1. A Cruel and Unusual Loaf

Poor behavior on the cell block? Forget solitary; turn to prison food punishment instead. Civil rights activists claim “The Loaf” is cruel and unusual; a violation of the Constitution. (NPR)

2. Harsh Reality of Reindeer Farming

Sure they are in demand in December. But what about the rest of the year? (The Atlantic)

3. Soil Secrets

A 2010 government survey showed that 50 million acres of Chinese farmland is polluted. The report has been buried for three years as a “state secret.” (New York Times)

4. Food Freedom Survives Another Year

A look back at the year in food policy. (Reason)

5. Ag Slump and a Bursting Bubble

Will declining capital and asset bubbles mean a long winter for U.S. agriculture? (International Business Times)

Oil wall, felfies

6. Ethanol Hits Oil Wall

Oil is back — and nudging ethanol off the track in Brazil. (Washington Post)

7. Big Grain Bear

How long will grain bin doors stay shut? (Inside Futures)

8. Shaping the Plate

Bill Gates thinks three companies are shaping food’s future. If Gates thinks so, everybody takes a look. (Fast Company)

9. Felfies

Farm selfies go viral. (The Telegraph)

10. Talking Plants

Deciphering the secret language of plants is no longer the realm of the lunatic fringe. (Quanta Magazine)

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From the "10" archives

10 agriculture stories you should read today, Dec. 30

10 agriculture stories you should read today, Dec. 23

10 agriculture stories you should read today, Dec. 16

10 agriculture stories you should read today, Dec. 9