Farm safety at any speed A reinforced safety net is a priority for the next farm bill, but a customized fit has proved difficult to fashion and sprouted unintended consequences. A fair price for whom? Fair-price programs might be popular with farmers and lawmakers, but they carry with them a wheelbarrow full of both obvious and subtle ill effects.

Green is good
Doubling as income support, many believe paying farmers for better environmental outcomes is an idea worth fertilizing.

Ninth District Features

Full throttle for high-speed rail?
High-speed rail likely hinges on federal funding, but does getting such funding automatically make it a good idea?

With a little help from our friends
Though declining in number, co-ops find new ways to help farmers and rural communities.

Not milk?
Midwest dairy is dying, says the conventional wisdom. Not gonna happen, say district farmers.

District Voices

What is your business outlook for the spring and summer building season?

District Data

Echo boomers are in their 20s

Heavy construction slips in 2001

State Roundups

Michigan        Minnesota       Montana
North Dakota  South Dakota  Wisconsin

Special Maps & Charts

U.S. Map:
Value of Total Direct Government Payments to Farmers, 2000