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Nitrogen in the waterways; sounds at the state fair

A new report from the US Department of Agriculture has found that through voluntary conservation measures, farmers reduced the amount of nitrogen that washes off their fields into Mississippi River watershed waterways by 21 percent. That's good news for water treatment plants that spend millions of dollars each year to remove farm chemicals from drinking water supplies. Harvest Public Media’s Abbie Fentress Swanson takes a look at the particular challenge posed by the nitrogen in fertilizer, which has been running into Midwest streams at concerning levels this summer.

Now, it’s August. The days are growing shorter, fall is approaching, and although most schools have started, summer isn’t done just yet. All over the country folks are flocking to that ultimate summer tradition – the state fair.

Carnival rides and games, meat on a stick, livestock competitions – the Midwest does state fairs up right. But not all of us can get out there. That’s why Harvest Public Media is bringing us this trip to the state fair in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.

This audio postcard came to us from Harvest Public Media reporters Amy Mayer, Abbie Fentriss Swanson, Bill Wheelhouse and Jeremy Bernfeld.

Kristofor left KBIA in fall of 2021