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Cross-section of a two-month old cerebral organoid observed under a fluorescence microscope.
Institut Pasteur-SupBiotech/NASA
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Institut Pasteur-SupBiotech/NASA
Research on conditions like autism, schizophrenia and even brain cancer increasingly relies on clusters of human cells called brain organoids.
These pea-size bits of neural tissue model aspects of human brain development as they grow for months and even years in a lab. They also make many people uneasy, in part because the brain is so closely tied to our sense of self.
A group of scientists, ethicists, patient advocates and journalists met for two days in Northern California this fall to discuss how scientists, and society, should proceed.
Among the questions:
Is it okay to place human organoids in an animal’s brain?
Can organoids feel pain?
Can they become conscious?
Who, if anyone, should regulate this research?
“We are talking about an organ that is at the seat of human consciousness. It’s the seat of personality and who we are,” says Insoo Hyun, a bioethicist at the Museum of Science, Boston, who attended the meeting.
“So it’s reasonable to be especially careful with the kind of experiments we’re doing,” he says.
Societal issues by the sea
The event was hosted by Dr. Sergiu Pașca, a prominent organoid researcher whose lab at Stanford University used the technology to develop a potential treatment for a rare cause of autism and epilepsy.
Organoids are allowing scientists to study brain cells and circuits that don’t exist in animals,Pașca says.
“For the first time, we have this ability to really work with human neurons and human glial cells,” he says, “and ask questions about these really mysterious disorders of the brain.”
“Of course, there are issues of ethics and societal implications and religious views that have to be taken into consideration,” he says. Many of those issues were outlined in a recent article by Pasca and others in the journal Science.
To take the next step, Pașca invited a group to the Asilomar Conference Center on the Monterey Peninsula. It’s the spot where, 50 years earlier, another group met to hash out the first ethical guidelines for genetic engineering.
Organizers of the organoid event had more modest expectations.
“Our goal for this meeting was to just bring everybody together across all these fields and start brainstorming,” Pașca says.
That happened — in formal sessions, coffee breaks, after-hours social gatherings and even walks on the beach. And participants brought widely varying perspectives.
Risk vs. reward
Scientists and patient advocates at the meeting often emphasized the need to quickly answer questions and find cures.
Bioethicists were more likely to speak about the importance of guardrails to make sure people consent to having their cells made into organoids, and to discourage any efforts to enhance the brains of animals or humans.
There was consensus, though, on the need to keep the public informed.
When people hear about brain organoid research, they tend to have one overarching and quite reasonable question for scientists, says Alta Charo, professor emerita of law and bioethics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
“How far along are they in building organoids that can actually recapitulate something that we associate with human capacities?” she says. “Have we reached a point where we’re worried?”
Not yet, probably. But the prospect seems closer now that scientists are linking multiple organoids to create more brain-like structures called assembloids, Charo says.
Pasca’s team, for example, has built a network of four organoids to model the pathway that carries pain signals to the brain.
That sounds disturbing, Charo says, unless you understand that this network of cells lacks the circuitry to feel pain.
“The mere existence of the pain pathway, I think, is enough to give a public perception problem that the organoid or the assembloid is suffering,” Charo says. “And yet, if the pathway that allows for this emotional aversion doesn’t exist, then there’s no suffering.”
And no ethical issue, for now.
Even so, she says, researchers and regulators should probably be looking ahead, rather than waiting until there is an actual problem.
A perception problem
Several participants faulted the media for glossing over the current limits on what organoids can do, and for describing these clusters of cells as “mini-brains.”
That sort of coverage has led some people to falsely believe there are labs with “brains growing in a petri dish,” says Dr. Guo-li Ming, an organoid researcher at the University of Pennsylvania.
Scientists need to counter that notion and explain how organoid research is helping people with life-threatening diseases, Ming says.
Her own lab, for example, is working to customize brain cancer treatment using organoids derived from a patient’s own tumor cells. That allows doctors to ensure a cancer drug is effective for the patient’s specific tumor.
Ming also thinks it’s too soon to worry about organoids becoming conscious because “we’re far from mimicking the brain activity in real human beings.”
Even so, organoid scientists “definitely need some guidelines,” Ming says, because of current public concern and the potential for inappropriate research in the future.
New cells, old issues
The ethical and societal issues surrounding brain organoids echo those related to stem cell research more than 20 years ago.
Back then, there was concern that neural stem cells might give animals human-like cognitive abilities.
It turned out those human cells didn’t do well in another species’ brain. But organoids, which start out as stem cells, can thrive in animal brains and even integrate with their circuitry.
“So what used to be a very hot issue in stem cell research has now come back,” Hyun says.
Hyun was part of a group that worked on organoid guidelines for the International Society for Stem Cell Research five years ago, when the need for oversight seemed less pressing.
“We had a let’s wait and see attitude,” he says, because it was not clear how long it would take for organoid technology to become concerning. “We’ve gotten to the point rather quickly.”
Hyun’s immediate concern is protecting research animals from organoid experiments that could cause suffering. But in the long term, he says, it may take guidelines and government oversight to ensure that organoid research doesn’t harm, or horrify, people.
The Asilomar meeting suggests many scientists know that, and want help navigating this new scientific frontier.
A new year means a new batch of gardens to showcase, but as I was preparing for the holiday break I realized it has been awhile since I’ve given an update on some of my favorite plants: my cacti and succulent collection. When I became Garden Photo of the Day editor back in May 2024, I introduced myself with a handful of photos from my indoor garden (Cacti and Succulent Gardening in Connecticut). Since then, I have occasionally shared a few highlights, but there have been plenty of updates and additions that I haven’t gotten around to sharing on the blog. Today I’m finally sharing some new houseplant photos in hopes of inspiring more GPODers to submit photos of their indoor plant collections.
My taste in plants might not be for everyone, but I’ve always been attracted to unconventional shapes and interesting growing patterns. Cacti and succulents are no longer hard to find at nurseries and plant shops, but I’m always keeping my eye out for species that stand out from the crowd. When I was browsing one of my local indoor plant stores, this variegated Joseph’s Coat (Opuntia monacantha variegata, Zones 9–10) instantly grabbed my attention.
Another new addition that was too fascinating to leave behind was this ‘White Ghost’ euphorbia (Euphorbia lactea ‘White Ghost’, Zones 10–11). At the time of purchase, it was flushed with pink, but that has since been replaced with lots of new growth. This is by far the largest plant in my indoor collection and it has been a big adjustment adding it to my maintenance routine, but it has encouraged me to consider even larger additions in the future.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some old favorites gave me new excitement this year. This Zebra haworthia (Haworthiopsis attenuata, Zones 9–11) is one of the oldest in my collection, a plant I’ve had for many years now. It has been low-maintenance and soldiered on through extended periods of neglect. What started as three little rosettes has grown wider and much taller, but, for the first time this year…
We have babies! As if out of nowhere, I peeked inside this pot one day and saw three offshoots reaching for the sun. It might be time to start dividing this plant, but that is a decision and project for spring.
New to me but not necessarily new, this bird’s nest snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Jade’, Zones 9–11) has grown from remnants of a plant that my mother was planning on sending to the trash. After potting up a couple cuttings and a tiny chunk of the plant that hadn’t completely died, it sprung right back to life. During the summer it started thriving, sending out lovely, bright green growth.
Lastly, a plant I’ll never tire of sharing: Baby’s Necklace succulent (Crassula ‘Baby’s Necklace’, Zones 10–11). Last year my plant suffered some serious leaf loss and needed major rehabilitation. After hours of trimming I collected enough cuttings to fill two small pots. This is the smaller of the two, and it brings me so much joy to see them thriving again and soon in need of a repot.
I hope you all enjoyed this little indoor plant update! Now that most of our outdoor gardens are in their winter slumber, many of us turn to houseplants to itch that gardening scratch. Although Garden Photo of the Day tends to be dominated by the outdoor plants that make our hearts sing, I hope this post inspires you to share some of the indoor plants that make the colder months a little bit more green. Follow the NEW directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!
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You can also send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
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Green juice has become more popular in recent years, especially during fasting or detox. It’s one of those wellness trends people either swear by or completely write off. For some it’s a daily habit that brings energy, while others just notice blood sugar spikes and get hangry (hungry + angry).
I’ve experimented with green juice for years. And while they’re not a magical cure all, they can have some very real benefits. It depends on how you use it, what you put in it, and when you drink it.
Instead of framing it as simply a detox or a meal replacement, I look at green juice as a healthy addition. When used intentionally as a nutrient boost (not a nutritional crutch) it can be a really helpful addition to a whole-foods lifestyle.
Green Juice as a Meal Replacement
One of the most common ways people use green juice is as a breakfast replacement or as part of a juice fast. It sounds great: flood the body with vitamins and give your digestion a “break.” But in reality, that approach can backfire.
Juicing removes most of the insoluble fiber from fruits and vegetables. Fiber plays an important role in slowing down sugar absorption, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, and helping us feel full. Without it, juices, especially fruit juice, can quickly raise blood sugar. Sugary juice for breakfast means higher cortisol levels, energy crashes, sugar cravings later in the day, and disrupted hunger hormones.
This is why I’m not a huge fan of drinking only juice for breakfast. I like to front-load my hydration and protein early in the day to stabilize blood sugar and support hormones. Research consistently shows that higher-protein breakfasts keep us feeling fuller longer. They also help with insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health compared to carbohydrate-heavy ones. Starting the day with juice alone doesn’t offer those benefits.
That said, a green juice doesn’t have to be sugary or metabolically disruptive.
Green Juice as a Nutrient Boost
I prefer to think of green juice as concentrated nourishment. A well-made green juice is naturally lower in sugar than most juicing recipes. Plus you get a large amount of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that are easily absorbed.
According to the CDC, about 90% of Americans don’t eat enough veggies. Even with the best intentions, getting several cups of leafy greens, herbs, and hydrating vegetables into meals every single day is a challenge. Green juice is an easy way to get more veggie nutrition without all of that chewing.
Another benefit is hydration. Green juices contain potassium, magnesium, sodium, and trace minerals that help water actually move into cells. This is why many people find green juice more hydrating than plain water alone. Proper hydration isn’t just about fluid, it’s about electrolytes, and vegetables naturally provide them in balanced amounts.
Of course, eating whole fruits and veggies is still important!
Juicing vs. Smoothies: Why Both Have a Place
I love smoothies, especially ones that combine fruit, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats. They’re filling, support healthy blood sugar, and taste refreshing. Sometimes drinking a thick smoothie feels like too much though. It can be heavy, especially if digestion is sluggish or appetite is low. Juicing is a great alternative.
By removing most of the insoluble fiber, you’re able to get the nutrients without getting full so fast. Vitamins and antioxidants are absorbed quickly in liquid form since our body doesn’t have to work as hard to digest them. For someone recovering from illness, dealing with low appetite, or just looking for an easy nutrient boost, juicing can be incredibly helpful.
Juicing isn’t better than blending, it’s just different. Smoothies are more complete and filling. Juices are lighter and more concentrated. Having both tools gives you flexibility instead of forcing one approach to fit every situation.
Hydration at the Cellular Level
Hydration is about more than drinking enough water. Our cells need minerals for proper fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle function. When we don’t have enough minerals, water doesn’t hydrate as effectively.
Vegetables like celery and cucumber are naturally rich in electrolytes, especially potassium and sodium. Coconut water adds additional potassium and small amounts of magnesium. Together, these ingredients support cellular hydration.
Studies on electrolyte balance show that fluids with minerals are retained better than plain water, especially during physical activity or periods of stress. While green juice isn’t a replacement for water, it can be a meaningful complement to hydration. Especially for anyone struggling to drink enough fluids throughout the day.
The Benefits of Green Juice Ingredients
I’ll get to the actual recipe in just a second, but first I wanted to explain why I chose these ingredients. You’ll notice there’s a whole lot of veggies and not a lot of fruit here. And the fruits I do use are naturally very low in sugar. This combination offers hydration, micronutrients, antioxidants, and gentle digestive support.
Celery
I’m a big fan of celery juice even by itself. Celery is high in water, potassium, and sodium, which is great for hydration and electrolyte balance. Unlike conventional sports drinks, celery provides these minerals in a whole-food form our body recognizes and uses more efficiently. It’s great for anyone who feels dehydrated despite drinking water.
Celery also has antioxidant flavonoids like apigenin and luteolin, which have been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects. You’ll also get vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and iron with celery.
Cucumber
Next to celery, cucumbers are one of the most hydrating vegetables, with over 95% water content. They also provide small but meaningful amounts of potassium and vitamin K to support fluid balance and normal blood clotting. Their high water content also helps dilute some of the stronger flavors in green juice.
Beyond hydration, cucumbers have antioxidants like cucurbitacins and flavonoids. Researchers have found that the compounds in cucumbers have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects. Plus, cucumber is just so refreshing.
Green Apple
Green apples add just enough natural sweetness to balance out the bitter greens without adding too much sugar. Compared to sweeter apple varieties, green apples are lower in fructose and have a more gradual impact on blood sugar when used in small amounts.
They also have polyphenols like quercetin, an antioxidant that helps support the immune system. Not only does quercetin show anti-cancer activity, but it’s also antiviral and supports healthy blood vessels. And with potassium, B vitamins, and vitamin K, it’s a delicious and healthy addition to green juice.
Kale
Most green juice recipes feature leafy greens like spinach, kale, or chard. Kale is really nutrient-dense, providing vitamins A, C, and K, along with folate and manganese. These nutrients support immune function, collagen production, and normal blood clotting, all of which are essential for overall health.
More importantly, kale is low in oxalates compared to greens like spinach and Swiss chard. It also has calcium, which can bind to oxalates in the digestive tract and reduce absorption. Not everyone has issues with high oxalate foods, but over time, especially in large amounts, they can cause problems.
Lemon Juice
Lemon adds brightness and some tang from vitamin C, a key nutrient for immune health and collagen synthesis. Vitamin C also enhances the absorption of certain minerals, including non-heme iron from plant foods. Lemon stimulates digestion and can help green juice feel lighter, especially when combined with mineral-rich vegetables.
Some recipes call for adding a peeled lemon to the juicer, but I don’t want to bother with peeling a lemon. Instead, I just cut it in half and squeeze the lemon juice in. It’s also great for grip strength!
Ginger
Ginger has been used for thousands of years to support digestion, circulation, and immune health. Modern researchers have looked at its active compounds for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Ginger can help calm nausea and move food from the stomach into the intestines for better digestion.
It’s warming and I love the bit of a spicy kick it adds.
Parsley
When you think of parsley, garnishes on restaurant plates and hospital food may come to mind. In reality though, parsley is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s rich in vitamins C and K and chlorophyll to support immune function, detox, and blood health.
Parsley also has apigenin, a flavonoid known for its antioxidant and cell-protecting properties. Traditionally, parsley has been used to support kidney and urinary health.
Coconut Water
Optional, but I like adding this sometimes for more electrolytes. Coconut water naturally contains potassium, magnesium, and sodium to support electrolyte balance and hydration. These minerals are vital for regulating nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and fluid movement into cells.
When used in moderation, coconut water gives the green juice an extra hydration boost without overdoing it on the sugar. Be sure to look for coconut water without added sugar!
Oxalates, Greens, and Context
Oxalates are naturally occurring and found in many plant foods. They often get labeled as bad, but it’s not so simple. We only absorb about 2–5% of oxalates in our food. When we eat high-oxalate foods on an empty stomach or in large amounts (especially in liquid form) absorption can increase to around 10–12%.
Too many oxalates can irritate the kidneys and contribute to kidney stones for some people. It’s also important to note that only about 20% of our oxalates come from food. The rest are produced in our bodies naturally through metabolism and other factors.
This is one reason I prefer kale over spinach in green juice. Kale is low in oxalates and also contains calcium. Oxalates carry a negative charge and readily bind to positively charged minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. When we eat oxalate-rich foods alongside calcium, it reduces the absorption.
Who Should Drink Green Juice?
Green juice can be especially helpful for people who:
Struggle to eat enough vegetables
Have low appetite or difficulty digesting large meals
Need extra hydration and electrolytes
Want a light, nutrient-dense snack between meals
Want a nutrition boost
Green juice that’s heavy on fruit isn’t ideal for anyone with unstable blood sugar or as a meal replacement. Like most wellness tools, it’s about using it intentionally.
Green Juice Recipe
This delicious green juice has a pleasant earthy taste with a sour twist from the lemon.
Add all of the ingredients except lemon and coconut water to the juicer.
Once the juice is pressed, squeeze in the lemon juice and add the coconut water if desired.
Keep in the fridge for up to 72 hours.
Nutrition Facts
Green Juice Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 113 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g
Sodium 127mg6%
Potassium 849mg24%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 5083IU102%
Vitamin C 78mg95%
Calcium 178mg18%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Opt for organic produce as much as possible.
Add more or less of certain ingredients to suit your tastes.
With my juicer, I found it worked best to add the leafy greens first before adding the other veggies.
How To Make Green Juice Without a Blender
If you don’t have a juicer, you can still make green juice. Add all of the ingredients to your blender and add just enough water or coconut water to get the mixture to blend. After you’ve blended it to a smooth consistency, use a fine mesh strainer to remove the fiber.
How Long Does Fresh Green Juice Last?
I’m a big fan of bulk meal prepping whenever I can for faster meals. Juicing doesn’t always work well with that strategy though. Low-acid green juices (like this recipe) will last for 24-72 hours in the fridge before they start to go bad. I like to drink it fresh as soon as I make it, but you can make a few days’ worth at a time if you prefer.
Final Thoughts on Green Juice
While green juice does help our bodies detox and function better, you don’t need to go on a full green juice cleanse. It is however a great way to pack in some extra nutrition from fruits and veggies. When used thoughtfully, it can support hydration, boost nutrition, and overall vitality without sabotaging blood sugar.
Using green juice alongside real food and prioritizing protein and healthy fats helps support the body rather than overwhelm it. Play with the ingredients and the amounts to suit your tastes!
Are you a fan of green juice? What are some of your favorite ways to use it? Leave a comment and let us know!
So… Christmas is over. The lights are packed away, the ornaments are back in their boxes, and now you’re standing there looking at your tree thinking, “Okay, what now?”
Good news — your Christmas tree’s job isn’t finished yet.
Real Christmas trees are 100% biodegradable and surprisingly useful long after the holidays end. Instead of tossing it to the curb, you can give it a second life that’s good for your garden, wildlife, and even your community. Let’s break down all the clever ways to make the most of it.
Composting and Mulching
One of the easiest and most eco-friendly options is turning your Christmas tree into compost or mulch.
Pine needles break down slowly, helping improve soil structure and prevent compaction. They’re especially helpful in gardens with heavier or alkaline soil. If you have a wood chipper, run the tree through it and add the chips to your compost pile or spread them around garden beds.
No chipper? No problem. Cut the tree into smaller sections and let them break down naturally. Many cities also offer Christmas tree recycling programs where trees are shredded into free mulch for community use — definitely worth checking out.
Your tree can keep working even in the coldest months.
Lay branches over garden beds to insulate plants from harsh temperatures and sudden freeze–thaw cycles. This natural cover helps protect roots and keeps soil from eroding during winter storms.
The trunk can also be repurposed as a sturdy support for climbing plants like beans, peas, or cucumbers in the spring. Bundle several trunks together to create a simple garden trellis or teepee structure that looks rustic and functional.
Creating a Wildlife Haven
Old Christmas trees make excellent shelters for local wildlife.
Set one up in your yard and decorate it with bird feeders, pinecones, or suet cages. Birds will quickly turn it into a safe haven for resting and nesting. The dense branches offer protection from wind and predators, making it especially valuable during colder months.
If you live near a lake or pond, some wildlife agencies accept trees for fish habitat projects. Submerged trees provide shelter for fish and help improve underwater ecosystems. Just be sure to check local guidelines before placing a tree in water.
What Happens to the Rockefeller Christmas Tree?
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has a second life that’s just as meaningful as its time in the spotlight.
After the holidays, the massive Norway spruce is carefully removed and transported to a milling facility. There, it’s cut, dried, and transformed into lumber. That wood is donated to Habitat for Humanity, where it’s used to build homes for families in need.
This tradition has been going strong for years and even inspired a children’s book, The Carpenter’s Gift, celebrating the tree’s journey from holiday icon to symbol of hope and community.
Firewood and Ash Benefits
If you have an outdoor fire pit, your Christmas tree can double as fuel.
Evergreens burn quickly and hot, making them great for outdoor fires (but not indoor fireplaces due to sap buildup). After burning, the ash can be sprinkled into garden beds to add potassium and trace minerals to the soil.
Just be sure you’re using clean, untreated wood — and skip coal ash, which isn’t garden-safe.
Feeling crafty? Your tree has plenty of creative potential.
Dry the needles and use them in sachets for natural air fresheners. Slice the trunk into wooden rounds to make rustic coasters, ornaments, or decorative accents. Once dried and sealed, they add a charming, handmade touch to any space.
These small projects are a great way to hold onto the holiday spirit a little longer — without clutter.
Replanting a Living Tree
If you chose a live, root-balled tree this year, you’re in luck.
With proper planning, you can replant it outdoors and enjoy it for decades. Dig the hole before the ground freezes, and gradually reintroduce the tree to outdoor temperatures after the holidays to prevent shock.
Once planted, your Christmas tree becomes a permanent part of your landscape — a living reminder of holidays past and a gift to the environment for years to come.
When the holidays come to an end, your Christmas tree doesn’t have to become waste—it can simply begin its next chapter.
Whether you compost it, turn it into garden mulch, support local wildlife, reuse it for DIY projects, or even replant it for years of growth ahead, there are plenty of meaningful ways to extend its purpose.
Choosing a sustainable option not only reduces waste but also turns a seasonal tradition into something that continues giving back to your home, garden, and community. With a little creativity, your Christmas tree can live on long after the ornaments come down.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
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Prairie Star Farm in Allamakee County, Iowa is home to 180 dairy cows. Owners Meghan and John Palmer say growing health care costs add to the financial pressures facing many farm families, including theirs.
The enhanced subsidies that many Americans, including farmers, rely on to purchase health insurance are set to expire at the end of this month.
James Davis, 55, who grows cotton, soybeans and corn in north Louisiana, said he doesn’t know how he and his wife will afford coverage next year, when their insurance premium will quadruple, jumping to about $2,700 a month.
“You can’t afford it. Bottom line, there’s nothing to discuss. You can’t afford it without the subsidies,” Davis said.
More than a quarter of the agricultural workforce purchases health insurance through the individual marketplace, according to an analysis from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research organization.
Farmers are used to facing challenges like unpredictable weather and fluctuating commodity prices. But the loss of the enhanced subsidies, coupled with the challenging economic conditions, will make coverage unaffordable for many.
Without major intervention from Washington, farmers say they’ll have to choose between being uninsured or leaving the farm work behind for a job that offers health insurance.
Forgoing insurance is a bad gamble for farmers
Farming is dangerous work. Agricultural workers spend much of their time outside and exposed to the elements. Many of their duties can lead to injury or illness: they drive and operate heavy machinery, work with toxic chemicals, and handle large animals.
Work-related deaths are seven times higher for farmers than the national average.
Close-up of a cotton boll on a farm in Richland Parish in northern Louisiana.
Drew Hawkins
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Drew Hawkins
The financial toll of non-fatal farm injuries is also significant. A study from the University of Nebraska Medical Center found that the average cost of a farming injury was $10,878 in medical care and $4,735 in lost work.
It’s essential that farmers can purchase comprehensive insurance, said Florence Becot, a rural sociologist and associate professor in agricultural health and safety at the Pennsylvania State University where she studies the social and economic needs of farm households.
In a 2022 study, Becot found that more than 20% of U.S. farmers had medical debt exceeding $1,000, and more than half were not confident they could cover the costs of a major illness or injury.
“That shows you the level of vulnerability and concerns that farmers are facing,” she said.
Mental health is also a concern. Farmers are roughly twice as likely to die by suicide compared to the general population. Mental health hotlines that serve rural communities are seeing an uptick in calls this year.
“We’re really afraid of what’s going to happen,” Klein said.
Farmers can be reluctant to admit that they rely on government-subsidized insurance, said Meghan Palmer, 42, who runs a dairy farm in northeast Iowa with her husband, John, 45.
Prairie Star Farm has been in Meghan Palmer’s family for three generations. She hopes that one day one of her kids will want to take over operations, but it’s getting harder for a farm to be profitable.
Meghan Palmer
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Meghan Palmer
But going uninsured is not an option for the Palmers.
During their first year of marriage, the couple recalled being uninsured and having to pay out-of-pocket for two unexpected health crises: Palmer had an appendectomy, and her husband John needed stitches after getting kicked in the face by one of his cows.
“It was stupid of us,” said Palmer of the decision to forgo coverage.
But next year, the combined out-of-pocket monthly cost of their plans will increase by more than 90%, to $368.18. For both, their 2026 deductible is $7,200.
Palmer has started to search for an off-farm job, though she anticipates that whatever she earns will mostly pay for additional insurance costs and there will be little left over. In addition, her absence would create a greater burden for her husband, which worries her.
“John is working exhausted most of the time,” she said. “That’s when mistakes get made and you end up in the ER.”
Political consequences
Even after the enhanced subsidies go away in 2026, the Palmers estimate their income will still be low enough that they’ll qualify for some tax credits to purchase coverage.
However, another change in health care is that repayment limits are being eliminated, so if the Palmers have a surprisingly profitable 2026, they’ll be forced to pay some, if not all, of that subsidy back at tax time.
A farmer’s income can vary drastically year-to-year, said Becot, partly because commodity prices can fluctuate rapidly.
Some farmers might deliberately choose to not grow their businesses, because too much profit might cause them to lose access to health care subsidies.
A tractor in Richland Parish, Louisiana.
Drew Hawkins
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Drew Hawkins
Farmers who are insured through Medicaid have similar concerns, Becot said. Prioritizing health care affordability by suppressing operational growth will have long-term consequences for a farm’s success.
Palmer, in Iowa, and Davis, in Louisiana, are both upset that lawmakers aren’t more sensitive to the economic demands of farming and how those have coincided with rising health costs.
Trump did recently pledge $12 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop farmers, but that’s not going to stop health care costs from ballooning.
Republicans are aware that health care is a problem and have put forth proposals, said Donna Hoffman, a political scientist at the University of Northern Iowa, via email. But most don’t support extending the enhanced ACA subsidies because they don’t see subsidies as a good solution to the problem of rising health care costs.
This story comes from NPR’s health reporting partnership with KFF Health News.
Each time you water during the spring and summer, use a balanced liquid plant food diluted to a quarter strength.
A 10-10-10 N-P-K ratio is suitable. Reduce feeding to every other watering in the fall and discontinue feeding altogether during the winter when growth slows down.
A specimen in a two-inch growers pot is available from The Plant Farm Store via Amazon.
Maintenance
Slow-growing string of nickels is an easy-care houseplant with few maintenance requirements. It prefers a snug-fitting pot with a diameter about an inch wider than the plant’s width.
Every two to three years, in the spring, change the substrate, regardless of whether you need to increase the container size or not.
Substrates break down over time, compacting and retaining water, which deprives the roots of oxygen as mentioned above.
Additional care includes removing damaged or dead stems to restore vigor and visual appeal.
Cut the affected stems just below a leaf, rather than mid-stem, for rapid and attractive regrowth.
Propagation
Because the tiny seeds are not dependable growers, the best ways to start a new plant are by taking a stem cutting from an existing one or buying a nursery start. Let’s discuss.
From Stem Cuttings
Take stem cuttings in the spring. Wear protective gloves to avoid contact with the irritating sap.
Sanitize your garden scissors with a 10 percent bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) and rinse them well.
Select a healthy stem with plump leaves and visible aerial roots protruding near the leaf pairs.
Cut a three- to four-inch length of stem with at least two leaf pairs.
Place a small clump of sphagnum moss on a saucer and lightly moisten.
Snip off the lower pair of leaves, closest to the cut end of the stem.
Dip the cut end of the stem end into rooting hormone powder.
Gently insert the powdered stem end into the moss to anchor it, burying the nodes where the leaves were cut. These natural growing points will produce roots.
Place the saucer in bright, indirect sunlight.
Create a self-watering humidity dome by inflating a quart or sandwich-sized plastic bag over the saucer and tucking it loosely underneath.
Do not make it airtight, as excess moisture may develop and cause the cutting to rot.
New roots should be established in about two months.
Once it has established roots, remove the cutting from the moss and transplant it to a two-inch pot filled three-quarters full of orchid potting medium.
Use a chopstick or pencil to tease the moss away from the roots.
