Author Charles Mann explains the crisis beneath our feet

by Tom Crann, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Harvesting is underway around the Midwest and millions of dollars in corn, soy beans, sugar beets, and other grains and vegetables will come out of the ground this fall. With over 27 million acres of farmland, agriculture is one of Minnesota's most important industries. That's due in large part to the very ground beneath our feet.

The soil in the American Midwest is among the most fertile ground on the planet, but the world's supply of soil is changing in some important ways. To find out how, Tom Crann sat down with author Charles Mann. He's written about soil in the September issue of National Geographic.

Read Mann's article "On Good Earth"

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 09/22/2008, 4:50 p.m.