The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk invites newsrooms throughout the region to join its award-winning collaborative by applying to host one of six new reporting positions through Report for America. Based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, the Ag & Water Desk works with newsrooms to cover agriculture and the environment across the nation’s largest watershed. This will be the fourth cohort of newsrooms to join the Desk.

Benefits of joining the Desk include: 

• A full-time reporter to cover agriculture, water, climate, energy and/or 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 story distribution network and collaborations with other outlets
• Increased visibility for your newsroom through Desk media appearances, awards and more 

The Ag & Water Desk will host an information session on Sept. 30 at noon Central Time. Newsrooms interested in learning more about the Desk and what makes a strong application can register for the virtual event here.

How does my newsroom apply? 

Applications open Sept. 14 and close Oct. 19 at the Report for America website. Your application should detail your proposed beat and explain why you want to be part of this project.

If my newsroom is selected, how does reporter hiring work? 

Newsrooms will be selected in early January. The reporter application period is Jan. 19-Feb. 15, after which newsrooms will be presented with several candidates and make their hiring decisions. Reporters will start working in July 2027.

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 to apply? 

The Mississippi River Basin includes 31 states, and newsrooms in all of them are welcome to apply. We’re particularly interested in expanding into new states (see this map of the basin and where we have partners now) and working with newsrooms of various media types.

What if I have other questions?  

Please contact Jason Blakeney at jblakeney@reportforamerica.org or Chas Sisk at chas@agwaterdesk.org.