MPR People

Mark Steil

Reporter
Minnesota Public Radio
msteil@mpr.org

Mark Steil has worked for Minnesota Public Radio since 1978. Based at Minnesota Public Radio's Worthington office, Steil has covered major changes in the economy and society of rural Minnesota. Agriculture has been a major focus of his reporting; he's covered everything from the farm crisis of the 1980s to the corporate makeover of agriculture in the 1990s. Steil has also reported on population changes in southwest Minnesota, including the aging of rural Minnesota and the growth of minority populations there over the last decade. He is a big fan of history. Among his stories: the famous Armistice Day storm of 1940 and the story behind the Floyd of Rosedale trophy.

Mark Steil Feature Archive

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Austin crash raises new questions about bus safety

The fatal crash of a bus in southern Minnesota this week has put a spotlight on the safety of the tour bus industry. (11/20/2009)

Farmers say wet fall didn't hurt size of harvest

It looks like rainy conditions for most of the fall haven't hurt the size of the Minnesota corn and soybean harvest, but even though crops are faring well, farmers are still struggling with the effects of too much rain. (11/10/2009)

H1N1 vaccine for hogs aims to prevent mutated virus

The race to vaccinate humans against H1N1 is the principal focus of health leaders, but a second vaccination effort is about to begin. (11/09/2009)

Impact of Big Stone II's demise uncertain

The end of the Big Stone II power plant has electricity companies and environmental groups looking to the future. (11/03/2009)

Minnesota potter makes art at 2,400 degrees

Making art can be a delicate, quiet process; but when Minnesota potter Pete Landherr spends four straight days firing his pottery, the rolling ball of flame from his kiln can be seen for miles on the prairies of southwest Minnesota. (10/21/2009)

USDA confirms H1N1 in Minnesota pig

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says at least one pig from Minnesota has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the first case of a pig contracting the virus in the United States. (10/19/2009)

New Ulm 'bullying' its way to wind energy, landowners say

The city of New Ulm wants to put up five wind turbines as a power source, but proposal has angered a group of landowners who say eminent domain is being used to secure rights for a wind energy project. (10/14/2009)

Corn crop harvest increased by warm weather

Warm September weather helped increase the size of the Minnesota corn crop and the U.S. Agriculture Department says state farmers should harvest more than 1.2 billion bushels. (10/09/2009)

Obama to sign bill to help U.S. dairy farmers

President Obama is expected to sign an agriculture appropriations bill which includes help for hard pressed dairy farmers. (10/08/2009)

Minnesota soldier dies from noncombat injuries in Iraq

U.S. military authorities are investigating the death of a Minnesota soldier injured in a noncombat related incident in Iraq. (10/07/2009)

Pipestone: A spiritual place

In the southwest corner of Minnesota, thousands of visitors each year take in the Pipestone National Monument's untouched prairie and its famous red rock. For centuries, Native Americans have placed great religious significance on the pipestone found here. (09/29/2009)