The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk invites newsrooms throughout the region to join its award-winning collaborative by applying for one of five new reporting positions through Report for America. The Ag & Water Desk is a multi-newsroom team covering agriculture and the environment based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Benefits of joining the Desk include:
A full-time reporter to cover agriculture, water, climate, energy and other environmental issues
Salary support for the reporter – 50% the first year, 33% the second year, and 20% in the third year
Specialized editing assistance from the Desk’s experienced editorial staff
A peer cohort for support, best practices, story ideas and sources
Participation in award-winning projects
Training and mentoring from the Desk’s journalists
A $1,000 annual stipend for your newsroom to use on your reporter’s expenses
A free trip to the Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual conference
Increased reach for your newsroom via our distribution network and collaborations with other outlets
Increased visibility for your newsroom thanks to media appearances, awards and more
How does my newsroom apply?
Applications open Sept. 15 and close Oct. 20 at the Report for America website. Your application should detail your proposed beat and explain why you want to be part of this project. Newsrooms will be selected in December, and reporters will start working in July of 2026.
What will these reporters cover?
The Desk focuses on environmental and agricultural issues that impact people in the Mississippi River Basin. Our reporters spend roughly 80% of their time covering local issues, as directed by their newsroom, and 20% on regional stories edited by our editorial director. We cover climate change, agriculture, land use, energy, air and water pollution, environmental justice, nature and wildlife, and more. See our coverage and sign up for our newsletter at the Desk’s website.
Who’s eligible?
The Mississippi River Basin includes 31 states and newsrooms in all of them are welcome to apply. We’re interested in expanding into new states and working with newsrooms of various media types.
What if I have other questions?
Please contact Vincent McGraw at Report for America at vmccraw@reportforamerica.org or Sara Shipley Hiles at the Ag & Water Desk at sara@agwaterdesk.org.
The Ag & Water Desk recently asked a leader of Chicago’s water district and an environmental activist about the consequences of reversing the Chicago River in 1900. They shared their thoughts during the Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual conference.
The sale of US soybeans to China may rebound this year, but a fundamental shift in US policy is needed to break farmers out of their current cycle of hardship, agricultural economy experts said during an Ag & Water Desk, Arkansas Times & Investigate Midwest panel in February.
