For decades, the Texas Panhandle was green with cotton, corn and wheat. But groundwater that sustained generations is drying up, creating another problem across the Southern plains: Without enough rain or groundwater for crops, soil can blow away — as it did during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. (The Columbian)

This year’s record of U.S. agricultural exports could be broken next year, as the U.S. expects to keep China’s feet to the fire on existing trade agreements, according to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. (Successful Farming)  

China’s corn output this year is expected to be a record for the country, but that won’t have a noticeable effect on Midwestern farmers. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, China will produce 273 million metric tons, up 5% from last year and the biggest corn harvest ever. But Midwest corn producers aren’t worried. (St. Louis Public Radio)  

While combines and trucks around the region have started collecting their yields, San Jose farmer Rob Henninger is making sure he’s 100% ready to go before he hits the fields. (WMBD)

Food served in prisons and jails is notoriously dreadful. Studies show that prison diets are often lacking in nutrition, low in fruits and vegetables and high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat. In a recent report, Impact Justice highlighted Maine’s Mountain View Correctional Facility as one prison that is on the right track.  Its garden can produce more than 100-thousand pounds of vegetables each year. (NPR)

The pandemic has crated employment issues among all industries, but jobs in agriculture are unable to offer competitive incentives, bonuses and improved working environments like their local competitors. (WKEF)