The Price of Plenty: A How-We-Did-It Production

Ep 2: Life near the phosphate mining industry

In this second episode, host Elliot Tritto and producer Julia Cooper speak with UF reporters Lucille Lannigan and Alan Halaly. Lannigan's reporting covers Florida’s old phosphate mines that have been turned into housing developments, parks, bass lakes, golf courses and restored wetlands and other wildlife habitats. Her work asks the question "how safe are mined lands?" Halaly focused on Florida’s phosphate operations to Louisiana’s fence-line communities. His reporting asks "are the nation’s fertilizer plants, mines and phosphogypsum stacks safe from worsening hurricanes and extreme rains?" University of Florida journalists Elliot Tritto and Julia Cooper sit down with fellow reporters from UF and the University of Missouri for a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative reporting project, The Price of Plenty, covering the effects of chemical fertilizers on people and the planet. This is The Price of Plenty: A How-We-Did-It Podcast Production.  The Price of Plenty: https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/ [https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/] Funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center’s nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative [https://pulitzercenter.org/connected-coastlines], The Price of Plenty teamed up student journalists from UF [https://www.jou.ufl.edu/] and MU [https://journalism.missouri.edu/] to report on fertilizer from the ground up. They reported from Florida’s “Bone Valley” where 8-million-pound earth movers strip-mine phosphate; from agrichemical plants along the Mississippi River; from farm fields and legislative hallways; from communities stuck next door to the industry; and from the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone,” where it threatens one of the world’s most productive fisheries. Student journalists found that the industry wields outsized political power; that farmers have little incentive to use less; and that nutrient pollution persists despite exhaustive science linking fertilizer to toxic algae outbreaks and other problems. They also found that while government and industry research funding pours into fertilizer application and future markets such as hydrogen power and rare earth elements, there is a dearth of research on the human health risks associated with fertilizer production – from Florida’s reclaimed phosphate lands to Louisiana’s chemical plants. They also found promising signs of action and change. An upswing in regenerative farming practices is helping to restore polluted waterways and fight climate change. Fenceline communities next door to the industry are becoming increasingly organized in pursuit of environmental justice. The student journalists also report on solutions that rethink food production and the industry’s waste. This episode was produced and edited by Julia Cooper and Elliot Tritto. Music from Essential Radio by ALIBI Music "ALIBI-Secret Games_Full w Strings" and "ALIBI-Stolen Evidence_Full w Mallets."

Ep 8: Florida fertilizer use and industry-funded research

In this last episode, host Elliot Tritto speaks with UF reporters Abigail Hasebroock and Serra Sowers. Hasebroock's reporting focused on how fertilizer use by Florida farmers appears to be leveling off. Farmers are using less—but partly because Florida’s farmland and crop yields are shrinking. Sowers, alongside UF reporter Fernando Figueroa reported on the industry-driven environmental research agendas critics warn against relying on. University of Florida journalists Elliot Tritto and Julia Cooper sit down with fellow reporters from UF and the University of Missouri for a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative reporting project, The Price of Plenty, covering the effects of chemical fertilizers on people and the planet. This is The Price of Plenty: A How-We-Did-It Podcast Production.  The Price of Plenty: https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/ [https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/] Funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center’s nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative [https://pulitzercenter.org/connected-coastlines], The Price of Plenty teamed up student journalists from UF [https://www.jou.ufl.edu/] and MU [https://journalism.missouri.edu/] to report on fertilizer from the ground up. They reported from Florida’s “Bone Valley” where 8-million-pound earth movers strip-mine phosphate; from agrichemical plants along the Mississippi River; from farm fields and legislative hallways; from communities stuck next door to the industry; and from the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone,” where it threatens one of the world’s most productive fisheries. Student journalists found that the industry wields outsized political power; that farmers have little incentive to use less; and that nutrient pollution persists despite exhaustive science linking fertilizer to toxic algae outbreaks and other problems. They also found that while government and industry research funding pours into fertilizer application and future markets such as hydrogen power and rare earth elements, there is a dearth of research on the human health risks associated with fertilizer production – from Florida’s reclaimed phosphate lands to Louisiana’s chemical plants. They also found promising signs of action and change. An upswing in regenerative farming practices is helping to restore polluted waterways and fight climate change. Fenceline communities next door to the industry are becoming increasingly organized in pursuit of environmental justice. The student journalists also report on solutions that rethink food production and the industry’s waste. This episode was produced and edited by Julia Cooper and Elliot Tritto. Music from Essential Radio by ALIBI Music "ALIBI-Secret Games_Full w Strings" and "ALIBI-Stolen Evidence_Full w Mallets."

Ep 7: Greenhouse gas emissions

In this seventh episode, host Elliot Tritto speaks with Mizzou reporter Josie Heimsoth. Heimsoth's reporting focused on the journey of nitrogen fertilizer and its release of potent heat-trapping gases which is an extensive one, and it affects the climate along the way. According to a 2022 study in Scientific Reports, the synthetic nitrogen fertilizer supply chain is responsible for 2.1% of global heat-trapping gas emissions – greater than the emissions from all aviation.  University of Florida journalists Elliot Tritto and Julia Cooper sit down with fellow reporters from UF and the University of Missouri for a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative reporting project, The Price of Plenty, covering the effects of chemical fertilizers on people and the planet. This is The Price of Plenty: A How-We-Did-It Podcast Production.  The Price of Plenty: https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/ [https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/] Funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center’s nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative [https://pulitzercenter.org/connected-coastlines], The Price of Plenty teamed up student journalists from UF [https://www.jou.ufl.edu/] and MU [https://journalism.missouri.edu/] to report on fertilizer from the ground up. They reported from Florida’s “Bone Valley” where 8-million-pound earth movers strip-mine phosphate; from agrichemical plants along the Mississippi River; from farm fields and legislative hallways; from communities stuck next door to the industry; and from the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone,” where it threatens one of the world’s most productive fisheries. Student journalists found that the industry wields outsized political power; that farmers have little incentive to use less; and that nutrient pollution persists despite exhaustive science linking fertilizer to toxic algae outbreaks and other problems. They also found that while government and industry research funding pours into fertilizer application and future markets such as hydrogen power and rare earth elements, there is a dearth of research on the human health risks associated with fertilizer production – from Florida’s reclaimed phosphate lands to Louisiana’s chemical plants. They also found promising signs of action and change. An upswing in regenerative farming practices is helping to restore polluted waterways and fight climate change. Fenceline communities next door to the industry are becoming increasingly organized in pursuit of environmental justice. The student journalists also report on solutions that rethink food production and the industry’s waste. This episode was produced and edited by Julia Cooper and Elliot Tritto. Music from Essential Radio by ALIBI Music "ALIBI-Secret Games_Full w Strings" and "ALIBI-Stolen Evidence_Full w Mallets."

Ep 6: Record-high fertilizer earnings

In this sixth episode, host Elliot Tritto speaks with Mizzou reporter Noah Zahn. Zahn's reporting focused on fertilizer companies who are seeing the highest profits on record as farmers and others who rely on fertilizer have no choice but to spend more. University of Florida journalists Elliot Tritto and Julia Cooper sit down with fellow reporters from UF and the University of Missouri for a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative reporting project, The Price of Plenty, covering the effects of chemical fertilizers on people and the planet. This is The Price of Plenty: A How-We-Did-It Podcast Production.  The Price of Plenty: https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/ [https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/] Funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center’s nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative [https://pulitzercenter.org/connected-coastlines], The Price of Plenty teamed up student journalists from UF [https://www.jou.ufl.edu/] and MU [https://journalism.missouri.edu/] to report on fertilizer from the ground up. They reported from Florida’s “Bone Valley” where 8-million-pound earth movers strip-mine phosphate; from agrichemical plants along the Mississippi River; from farm fields and legislative hallways; from communities stuck next door to the industry; and from the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone,” where it threatens one of the world’s most productive fisheries. Student journalists found that the industry wields outsized political power; that farmers have little incentive to use less; and that nutrient pollution persists despite exhaustive science linking fertilizer to toxic algae outbreaks and other problems. They also found that while government and industry research funding pours into fertilizer application and future markets such as hydrogen power and rare earth elements, there is a dearth of research on the human health risks associated with fertilizer production – from Florida’s reclaimed phosphate lands to Louisiana’s chemical plants. They also found promising signs of action and change. An upswing in regenerative farming practices is helping to restore polluted waterways and fight climate change. Fenceline communities next door to the industry are becoming increasingly organized in pursuit of environmental justice. The student journalists also report on solutions that rethink food production and the industry’s waste. This episode was produced and edited by Julia Cooper and Elliot Tritto. Music from Essential Radio by ALIBI Music "ALIBI-Secret Games_Full w Strings" and "ALIBI-Stolen Evidence_Full w Mallets."

Ep 5: The 2023 federal Farm Bill

In this fifth episode, host Elliot Tritto speaks with Mizzou reporter Lauren Hines-Acosta. Hines-Acosta's reporting focused on a legislative package, projected to cost an estimated $1.5 trillion over 10 years that could have big implications for conservation in agriculture – including the production and use of fertilizer. The farm bill, which goes up for renewal every five years, addresses fertilizer use indirectly by setting the direction for agriculture policy and funding. It also includes funding for nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. University of Florida journalists Elliot Tritto and Julia Cooper sit down with fellow reporters from UF and the University of Missouri for a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative reporting project, The Price of Plenty, covering the effects of chemical fertilizers on people and the planet. This is The Price of Plenty: A How-We-Did-It Podcast Production.  The Price of Plenty: https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/ [https://projects.wuft.org/priceofplenty/] Funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center’s nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative [https://pulitzercenter.org/connected-coastlines], The Price of Plenty teamed up student journalists from UF [https://www.jou.ufl.edu/] and MU [https://journalism.missouri.edu/] to report on fertilizer from the ground up. They reported from Florida’s “Bone Valley” where 8-million-pound earth movers strip-mine phosphate; from agrichemical plants along the Mississippi River; from farm fields and legislative hallways; from communities stuck next door to the industry; and from the Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone,” where it threatens one of the world’s most productive fisheries. Student journalists found that the industry wields outsized political power; that farmers have little incentive to use less; and that nutrient pollution persists despite exhaustive science linking fertilizer to toxic algae outbreaks and other problems. They also found that while government and industry research funding pours into fertilizer application and future markets such as hydrogen power and rare earth elements, there is a dearth of research on the human health risks associated with fertilizer production – from Florida’s reclaimed phosphate lands to Louisiana’s chemical plants. They also found promising signs of action and change. An upswing in regenerative farming practices is helping to restore polluted waterways and fight climate change. Fenceline communities next door to the industry are becoming increasingly organized in pursuit of environmental justice. The student journalists also report on solutions that rethink food production and the industry’s waste. This episode was produced and edited by Julia Cooper and Elliot Tritto. Music from Essential Radio by ALIBI Music "ALIBI-Secret Games_Full w Strings" and "ALIBI-Stolen Evidence_Full w Mallets."