Question: "Is Minnesota's groundwater rule enough enough to curb farm fertilizer pollution?"
Answer: No.
11.03.2026 22:07
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Question: "Is Minnesota's groundwater rule enough enough to curb farm fertilizer pollution?"
Answer: No.
I worked there for a year, so I have a love/hate relationship with an owl in the library.
The true original conservationists who feed and fuel the world...
A stylized owl sculpted into a heating grate at Walter Library.
One of many owls carved into the stone wall of the Walter Library Reading Room.
An owl sculpted into a metal gate on the first floor of Walter Library.
The vast majority of the owls can be found in light fixtures of the library. There are 946 of these stylized owl logos.
Screw it. It is Spring Break here at the U and I've finally done something I have always wanted to do: count all the owls at Walter Library. For the first time since the library was renovated in 2002, here is a complete count of all the owls carved, chiseled, and sculpted into the library: 1,167!
Yes, but did you include the Wise Owl Cafe?
The problem with nitrate is that it is relatively cheap. Overapplying, at rates that exceed what are recommended by the U. of MN extension and the state of Minnesota, is less costly than under-applying.
A great source of info. on this topic is @theswinerepublic.bsky.social (Iowa water pollution)
He goes on to say
βThe bottom line is any changes that have happened up on the surface probably aren't going to manifest themselves for a number of years, and so it's very difficult to gauge progress in the short term, given that situation,β
So why try Β―\_(γ)_/Β―
This quote from an educator from the University of Minnesota Extension is just bonkers
β[Farmers certainly want to do the best job they can, if for no other reason because the point at which we minimize loss to the environment is also the most profitable point."
There is still time to add your comment for cleaner water!
βWe've seen that voluntary actions alone don't work. We've been doing that for 30 years. The nitrate pollution is unimproving,β
The problem with volunteer conservation is that you need volunteers...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
The boycott is over? Not for me it's not.
I haven't seen Target do nearly enough to "win me back".
www.startribune.com/target-natio...
"the devices collect real-time data from transmission lines, such as air temperature, wind speed and current voltage, [which] impact how much electricity can safely travel through a power line...[resulting in] up to 60% more capacity on certain transmission lines"
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Here is the link to the new podcast.
www.npr.org/podcasts/fis...
Neat story from 1A on PFAS in drinking water.
Also a link to a new podcast 'Safe to Drink'
...and by "neat" I mean terrible as the episode really lays bare how common PFAS is in drinking water and in our daily lives.
the1a.org/segments/nhp...
Neat! Yeah, we collected some good data for a few years. The issue was what to do with the data as many viewed it as not "publishable" (i.e., not an interesting story to tell)
Glad to hear work is still being done. In spite of support from the state of Iowa.
My legacy lives on! What type of meeting were you at?
A great person to follow to learn more about the economics of agriculture and the systemic issues in how we fund agriculture is the great Dr. Silvia Secchi @profsecchi.bsky.social
We, as tax payers, subsidize the installation of drain tile (and other agricultural activities) in Minnesota.
Making sure we utilize our money correctly and protecting the environment are both important ventures.
This article did a nice job of explaining the issues with using tile to drain agricultural land.
While true that more corn can be grown, corn is king when it comes to nitrate pollution.
Drain tile moves water faster increasing stream flow and causing stream erosion
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
"the limits are projected to reduce the amount of particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, lead, cadmium, mercury, carbon monoxide, dioxins and furans released into the atmosphere by 3,269 tons per year"
A reduction, but not enough
www.wastedive.com/news/epa-rel...
market people are fucking hilarious you could tell them the moon was discovered to be made out of rare pokemon cards and they'd boost trading cards stock 90000%
Holding onto hope that POGs and Beanie Babies will be viewed as being collectibles once again...
Great work from EWG.
Key take away, some fruit and veg. have a lot of pesticides in/on them.
Eating organic fruit and veg. will reduce the amount in your body. This change can happen in a short period of time.
www.ewg.org/foodnews/dir...
The U.S. #EV market will grow as less-pricey models hit the market. Now, the eagerly awaited 2027 Chevrolet Bolt carries a starting price of $28,995 (*incl* destination) with a 262-mile range rating. It's at Chevy dealers today.
Still, lots of worries about its "limited run". My hot take:
(1/3)
The planet is warming at the fastest rate on record, a new study finds.
"Why aren't Minnesotans shopping here at Target anymore?"
A real mystery for Scooby Doo and the gang, for sure...
Blankiegate
Or, hear me out, they have joined the resistance.
Welcome to the resistance, Star Tribune
"Despite the initial applicationβs problems and the widespread opposition, the DNR approved the expansion in February 2025...
βThere is substantial concern as to whether Ridge Breeze can appropriately manage the manure and process wastewater it intends to generate following expansionβ"
"Both conflicts [AI data centers & CAFOs] [bring] together people of diverse political persuasions to fight outside corporate interests that [try to] build whatever they want, no matter [the ramifications to water & energy use, economies or quality of life.]"
wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/04/w...