Toxic Terrain

Fertilizer and manure in the U.S. Corn Belt contaminate water and ruin the quality of life.

Articles in this project are a joint production of Circle of Blue and The New Lede and are edited by Carey Gillam, managing editor of The New Lede.

Featured Stories

New U.S. Climate Law Will Make Water Contamination Worse

Billions in clean energy incentives rely on raw materials from polluting corn and livestock.

In Iowa, a Tale of Politics, Power, and Contaminated Water

Lawmakers silence Chris Jones, a prominent University of Iowa water quality

How Big Ag Pollutes America’s Waters and Makes Money Doing It

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Crop production practices that limit nutrients are largely ignored.

In Minnesota, Families Blame Farm Nutrient Contamination On Heavy Cancer Toll

Four families, 12 cancer cases, 7 deaths.

Despite $Billions Spent, Tide of Harmful Farm Pollutants Grows Ever Larger

“Best management practices” are not impeding flow of farm nutrients into nation’s waters. 

The Full Series

Regulators Battle Oregon and Washington Farmers Over Limits to Farm Contamination

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An effort to extricate Pacific Northwest states from mammoth…

Huge Organic Farm In Iowa Thrives Without Chemicals

An invitation to other farmers to increase profits and limit water pollution.

Amish Farmers’ Partnership With Beef Giant Produces Manure Mess

Water pollution found in in three counties in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

Michigan’s New Rules To Protect Water From Manure Attacked By Lawmakers

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State is a center of manure biodigester development.

Environmental Groups Face Off With EPA to Control Manure Pollution

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Ninth Circuit Appellate Court Hears Arguments to Compel Federal…

U.S. Movement to Limit CAFO Pollution Emboldened by Michigan Court Ruling

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State Supreme Court strengthens authority to prevent mammoth…

In Significant Decision For Michigan’s Waters, State Supreme Court Rules EGLE Has Authority To Do Its Job

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Decision sets stage for stemming mammoth tide of farm pollution…

An Iowa Farm County Seeks Answers To Cancer Rate 50% Higher Than National Average

Palo Alto County has second highest cancer incidence among all U.S. counties.

Despite $Billions Spent, Tide of Harmful Farm Pollutants Grows Ever Larger

“Best management practices” are not impeding flow of farm nutrients into nation’s waters. 

New Report Sparks Questions and Controversy Over Possible Causes for Iowa “Cancer Crisis”

Binge drinking doubted as cause of Iowa’s rising cancer incidence.

“We Can’t Sit Back” – Amid Polluted Water and Climbing Cancer Rates, Iowa Eyes Farm Chemicals

Health authorities react to rampant fertilizer and pesticide contamination in water.

Push to Turn Farm Manure into Renewable Energy Draws Concerns

Billions in Taxpayer-funded incentives for new, loosely regulated U.S. energy sector.

Will Energy From Manure Help or Harm Water Quality in Michigan?

Chevron and two utilities are building big methane biodigesters on the state’s largest dairies.

US Regulators Order Minnesota to Clean Up Nitrate Contaminated Water

EPA acts to limit an “imminent” health threat

EPA Restarts Assessment of Health Risks from Nitrate in Water

The agency will evaluate the hazards from agriculture’s primary water pollutant

“What We’re Up Against” – North Dakota Towns Fight Farm Bureau to Keep Water Clean

Tiny Pelican Township gets dragged into national campaign to upend local zoning rules.

In Minnesota, Families Blame Farm Nutrient Contamination On Heavy Cancer Toll

Four families, 12 cancer cases, 7 deaths.

Offering Up Advice For Farmers, Universities Add To US Water Pollution

Formal fertilizer recommendations encourage producers to pour on more.

Minnesota Tribe Sets Enforceable Rules To Safeguard Wild Rice and Water Supply

Ineffective voluntary pollution prevention practices are set aside for mandatory regulation.

How Big Ag Pollutes America’s Waters and Makes Money Doing It

2 Comments
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Crop production practices that limit nutrients are largely ignored.

In Iowa, a Tale of Politics, Power, and Contaminated Water

Lawmakers silence Chris Jones, a prominent University of Iowa water quality

U.S. Pushes Farmers to Develop A New Crop: Energy

But more heavily fertilized corn and more manure for methane raises worries about water pollution.

U.S. Counts on “Climate-Smart” Farms to Slow Global Warming

But skeptics assert change in practices could increase risk to water and health.

New U.S. Climate Law Will Make Water Contamination Worse

Billions in clean energy incentives rely on raw materials from polluting corn and livestock.

Opposition to CAFOs Mounts Across the Nation

Toxic manure discharges from large livestock operations is major source of water pollution.

The Alicia Patterson Foundation and the Fund For Investigative Journalism awarded investigative reporting fellowships to support this project. Along with The New Lede, co-publishers include: The Guardian, Great Lakes Now, Michigan Radio, Investigate Midwest, and MinnPost.