It is like a secret language, but when I am out in the wild – meaning, urban or suburban places – sometimes I come across those who grew up in rural Iowa. They might still live in rural areas, or they might not. This is always fascinating. As we start talking, we size each other up to ...
While prohibitive costs and low commodity prices are due in part to the consolidation of the input providers and grain processors, the agricultural system is not the only consolidated industry negatively affecting citizens. Unfortunately, soaring prices throughout the economy are a symptom of ...
These Trump tariffs are something. People say this is how we fix the economy. Others say everything’s price will go up. If they happen, it will be somewhere in between. When one wants to encourage domestic production, tariffs make sense. One also must have the right policies in place to ...
What I love about rural America is how it is a microcosm of society. Everything is done on a smaller scale, and it shows how society works. When these small towns dot the landscape, they are each unique and self-reliant communities. While they lack chain stores, restaurants, and other ...
Senate Study Bill 1051 has entered the state legislature. Proponents for this bill say it prevents litigators from bringing frivolous lawsuits which have racked up millions of dollars to cancer patient lawsuits. Opponents say the bill makes it harder to bring these lawsuits, thus helping shield ...
The United States was built on the back of small businesses, be it farmers or small merchants. When financial and political power is spread between many, this makes a healthier democracy. As Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis said, “We must make our choice. We may have democracy, or we ...
It is genuinely concerning when egg prices are this high. These prices are hitting levels never touched before, and this is for a critical food item a lot of people rely on. From restaurants to home cooking, eggs are used in many dishes. Their higher price means a higher cost for many people. ...
A couple weeks ago, the government made some last-minute attempts at fighting for the people and not large corporations. It is evident when large corporations regulate society it leads to disastrous effects. Look no further than the constant climb of egg prices. Putting more egg laying hens in ...
Monday, Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Besides being a day off for schools and federal and state employees, the most significant part of this day is to volunteer. Use this day as a chance to serve the community. Serving one’s community by volunteering is essential to creating a ...
Our lexicon has lost the word farmer. During my farming career, I felt like myself as a farmer, but elsewhere, I was looked at as a grower. I was only growing corn, soybeans, and a few cover crops, but it still felt weird. The continuation of the siloing off of livestock and grain enterprises ...