Nov. 2, 2023 www.investigatemidwest.org Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
Amid challenges, some Iowa farmers have turned away from cash crops
Millions of U.S. farm acres are dedicated to corn and soybeans. In Iowa, these two crops are farmers' mainstays.
But some growers have chosen a different path. They are growing produce or raising sheep and lambs; changing some practices for conservation; or selling to local shops and restaurants. Investigate Midwest talked to numerous farmers and local food experts in a year-long project. The reporting found there are benefits but also challenges practicing unconventional farming.
This story is just one example of the topics and issues our newsroom tackles throughout the year. We couldn't do it without your direct support, especially now during the end-of-year NewsMatch campaign, a powerful collaborative fundraising movement to support independent journalism.
By making a donation now through Dec. 31, your individual tax-deductible contribution will be matched up to $1,000. We've set an ambitious goal to raise $25,000 through the end of 2023, which will help us continue to deliver in-depth, insightful journalism on the U.S. food system into 2024 and beyond.
Thank you for reading and your ongoing support.
— Erin Orr, executive director
Beyond corn and soybeans, Iowa's farming future has plenty of options, experts say
By Pat Kinney, for Investigate Midwest
Popping up between those tall corn stalks of corn and velvety leaves of soybeans are other plants. Of the Midwest’s overall acres, 75% are covered by corn and soybeans. The other quarter produces crops from alfalfa and apples to watermelon and wheat.
Read more.
GRAPHIC: Which states have the most organic livestock and poultry farms?
By Ben Felder, Investigate Midwest
There are roughly 17,000 certified organic farms in the United States. Pennsylvania leads in numbers of operations, according to data from USDA.
Search the graphic.
8 DAYS until our Iowa City event; meet the storytellers
We hope to see you at our upcoming storytellers event, with the theme "Discovery in Disguise."
WHO: Investigate Midwest and its IowaWatch newsroom. The emcee is Iowa Public Radio's Charity Nebbe.
WHEN: Nov. 9. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6.
WHERE: Poindexter Coffee in the Graduate Iowa City hotel.
HOW: Tickets are available here.
HERE IS THE LINEUP OF STORYTELLERS: They include:
- Lea Collins is a writer, teacher and mom of four living in Iowa City.
- David Ewing is a former Hawkeye and now a fully realized drag queen.
- Miriam Alarcón Avila is a Mexican photographer, and a visual, multimedia, and storytelling artist, who lives in Iowa.
- Nick Westergaard is an author, educator, and speaker who leads the University of Iowa's Story Lab program.
Proceeds from ticket donations and the silent auction will be doubled through the end-of-year NewsMatch giving campaign.
Related news from our partners
Farmer has a few topics on his mind while Biden presses rural agenda By DTN/The Progressive Farmer
Dairy workers on Wisconsin’s small farms are dying. Many of those deaths are never investigated. By ProPublica
