdrawals. The Great Lakes Regional Water Use Database tracks how water is used throughout the basin.
- Walston, Natalie, 2001, 09/24/2001, Community Wins Suit Against Egg Farm. The outcome is seen as a victory by those living next to large-scale farm operations throughout the region.
- Losure, Mary, 2001, 10/01/2001, Room for Conservation in Farm Bill? (Part 1). The GLRC visits a place that is considered to be a success story in the conservation reserve program.
- Gunderson, Dan, 2001, 10/01/2001, Farmers Concerned About New Farm Bill (Part 2). In the second of a two-part series, the GLRC reports that many farmers are concerned about organizations with no agricultural background shaping farm policy.
- Graham, Lester, 2001, 10/22/2001, Meatpacker Pays for Pollution. The largest meatpacker in the world has agreed to pay millions of dollars in penalties because of pollution at its plants.
- Graham, Lester, 2001, 11/12/2001, Study Yields Insight On Fertilizer Use. A new study published in the journal Nature indicates that farmers could save fertilizer costs and pollute less while producing the same harvest.
- Ahl, Jonathan, 2001, 12/03/2001, Farmers Use Better Fertilizer Practices. A Great Lakes state is reporting positive results from a program designed to keep a major cause of water pollution out of water supplies.
- Grossman, Daniel, 2001, 12/24/2001, Farming With Computers. Researchers want to install computers in another place, where most of us would least expect it.
- Brush, Mark, 2002, 01/07/2002, Engineering A Cleaner Pig. Like most farmers, hog farmers have seen a shift from small, family-owned farms, to large-scale hog operations.
- Shafer-Powell, Matt, 2002, 01/28/2002, Chicken Farm Encounters Opposition. An Indiana-based egg producer is trying to find a place to build a 47 million dollar chicken farm somewhere in the Great Lakes region.
- Graham, Lester, 2002, 02/18/2002, States Disagree About Water Pollution. A new report finds states do not measure water pollution in the same way and that makes it more difficult for the nation to identify its most polluted waters.
- Mills, Shamane, 2002, 03/11/2002, State Finds PCBs in Farm Sludge. A chemical linked to cancer and other health problems has been discovered in sludge spread on farm fields.
- Graham, Lester, 2002, 03/25/2002, Small Wetlands Drowning in Development. The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to get city planners, farmers, and developers to stop draining small marshy areas that biologists call ephemeral wetlands.
- Graham, Lester, 2002, 04/22/2002, Common Pesticide Found to Harm Frogs. The most commonly used pesticide on farms might be causing frog populations to decline.
- Graham, Lester, 2002, 05/06/2002, Farm Preserves Natural Heritage. Along the fringes of urban growth, farm museums are sprouting here and there. Before it was plowed there was another earlier, vibrant landscape.
- Karpenchuk, Dan, 2002, 06/03/2002, Tainted Water Inquiry Calls for Major Changes. Recommendations have been made in the second and final report of an inquiry into the tainted water tragedy in Walkerton, Ontario.
- Samilton, Tracy, 2002, 07/01/2002, Fertilizer Made Greener With Soy. Some soybean farmers have developed a new kind of fertilizer that could help the environment.
- Grossman, Daniel, 2002, 07/08/2002, The Threats of Nitrogen Pollution. From mountain summits to ocean shores, plants, and animals are suffering from exposure to the chemical nitrogen.
- Deutschman-Ruiz, Cindi, 2002, 07/15/2002, Farm Chemicals Weaken Frog Immune Systems. A current study provides new insights into the factors that can make frogs more susceptible to disease.
- Grossman, Daniel, 2002, 07/15/2002, Curbing Nitrogen Pollution. Researchers say the long-term impact of these unwanted compounds on the environment could be serious.
- Simonson, Mike, 2003, 01/20/2003, Study Outlines Threats to the Lakes. A four-year study on the health of the Great Lakes is halfway finished. So far, the biggest threat is private and commercial development along shorelines.
- Graham, Lester, 2002, 12/09/2002, Farm Pollution Researchers Threatened. Some scientists are being threatened because they are investigating pollution from farms.
- Ahl, Jonathan, 2002, 09/09/2002, Midwest Adds to Gulf's Dead Zone. A recent study from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium shows the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is getting bigger.
- Graham, Lester, 2002, 09/16/2002, Point System in the Works for Large Hog Farms. States might soon be taking a new approach when considering permits for huge livestock farms.
- Brush, Mark, 2002, 10/28/2002, Downsides of Dam Removal. Researchers say water managers should be sure to take a close look when considering dam removal as an option.
- Johnson, Shawn, 2003, 01/20/2003, Popular Herbicide Breeds Resistance. Some weeds are developing a resistance to one of the most popular crop herbicides.
- Sommerstein, David, 2003, 01/27/2003, Dairy Farmer Gives Cows a Winter Break. A small but growing number of farmers give their cows a break during the coldest months, with a technique called seasonal dairying.
- Leland, Michael, 2003, 01/27/2003, Poultry Farmers Look to CoGeneration Plant. One group of farmers wants to convert farm animal waste into energy.
- Koonce, Tanya, 2002, 02/03/2003, Marketplace Ready for Soybean Suncreen? Scientists at the USDA Agriculture Lab in Peoria may have discovered a way to protect skin from sun damage without harming the environment.
- Graham, Lester, 2003, 02/03/2003, New Limit on Pesticide in Drinking Water? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing how much of a commonly used pesticide it will allow in drinking water.
- Hemphill, Stephanie, 2003, 02/10/2003, New Herbicide Raises Safety Questions. Corn growers in Michigan and Minnesota are waiting to find out whether they can use a new herbicide this spring.
- Rumbaitis-del Rio, Cristina, 2003, 02/17/2003, Modified Crops Swap Genes With Weeds. Genetically modified crops are planted throughout the Midwest, but some scientists are concerned genes from these crops could escape and work their way into weedy plants.
- Hemphill, Stephanie, 2003, 03/10/2003, Cautious Approval for New Herbicide. Corn farmers in Minnesota could soon join their neighbors in using a new herbicide known as 'Balance Pro.'
- Hulett, Sarah, 2003, 03/17/2003, When the Well Runs Dry. Environmentalists are sounding the alarm that water tables are being threatened in some areas.
- Ahl, Jonathan, 2003, 04/14/2003, Farm Buffer Strips a Lasting Solution? Programs designed to help keep soil and chemicals on the farm and out of the watershed are growing in popularity around the region.
- Ahl, Jonathan, 2003, 06/09/2003, Ocean Health Jeopardized by Midwest Pollution? Two separate commissions are suggesting farm chemicals and pollution in rivers are the biggest threats to ocean health.
- Brush, Mark, 2003, 07/21/2003, Factory Farms Running out of Land for Manure. Earlier this year, the EPA tightened regulations on pollution from large-scale livestock operations.
- Lehman, Chris, 2003, 06/23/2003, Low Sperm Counts Linked to Pesticides. A study last year found that men living in rural areas have lower sperm counts than their urban counterparts.
- Ahl, Jonathan, 2003, 06/23/2003, New Report Highlights Ethanol's Pitfalls. A new report shows ethanol is worse for the environment than gasoline that does not contain the corn-based fuel.
- Cohen, Bill, 2003,07/14/2003, Industrial Egg Farm Ordered to Close. One of the largest egg farms in the nation is being ordered to shut down.
- Rohde, Skye, 2003, 07/28/2003, Alpaca Farming Becoming Next Livestock Trend. The low environmental impact, cold weather tolerance and high-priced fleece of alpacas make them an increasingly popular choice for farmers.
- Lawton, Jenny, 2003, 07/28/2003, Market-Based Approach for Water Pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency is looking at a market-based attempt to reduce water pollution.
- Tardif, Amy, 2003, 08/11/2003, Using Sewage Sludge on Crops. About three million dry tons of treated sewage fertilize sod, pasture land and even food crops every year in the United States.
- Schaefer, Karen, 2003, 09/15/2003, Harmful Algae Bloom Puzzles Scientists. A mysterious bloom of algae in Lake Erie is puzzling scientists and threatening a Great Lakes fishery.
- Ahl, Jonathan, 2003, 09/22/2003, Government Expands Farm Preservation Program. The Conservation Reserve Program is designed to protect the creeks and rivers that border farms.
- Ahl, Jonathan, 2003, 09/22/2003, Government Expands Farm Preservation Program (part 2). The federal government is expanding a program to take farmland out of production and temporarily convert it to conservation areas.
- Quirmbach, Chuck, 2003, 09/29/2003, Pollution Breaks for Factory Farms? Environmental groups allege the Bush administration might want to give large, so-called 'factory farms' a break under the Clean Air Act and Superfund laws.
- Quirmbach, Chuck, 2003, 10/06/2003, Digesters Convert Manure into Fuel. The federal government is putting more money into turning cow manure into power.
- Quirmbach, Chuck, 2003, 10/20/2003, Enviros Say No Tax Money for Manure Digesters. Some people say the government should not be paying for this process.
- Schaefer, Karen, 2002, 08/05/2002, Seeking Culprits for Lake Dead Zone. The U.S. EPA has launched a research ship to gather data that might help to unravel the mystery in Lake Erie.
- Ingles, Jo, 2002, 08/19/2002, Midwest Excepts Crop Losses. Many farmers in the Midwest are bracing for huge crop losses.
- Graham, Lester, 2002, 08/19/2002, UN Report Gives Region a Grade. A new report says the U.S. and Canada need to do more to prevent problems due to urban growth, agricultural runoff and invasions of exotic species.
- Toner, Erin, 2002, 08/26/2002, Researchers Seek to Reduce Fertilizer Pollution. Too much phosphorus in the water leads to excessive plant growth, which can eventually choke out fish and other aquatic species.
- Williams, Rebecca, 2002, 09/02/2002, Technology to Help Farmers Manage Water? Researchers are testing a device that could help Midwest farmers decide the best way to manage their water.
- Karpenchuk, Dan, 2002, 09/02/2002, Canada's Plans to Battle Farm Pollution. The government of Ontario has come out with its plans in an attempt to prevent another tragedy like Walkerton.
- Tardif, Amy, 2004, 01/12/2004, EPA to Re-Examine Impact of Sewage Sludge Fertilizer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it is ready to take a new look at the science and risks involved in using treated human waste as fertilizer on farmland.
- Quirmbach, Chuck, 2004, 01/12/2004, Frog Deformity Study Points to Parasite as Culprit. A new study on deformities in frogs and other amphibians offers more signs that a parasite might be causing the problems.
- Duchon, Richie, 2004, 02/02/2004, A 'Poplar' Solution for Hog Waste? Large scale hog farmers typically store their animal manure in large open air ponds called waste lagoons. The process often poses problems for pork producers, but some farmers are using trees as a solution.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Since the Great Lakes Radio Consortium (GLRC) began its highly successful Agriculture & Water Quality Public Radio Reporting Project in September 2001, CSREES funds have so far helped to support the production and distribution of more than 53 public radio stories (news spots, commentaries, and features) informing the public, policymakers and community leaders on the relationship between the agricultural sector and water quality in the Great Lakes region. GLRC stories are distributed on a weekly basis to the GLRC's extensive network of more than 140 public radio stations throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond. Story ideas have come from producers in the field, GLRC editors, and from the 13-member GLRC Agriculture/Water Quality Advisory Committee. Committee members are contacted every six months to evaluate current GLRC stories, and to suggest ideas for future production. The impact of our stories is being measured through an ongoing series of surveys and focus
groups conducted by Market Trends Research, Inc. An initial baseline survey, conducted to gather listener's opinions about their overall impressions about agriculture, the environment, water quality, and the relationship between agriculture and water quality, found that on average, listeners felt they were 'somewhat informed' on the issues of agricultural practices and water quality. Some of the broader conclusions of this report were that listeners are: DT Extremely interested in reporting on environmental issues DT Not particularly happy with the way most media cover environmental issues. In June of 2003, Market Trends Research, Inc also conducted three focus group sessions. The goal of these focus groups was to balance the quantitative information the GLRC was receiving about its audience's attitudes toward its coverage with qualitative information from the public radio audience as a whole. By conducting focus groups, we hoped to isolate the strengths and weaknesses of our
reporting in the minds of listeners in order to improve upon our service. We found the sessions to be quite insightful and have implemented new practices based on the results. Public radio participants were selected at random and were not told ahead of time what they would be discussing. Several lessons were learned from these sessions including the following insights: DT Listeners had high awareness of the GLRC and its mission
DT Listeners often wanted more information in the form of web links so they could research a topic further DT Listeners often came away more informed on an issue when the report broke the issue down in simpler, more explainable terms. When the report was somewhat complex or assumed some prior knowledge of an issue, listeners did not internalize the information as well. Although there is still a final survey to come, the GLRC has already begun to implement changes in response to the studies so far. New links have been added to each GLRC story, so listeners can obtain more information, and we are developing ways to make GLRC stories as understandable as possible to the average listener. We have also conducted four review sessions with our 13-member Ag. Advisory Committee. Every six months, the Committee Members are asked to comment on GLRC stories produced for the CSREES project. In each review session they are asked to critique five selected stories, and to give us their
impressions of our overall coverage for that six-month period. The committee has been extremely helpful, providing feedback is as diverse as the advisory panel itself. These comments are included into our editorial planning meetings and issues the advisory panel raises are discussed, and if deemed necessary, addressed.
Impacts
This project not only educates, but also promotes informed decision-making on water quality issues throughout the Great Lakes Region. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium is a primary source of environmental news in the region with more than 140 member stations. Through the regular broadcast of its high-quality environmental stories, the GLRC can thus affect which issues are on the public's and policymaker's "radar screen". We know that policymakers are listening. The GLRC regularly gets calls and emails from regional, state and local leaders requesting more information about reports we've aired, including, most recently, an email from Michigan State Senator Liz Brater's office requesting a transcript of a GLRC story. As GLRC informs policymakers about water quality issues in the Great Lakes Region, they will be in a position to use that knowledge to positively impact public policy and shape resource stewardship. People in the Great Lakes Region have come to trust the
GLRC as a reliable source for environmental news. While public trust in the print and television media has been on a steady decline since the early 1980s, trust in public radio is on the rise. An October 2003 letter from Frank Bevacqua, Public Information Officer of the International Joint Commission, confirms this trend, stating that "the work of the Great Lakes Radio Consortium is one of the most positive developments in recent years." The GLRC extends its reach even further through its impact on other media. In fact, other forms of news media, including commercial media, have started to make regular use of GLRC as a news source, especially because GLRC is so often ahead of the curve in environmental reporting. Furthermore, in addition to our more than 3.5 million radio listeners, thousands more seek out GLRC stories, transcripts and further information via our website each month.
Publications
- Study Yields Insight On Fertilizer Use A new study published in the journal Nature indicates that farmers could save fertilizer costs and pollute less while producing the same harvest. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports: Release Date: November 12, 2001 Running Time: :59
- Farmers Use Better Fertilizer Practices A Great Lakes state is reporting positive results from a program designed to keep a major cause of water pollution out of water supplies. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jonathan Ahl reports: Release Date: December 3, 2001 Running Time: :55
- Sowing Trust With Farmers For years, environmentalists, government workers, and others have been puzzled about why more farmers don't make use of environmentally friendly land management practices. Now, researchers have found some of the reasons farmers persist in farming the way they do; and why they don't listen to outside experts. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham has more: Release Date: December 24, 2001 Running Time: 4:44
- Farming With Computers You probably have a computer in your car, on your desk and maybe even in your stove. It seems like there are computers everywhere these days helping with everything from our checking accounts to our turkey roasts. Now researchers want to install computers in another place, where most of us would least expect it - in Old MacDonald's tractor. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Daniel Grossman has this story: Release Date: December 24, 2001 Running Time: 4:51
- Engineering A Cleaner Pig Like most farmers, hog farmers have seen a shift from small, family-owned farms, to large-scale hog operations, but more pigs on less land creates some major environmental problems - especially, what to do with all that manure. Bio-tech researchers in Canada believe they have created an animal that will help. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Mark Brush has more: Release Date: January 7, 2002 Running Time: 3:08
- Chicken Farm Encounters Opposition An Indiana-based egg producer is trying to find a place to build a 47 million dollar chicken farm somewhere in the Great Lakes region. But Midwest Poultry Services is running into opposition in one of the proposed communities. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Matt Shafer Powell has the story: Release Date: January 28, 2002 Running Time: :46
- States Disagree About Water Pollution A new report finds states don't measure water pollution in the same way and that makes it more difficult for the nation to identify its most polluted waters. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports: Release Date: February 18, 2002 Running Time: :55
- State Finds PCBs in Farm Sludge A chemical linked to cancer and other health problems has been discovered in sludge spread on farm fields. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Shamane Mills has details: Release Date: March 11, 2002 Running Time: :57
- Industrial Egg Farm Ordered to Close One of the largest egg farms in the nation is being ordered to shut down. The reason... a decade of complaints, including nine contempt citations for environmental violations. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Bill Cohen reports: Release Date: July 14, 2003 Running Time: :50
- Factory Farms Running out of Land for Manure Earlier this year, the EPA tightened regulations on pollution from large-scale livestock operations. Farmers will be limited on the amount of manure they're allowed to spread on fields. A new study by the USDA says, under the new regulations, these farmers will need more land on which to spread the manure. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Mark Brush has more: Release Date: July 21, 2003 Running Time: :52
- Market-Based Approach for Water Pollution The Environmental Protection Agency is looking at a market-based attempt to reduce water pollution. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jenny Lawton explains: Release Date: July 28, 2003 Running Time: :58
- Using Sewage Sludge on Crops The more people inhabit the earth - the more sewage there is. Something has to be done with it. Before chemical fertilizers were invented, farmers used human manure to improve their crops. Some still do. About three million dry tons of treated sewage - called sludge - fertilize sod, pasture land and even food crops every year in the United States. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Amy Tardif looks at what the practice may be doing to the environment: Release Date: August 11, 2003 Running Time: 4:38
- Community Wins Suit Against Egg Farm An Ohio jury has awarded neighbors of a large factory farm $19.7 million in damages. People living near Buckeye Egg Farm in central Ohio have complained for years of fly infestations and odors. The outcome is seen as a victory by those living next to large-scale farm operations throughout the region. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Natalie Walston has the story: Release Date: September 24, 2001 Running Time: 4:27
- Room For Conservation In Farm Bill? (Part 1) Although it has been delayed by the terrorist attacks of September 11th, Congressional debate is still scheduled to begin this fall on legislation that will shape the nation's farm policy for the next 5 to 10 years. Right now, the vast majority of subsidies go to farmers who grow commodity crops like corn and soybeans. That leaves out many small dairy and vegetable farmers throughout the Midwest. Environmentalists say a shift in farm program priorities would help those farmers and be a boon to the environment. Mary Losure visits a place that's considered to be a success story in the conservation reserve program: Release Date: October 1, 2001 Running Time: 4:17
- Farmers Concerned About New Farm Bill (Part 2) This fall, Congress is expected to debate how much to spend on a new farm bill, and there may be sharp disagreement over what programs should be funded. Traditionally, the money has been used to supplement farmers' income. But now, environmental groups are increasingly demanding, and getting more money for conservation programs. In the second of a two-part series, the Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Dan Gunderson reports that many farmers are concerned about organizations with no agricultural background shaping farm policy: Release Date: October 1, 2001 Running Time: 4:23
- Meatpacker Pays For Pollution The largest meatpacker in the world has agreed to pay millions of dollars in penalties because of pollution at its plants. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports: Release Date: October 22, 2001 Running Time: :55
- Farm Buffer Strips a Lasting Solution? Each spring, the seasonal rains and melting snow lead to millions of gallons of water entering rivers and streams around the Midwest. While that water is important for the rivers' health, it brings with it soil, herbicides, and insecticides from farms. Programs designed to help keep soil and chemicals on the farm and out of the watershed are growing in popularity around the region. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jonathan Ahl has more: Release Date: April 14, 2003 Running Time: 4:21
- Ocean Health Jeopardized by Midwest Pollution? Two separate commissions are suggesting farm chemicals and pollution in rivers are the biggest threats to ocean health. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jonathan Ahl reports: Release Date: June 9, 2003 Running Time: :57
- Low Sperm Counts Linked to Pesticides A study last year found that men living in rural areas have lower sperm counts than their urban counterparts. Now, researchers say they've found a possible reason for the difference. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Chris Lehman has more: Release Date: June 23, 2003 Running Time: :49
- New Report Highlights Ethanol's Pitfalls A new report shows Ethanol is worse for the environment than gasoline that doesn't contain the corn-based fuel. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jonathan Ahl reports: Release Date: June 23, 2003 Running Time: :53
- Small Wetlands Drowning in Development Biologists are becoming concerned about the disappearance of a habitat for wildlife that can be found in rural areas, in sprawling suburbs, and even in big cities. The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to get city planners, farmers, and developers to stop draining small marshy areas that biologists call ephemeral wetlands. The EPA says in the rush to save big areas of wetlands these small temporary wet spots have been overlooked at the expense of some unique wildlife. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham has more: http://glrc.org Release Date: March 25, 2002 Running Time: 4:18 Short version: :47
- Common Pesticide Found To Harm Frogs The most commonly used pesticide on farms might be causing frog populations to decline. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham explains: Release Date: April 22, 2002 Running Time: :53
- Farm Preserves Natural Heritage Along the fringes of urban growth farm museums are sprouting here and there. They're trying to preserve a bit of the rapidly changing terrain (as fields become subdivisions), but one of these farm museums recognizes that the land wasn't always farmland. Before it was plowed there was another earlier, vibrant landscape. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports: Release Date: May 6, 2002 Running Time: 5:03
- Tainted Water Inquiry Calls for Major Changes Recommendations have been made in the second and final report of an inquiry into the tainted water tragedy in Walkerton, Ontario. Seven people died and 2,300 became sick two years ago when E. coli bacteria leeched into the town's drinking water supply from a nearby dairy farm. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Dan Karpenchuk reports: Release Date: June 3, 2002 Running Time: 1:07
- Fertilizer Made Greener with Soy Some soybean farmers have developed a new kind of fertilizer that could help the environment. Clean Green fertilizer is made of 100% soybeans. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Tracy Samilton reports: Release Date: July 1, 2002 Running Time: :53
- The Threats of Nitrogen Pollution From mountain summits to ocean shores, plants and animals are suffering from exposure to the chemical nitrogen. Though this element is a key building block of life, it can also be a pollutant so serious that some biologists rank its effects on par with global warming. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Daniel Grossman reports: Release Date: July 8, 2002 Running Time: 6:27
- Curbing Nitrogen Pollution Across the country, forests, streams and coastlines are getting extra doses of nutrients containing the element nitrogen. Researchers say the long-term impact of these unwanted compounds on the environment could be serious. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Daniel Grossman reports on some efforts to reduce nitrogen pollution: Release Date: July 15, 2002 Running Time: 6:47
- Farm Chemicals Weaken Frog Immune Systems The worldwide population decline in frogs and other amphibians has concerned scientists for many years, in part because when amphibians are threatened, other species are as well. A current study provides new insights into the factors that can make frogs more susceptible to disease. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz reports: Release Date: July 15, 2002 Running Time: 1:01
- Seeking Culprits for Lake Dead Zone Back in the 1970's, Lake Erie was considered dead. Too many nutrients were flowing into the lake, causing algae blooms that used up the oxygen. Massive fish kills were one result. Until recently, scientists thought they had the problem licked. But a few years ago, researchers began to realize those conditions were returning. Zebra mussels could be one culprit, but scientists aren't sure. So the U-S EPA has launched a research ship to gather data that might help to unravel the mystery. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Karen Schaefer reports: Release Date: August 5, 2002 Running Time: 4:18
- Harmful Algae Bloom Puzzles Scientists A mysterious bloom of algae in Lake Erie is puzzling scientists and threatening a Great Lakes fishery. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Karen Schaefer reports: Release Date: September 15, 2003 Running Time: :59
- Government Expands Farm Preservation Program For almost 20 years, the federal government has paid farmers to convert some of their land to natural habitat for plants and animals. The Conservation Reserve Program is designed to protect the creeks and rivers that border farms. This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding the program to take on an additional two million acres, including 132,000 acres in Illinois. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jonathan Ahl reports: Release Date: September 22, 2003 Running Time: 3:34 Short Version: :43
- Pollution Breaks for Factory Farms? Environmental groups allege the Bush administration might want to give large, so-called "factory farms" a break under the Clean Air Act and Superfund laws. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Chuck Quirmbach reports: Release Date: September 29, 2003 Running Time: 0:51
- Digesters Convert Manure into Fuel The federal government is putting more money into turning cow manure into power. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Chuck Quirmbach reports: Release Date: October 6, 2003 Running Time: :52
- Enviros Say No Tax Money for Manure Digesters More farms are trying to turn cow manure into electricity. But some people say the government should not be paying for the process. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Chuck Quirmbach reports: Release Date: October 20, 2003 Running Time: :55
- Enviro Group Sues EPA over Farm Chemical One of the nation's largest environmental groups is suing the Environmental Protection Agency in an attempt to get the agency to ban a pesticide widely used by farmers. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports: Release Date: October 27, 2003 Running Time: :52
- New Limit on Pesticide in Drinking Water? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing how much of a commonly used pesticide it will allow in drinking water. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports: Release Date: February 3, 2003 Running Time: :55
- New Herbicide Raises Safety Questions Corn growers in Michigan and Minnesota are waiting to find out whether they can use a new herbicide this spring. "Balance Pro" is used in 17 states, including several in the Great Lakes region (Indiana, Illinois, Ohio). But it's not used in Minnesota, Michigan, or Wisconsin. Critics say Balance Pro gets into rivers and lakes too easily, and it could harm wildlife or even people. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Stephanie Hemphill reports: Release Date: February 10, 2003 Running Time: 3:57
- UN Report Gives Region a Grade The United Nation's Environment Program says the Great Lakes are cleaner. But a new report says the U.S. and Canada need to do more to prevent problems due to urban growth, agricultural runoff and invasions of exotic species. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports: Release Date: August 19, 2002 Running Time: :51
- Researchers Seek to Reduce Fertilizer Pollution New research could reduce the amount of fertilizer pollution coming from farms. After manure is spread onto farm fields, nutrients like phosphorus can run off into nearby lakes and streams. Too much phosphorus in the water leads to excessive plant growth, which can eventually choke out fish and other aquatic species. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Erin Toner reports: Release Date: August 26, 2002 Running Time: :51
- Technology to Help Farmers Manage Water? Water is of growing concern to people in the Great Lakes region, especially after this summer's widespread drought. Now researchers are testing a device that could help Midwest farmers decide the best way to manage their water. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Rebecca Williams has more: Release Date: September 2, 2002 Running Time: :53
- Canada's Plans to Battle Farm Pollution Seven people died and more than two thousand were made ill when E. coli bacteria contaminated Walkerton, Ontario's water supply more than two years ago. The contamination came from cattle manure that had leeched into the ground. Now, the government of Ontario has come out with its plans in an attempt to prevent another tragedy like Walkerton. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Dan Karpenchuk reports: Release Date: September 2, 2002 Running Time: :59
- Midwest Adds to Gulf's Dead Zone A recent study from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium shows the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is getting bigger. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Jonathan Ahl reports that pollution from the Midwest may be to blame: Release Date: September 9, 2002 Running Time: :57
- Point-System in the Works for Large Hog Farms States might soon be taking a new approach when considering permits for huge livestock farms. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham has more: Release Date: September 16, 2002 Running Time: :56
- Downsides of Dam Removal States have been removing old dams from rivers for safety and environmental reasons. But researchers say water managers should be sure to take a close look when considering dam removal as an option because, in some cases, it might be bad for the environment. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Mark Brush has more: Release Date: October 28, 2002 Running Time: 1:00
- Popular Herbicide Breeds Resistance Some weeds are developing a resistance to one of the most popular crop herbicides. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Shawn Johnson reports: Release Date: January 20, 2003 Running Time: :54
- Study Outlines Threats to the Lakes A four-year study on the health of the Great Lakes is halfway finished. So far, the biggest threat is private and commercial development along the region's shorelines. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Mike Simonson has more:
Release Date: January 20, 2003 Running Time: :51
- Dairy Farmer Gives Cows a Winter Break Most dairy farmers around the Great Lakes region milk their cows all year long. It brings in a steady paycheck and ensures a steady flow of milk to manufacturing plants. Now a small but growing number of farmers give their cows a break during the coldest months. It's a technique called seasonal dairying. Its supporters say it's gentler on the cows. It's easier on the environment. And it gives small dairy farms a future in an industry that's growing ever bigger. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's David Sommerstein reports: Release Date: December 29, 2003 Running Time: 4:51
- Poultry Farmers Look to CoGeneration Plant People who live next to poultry farms often complain about the smell, and environmental groups often complain about the pollution. Now farmers are looking for solutions. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Michael Leland reports that one group of farmers wants to convert farm animal waste into energy: This story was researched and written by Corie Wright. Release Date: January 27, 2003 Running Time: :57
- Marketplace Ready for Soybean Sunscreen? Scientists at the USDA Agriculture Lab in Peoria may have discovered a way to protect skin from sun damage without harming the environment. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Tanya Koonce reports the new mixture has a soybean or vegetable oil base: Release Date: February 3, 2003 Running Time: 3:31
- Modified Crops Swap Genes With Weeds Genetically modified crops are planted throughout the Midwest, but some scientists are concerned genes from these crops could escape and work their way into weedy plants. With these genes, weeds could become more vigorous and harder to kill. New research shows this can happen between closely related crops and weeds. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Cristina Rumbaitis-del Rio prepared this report: Release Date: February 17, 2003 Running Time: 4:28
- Cautious Approval for New Herbicide Corn farmers in Minnesota could soon join their neighbors in using a new herbicide known as "Balance Pro." The EPA approved the herbicide for most of the Midwest four years ago. At that time, Minnesota - along with Michigan and Wisconsin - rejected it, until more studies could be done. Now those states are reconsidering. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Stephanie Hemphill explains: Release Date: March 10, 2003 Running Time: :57
- When the Well Runs Dry In the Great Lakes region, the idea of not having enough water is ridiculous to most people. But that's beginning to change. Environmentalists are sounding the alarm that water tables are being threatened in some areas. And they're calling on policymakers to rein in the farms and industries that are putting the biggest drain on those resources. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Sarah Hulett has this report: Release Date: March 17, 2003 Running Time: 3:39
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