Vision

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Our mission is to serve the public as a watchdog over influential agriculture corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism. Started in 2009, the Center (dba Investigate Midwest) provides training and education for students, professional journalists and citizens to better understand big agribusiness and its impact locally, regionally and globally. Investigate Midwest pursues collaborations with college journalism programs, nonprofit news organizations, and media outlets. We are a member of: the Institute for Nonprofit News, LION Publishers, IRE, Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, North American Agricultural Journalists, and the Society of Professional Journalists. We are pleased to be a member of the Trust Project and to support efforts to increase transparency and trust in journalism by displaying specially designed Trust Indicators on our stories.

Goals

1. 1.Grow our individual donor and major funder bases to increase financial capacity and long-term sustainability for this important investigative journalism work.
2. 2.To develop a network of reporters based at state capitals throughout the Midwest region reporting on agriculture policy developed at the state level and its influence and impact on the food system as well as local, regional and federal regulations and enforcement.
3. 3.Expand access to our content through strategic partnerships with other reporting outlets that align with our mission as well as increase members signed up for our text service to deliver content.