Robert Hirschfeld
@rfhirschfeld.bsky.social
Director of Water Policy at Prairie Rivers Network in Illinois.
The rural Midwest doesn’t have to be a sacrifice zone for corn and soybeans.
The rural Midwest doesn’t have to be a sacrifice zone for corn and soybeans.
Pinned
How Herbicide Drift from Farms Is Harming Trees in Midwest
Researchers are starting to pay closer attention to the widespread damage wrought by agricultural herbicides. Drifting sprays may not kill trees, shrubs, and other nontarget plants outright, but exper...
e360.yale.edu
Proud that our research on widespread herbicide damage to trees is being covered by @yalee360.bsky.social
And our findings have been backed by @illinoisdnr.bsky.social's 2024 study, which found herbicides at 97% of forest, prairie & wetland sites tested across Illinois e360.yale.edu/features/her...
And our findings have been backed by @illinoisdnr.bsky.social's 2024 study, which found herbicides at 97% of forest, prairie & wetland sites tested across Illinois e360.yale.edu/features/her...
"Until December, it had been 200 years since a bison set foot on Kane County tallgrass prairie.
"For thousands of years, tens of millions of American bison thundered over the prairie and through the forests across North America. In just two decades, they were reduced to an estimated 500..."
"For thousands of years, tens of millions of American bison thundered over the prairie and through the forests across North America. In just two decades, they were reduced to an estimated 500..."
In Kane County’s new bison herd, a chance for Native Americans to reclaim what’s lost
The captivating reintroduction of six bison in a forest preserve has deeper meaning to Indigenous people and advocates of tallgrass prairie restoration.
www.wbez.org
January 23, 2026 at 9:54 PM
"Until December, it had been 200 years since a bison set foot on Kane County tallgrass prairie.
"For thousands of years, tens of millions of American bison thundered over the prairie and through the forests across North America. In just two decades, they were reduced to an estimated 500..."
"For thousands of years, tens of millions of American bison thundered over the prairie and through the forests across North America. In just two decades, they were reduced to an estimated 500..."
Reposted by Robert Hirschfeld
Spring fertilizer application in January on frozen ground in 32 mph winds.
Democratic politicians love this! Every child should be so lucky to see it in action!
When the next rain comes, all of it will wash into the Embarras River.
Why stop at E15? I bet we could blend 50% ethanol!
Democratic politicians love this! Every child should be so lucky to see it in action!
When the next rain comes, all of it will wash into the Embarras River.
Why stop at E15? I bet we could blend 50% ethanol!
January 21, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Spring fertilizer application in January on frozen ground in 32 mph winds.
Democratic politicians love this! Every child should be so lucky to see it in action!
When the next rain comes, all of it will wash into the Embarras River.
Why stop at E15? I bet we could blend 50% ethanol!
Democratic politicians love this! Every child should be so lucky to see it in action!
When the next rain comes, all of it will wash into the Embarras River.
Why stop at E15? I bet we could blend 50% ethanol!
"the art also offers clues for a long-running historical mystery... about how Homo sapiens first journeyed from Asia to Australia."
As you can see clearly from the cave paintings, they moved across the planet by chasing chocobos from atop dragons. www.barrons.com/news/world-s...
As you can see clearly from the cave paintings, they moved across the planet by chasing chocobos from atop dragons. www.barrons.com/news/world-s...
World's Oldest Cave Art Discovered In Indonesia
A red stencil of a hand pressed against the wall of an Indonesian cave is the oldest rock art ever discovered, scientists said Wednesday, and sheds light on how humans first migrated to Australia.
www.barrons.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:46 PM
"the art also offers clues for a long-running historical mystery... about how Homo sapiens first journeyed from Asia to Australia."
As you can see clearly from the cave paintings, they moved across the planet by chasing chocobos from atop dragons. www.barrons.com/news/world-s...
As you can see clearly from the cave paintings, they moved across the planet by chasing chocobos from atop dragons. www.barrons.com/news/world-s...
Spring fertilizer application in January on frozen ground in 32 mph winds.
Democratic politicians love this! Every child should be so lucky to see it in action!
When the next rain comes, all of it will wash into the Embarras River.
Why stop at E15? I bet we could blend 50% ethanol!
Democratic politicians love this! Every child should be so lucky to see it in action!
When the next rain comes, all of it will wash into the Embarras River.
Why stop at E15? I bet we could blend 50% ethanol!
January 21, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Spring fertilizer application in January on frozen ground in 32 mph winds.
Democratic politicians love this! Every child should be so lucky to see it in action!
When the next rain comes, all of it will wash into the Embarras River.
Why stop at E15? I bet we could blend 50% ethanol!
Democratic politicians love this! Every child should be so lucky to see it in action!
When the next rain comes, all of it will wash into the Embarras River.
Why stop at E15? I bet we could blend 50% ethanol!
JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats think it’s great to use Illinois farmland to overproduce corn to burn in gas tanks.
Dust storms and polluted water are just an unfortunate cost we must live with in order to burn more corn. Gotta keep those corn prices artificially high!
Dust storms and polluted water are just an unfortunate cost we must live with in order to burn more corn. Gotta keep those corn prices artificially high!
January 21, 2026 at 12:12 AM
JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats think it’s great to use Illinois farmland to overproduce corn to burn in gas tanks.
Dust storms and polluted water are just an unfortunate cost we must live with in order to burn more corn. Gotta keep those corn prices artificially high!
Dust storms and polluted water are just an unfortunate cost we must live with in order to burn more corn. Gotta keep those corn prices artificially high!
Reposted by Robert Hirschfeld
"Left unplugged, some of these wells leak toxic chemicals hundreds of feet below the surface, potentially contaminating groundwater, and spit climate-warming methane gas into the atmosphere." Jonathan Bullington and @adrianaperez.bsky.social
At one time, Illinois was a top oil producer. Today, that legacy is a $160M problem.
Abandoned oil and gas wells pose environmental and public health risks. For three decades, the state has mismanaged funds earmarked for minimizing the threat.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:33 PM
"Left unplugged, some of these wells leak toxic chemicals hundreds of feet below the surface, potentially contaminating groundwater, and spit climate-warming methane gas into the atmosphere." Jonathan Bullington and @adrianaperez.bsky.social
LET THEM FIGHT dot GIF
Illinois Farm Bureau board members refuse to resign
Defeated Illinois Farm Bureau board members refuse to resign from Country Mutual board, creating unprecedented turmoil.
www.farmprogress.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:20 AM
LET THEM FIGHT dot GIF
Ag fearmongering about the apocalypse if we put wetlands protections back to where they were 3 years ago is so funny
As if we weren’t already massively overproducing corn and soybeans
As if we weren’t already massively overproducing corn and soybeans
"For years, Illinois counted on the feds to take the lead in curbing water pollution. These days, the state needs to act when court rulings upend long-standing practices and undermine compelling public interests."
The @chicagotribune.com editorial board calls on lawmakers to protect wetlands.
The @chicagotribune.com editorial board calls on lawmakers to protect wetlands.
Editorial: A Supreme Court ruling has put Illinois’ wetlands at risk. Springfield should respond.
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned long-standing federal protections for wetlands, some states were left without any wetlands regulation. Illinois is one of them.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Ag fearmongering about the apocalypse if we put wetlands protections back to where they were 3 years ago is so funny
As if we weren’t already massively overproducing corn and soybeans
As if we weren’t already massively overproducing corn and soybeans
"For years, Illinois counted on the feds to take the lead in curbing water pollution. These days, the state needs to act when court rulings upend long-standing practices and undermine compelling public interests."
The @chicagotribune.com editorial board calls on lawmakers to protect wetlands.
The @chicagotribune.com editorial board calls on lawmakers to protect wetlands.
Editorial: A Supreme Court ruling has put Illinois’ wetlands at risk. Springfield should respond.
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned long-standing federal protections for wetlands, some states were left without any wetlands regulation. Illinois is one of them.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:12 PM
"For years, Illinois counted on the feds to take the lead in curbing water pollution. These days, the state needs to act when court rulings upend long-standing practices and undermine compelling public interests."
The @chicagotribune.com editorial board calls on lawmakers to protect wetlands.
The @chicagotribune.com editorial board calls on lawmakers to protect wetlands.
Reposted by Robert Hirschfeld
This map is shocking.
January 13, 2026 at 12:01 AM
This map is shocking.
In America, everything has a dollar value
except human lives
those don't count
except human lives
those don't count
January 12, 2026 at 6:08 PM
In America, everything has a dollar value
except human lives
those don't count
except human lives
those don't count
One thing I've always liked about Illinois is that the shape of the state reminds me of an arrowhead.
Here's one found along the Saline Branch north of Urbana, dating to roughly 400-900 AD.
Here's one found along the Saline Branch north of Urbana, dating to roughly 400-900 AD.
January 7, 2026 at 9:35 PM
One thing I've always liked about Illinois is that the shape of the state reminds me of an arrowhead.
Here's one found along the Saline Branch north of Urbana, dating to roughly 400-900 AD.
Here's one found along the Saline Branch north of Urbana, dating to roughly 400-900 AD.
I don't trust any culture that pursues wolf extermination.
And for the record, wolves are amazing and have the right to exist even if they don't prevent car accidents.
wapo.st/4qotrLK
And for the record, wolves are amazing and have the right to exist even if they don't prevent car accidents.
wapo.st/4qotrLK
Wolves, long feared and reviled, may actually be lifesavers
A new line of research has revealed a surprising finding about how the presence of wolves helps keep people safe.
wapo.st
December 29, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I don't trust any culture that pursues wolf extermination.
And for the record, wolves are amazing and have the right to exist even if they don't prevent car accidents.
wapo.st/4qotrLK
And for the record, wolves are amazing and have the right to exist even if they don't prevent car accidents.
wapo.st/4qotrLK
Climate change denier who thinks the city’s last yard waste pickup is now too early in the season.
December 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Climate change denier who thinks the city’s last yard waste pickup is now too early in the season.
There's a shortage of perfect forests in this world. It would be a pity to damage the Shawnee.
How the Trump administration is fast-tracking logging in Illinois’ only national forest
Facing pressure to increase timber harvests, the U.S. Forest Service is sidestepping rigorous environmental reviews and limiting public participation in a project in southern Illinois’ Shawnee Nationa...
www.wbez.org
December 17, 2025 at 4:58 PM
There's a shortage of perfect forests in this world. It would be a pity to damage the Shawnee.
Yes oil prices are low but we’ll just drill more oil to make up the difference.
Yes corn prices are low but we’ll just plant more corn to make up the difference.
Yes milk prices are low but we’ll just…
Yes corn prices are low but we’ll just plant more corn to make up the difference.
Yes milk prices are low but we’ll just…
“.. with real oil prices now below their 2014 level, the question is whether there will be another bust in the oil industry.”
@cepr.org
cepr.net/publications...
@cepr.org
cepr.net/publications...
December 17, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Yes oil prices are low but we’ll just drill more oil to make up the difference.
Yes corn prices are low but we’ll just plant more corn to make up the difference.
Yes milk prices are low but we’ll just…
Yes corn prices are low but we’ll just plant more corn to make up the difference.
Yes milk prices are low but we’ll just…
I can’t think of any network news chiefs before Bari who themselves wanted to be a star in front of the camera.
Very 2025.
Very 2025.
Bari Weiss’ much-hyped CBS News town hall with Erika Kirk was a massive ratings flop
Bari Weiss’ much-hyped CBS News town hall with Erika Kirk was a massive ratings flop
www.independent.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I can’t think of any network news chiefs before Bari who themselves wanted to be a star in front of the camera.
Very 2025.
Very 2025.
You don’t really need many farmers to grow corn and soybeans to burn in gas tanks or as jet fuel (or whatever else they're being used for).
Good thing that’s what all the land speculators and seed and chemical companies… sorry, excuse me… “farmer advocacy groups” are out there advocating for.
Good thing that’s what all the land speculators and seed and chemical companies… sorry, excuse me… “farmer advocacy groups” are out there advocating for.
Farmerless farms are on the horizon
Robotics – the last nail in rural America’s coffin
theiowamercury.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:56 PM
You don’t really need many farmers to grow corn and soybeans to burn in gas tanks or as jet fuel (or whatever else they're being used for).
Good thing that’s what all the land speculators and seed and chemical companies… sorry, excuse me… “farmer advocacy groups” are out there advocating for.
Good thing that’s what all the land speculators and seed and chemical companies… sorry, excuse me… “farmer advocacy groups” are out there advocating for.
The 100 Best Photos of 2025 by the @chicagotribune.com photographers.
A trove of incredible photos by some tremendously talented photographers.
Gift link: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/t...
A trove of incredible photos by some tremendously talented photographers.
Gift link: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/t...
The 100 best photos of 2025 by Chicago Tribune photographers
In 2025, we covered an extraordinary year defined by joy, sadness and turmoil. Our photo editors curated some of the best images from 2025 in this collection.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The 100 Best Photos of 2025 by the @chicagotribune.com photographers.
A trove of incredible photos by some tremendously talented photographers.
Gift link: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/t...
A trove of incredible photos by some tremendously talented photographers.
Gift link: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/t...
Insane story
The CIA once hauled a plutonium-powered "portable nuclear device” up a Himalayan peak to spy on China—then a blizzard hit and they left it behind.
It’s likely still buried in a glacier feeding the Ganges—a river system that supports ~600 million people. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The CIA once hauled a plutonium-powered "portable nuclear device” up a Himalayan peak to spy on China—then a blizzard hit and they left it behind.
It’s likely still buried in a glacier feeding the Ganges—a river system that supports ~600 million people. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
How Did the C.I.A. Lose a Nuclear Device in the Himalayas? (Gift Article)
A plutonium-packed generator disappeared on one of the world’s highest mountains in a covert mission that the U.S. will not talk about.
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Insane story
The CIA once hauled a plutonium-powered "portable nuclear device” up a Himalayan peak to spy on China—then a blizzard hit and they left it behind.
It’s likely still buried in a glacier feeding the Ganges—a river system that supports ~600 million people. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The CIA once hauled a plutonium-powered "portable nuclear device” up a Himalayan peak to spy on China—then a blizzard hit and they left it behind.
It’s likely still buried in a glacier feeding the Ganges—a river system that supports ~600 million people. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Toy store AI Dog
No. Absolutely not.
No. Absolutely not.
December 11, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Toy store AI Dog
No. Absolutely not.
No. Absolutely not.
Local officials in poorer areas are eager for a deal to build data centers—even if they don't quite know the terms.
Meanwhile, wealthier areas are saying "no."
We must have Abundance, but, you know, put it over there.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/07/b...
Meanwhile, wealthier areas are saying "no."
We must have Abundance, but, you know, put it over there.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/07/b...
A Mysterious Company Came to Town With a $165 Billion Idea
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Local officials in poorer areas are eager for a deal to build data centers—even if they don't quite know the terms.
Meanwhile, wealthier areas are saying "no."
We must have Abundance, but, you know, put it over there.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/07/b...
Meanwhile, wealthier areas are saying "no."
We must have Abundance, but, you know, put it over there.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/07/b...
Elizabeth Catlett exhibition at @artinstitutechi.bsky.social is so good.
December 10, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Elizabeth Catlett exhibition at @artinstitutechi.bsky.social is so good.
TBF, They were smuggling a kind of highly addictive civilizational black tar heroin
December 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
TBF, They were smuggling a kind of highly addictive civilizational black tar heroin
“We’re going to ban China from owning American farmland.”
December 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
“We’re going to ban China from owning American farmland.”