Illinois farmers not happy with fiscal cliff deal

Jan. 2, 2013
Portions of the federal farm bill were extended through September as part of the fiscal cliff deal. Consumers can breathe a sigh of relief — milk prices won’t double this year after all. But some Illinois farmers are not so happy.

The 2012 Farm Bill opens up for debate

Jan. 9, 2012
Once every five years, Congress negotiates a new version of the Farm Bill, which plays a defining role in how we eat.

The Farm Bill

Jan. 9, 2012
The 2012 Farm Bill has now opened up for debate by Congress after the bi-partisan super committee failed to reach an agreement on how to make allocated cuts to reduce the federal budget deficit. The Farm Bill began as legislation to protect farmers against risks such as drought.

Farm Bill debate begins anew

Jan. 3, 2012
The year 2012 will be an important one for farmers in Illinois and the rest of the country, as Congress hammers out the latest Farm Bill.The Farm Bill covers everything from crop insurance to programs that help farmers limit pesticide use.

Farm bill keeps subsidies, cuts assistance for poor

Jun. 17, 2011
What do genetically engineered salmon, school lunch standards, and a controversial abortion pill have in common?

WBEZ investigation: Chicago's food desert problem

Nov. 22, 2010
Illinois uses $2 billion of the federal food stamp program.That translates into a lot of assistance for food, but it doesn’t always translate into assistance for healthy food. Parts of Chicago are food deserts – places where there’re few grocery stores with fresh produce and meat.