Tag Archives: farming

Vilsack: Infrastructure Bill An “Opportunity For Wealth That Stays In Rural Communities”

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Trish Nelson

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement following passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by the U.S. Congress. The bill will now go to President Biden for his signature. “This is a transformative, historic investment for America … Continue reading →

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Cattle Markets – What Side Are You On?

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Paul Deaton

It seems crazy that cattle producer margins are constantly being squeezed by meat packers as the herd goes to market during the pandemic. “Between April and May, producers saw their cattle prices plummet,” wrote Jessica Fu in The Counter. “Meanwhile … Continue reading →

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The Sonnyside

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Dave Bradley

As with much else in the current administration the Department of Agriculture seems to be spending more time on window dressing and presentation than on actually doing work that would help their constituents. Considering that Iowa’s main industry is agriculture … Continue reading →

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A Difficult And Strange Season Of Weather

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Paul Deaton

By Carmen Black (Editor’s Note: Iowa Farmers deal with an existential reality that is the weather. Regardless of increasingly polarized discussions about climate change, weather affects real people in tangible ways. Carmen recently wrote this piece to members of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Local Food | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Tim Gannon For Agriculture – An Easy Decision

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Paul Deaton

Supporting Tim Gannon for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture is an easy decision. Iowa Democrats want and need a secretary of agriculture that understands the current farm economy and is willing and capable of moving the state toward sustainability in agriculture. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2018 Election Campaign, Farming, Food Insecurity, politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Why Don’t Iowa Farmers Export More to Europe?

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Paul Deaton

During a brief appearance at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta on Thursday, President Trump claimed a trade breakthrough with European allies. “We just opened up Europe for you,” he said. Not so fast! On Saturday, European Union Commission President … Continue reading →

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There Is A Family Dairy Farm Crisis

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Paul Deaton

Things are bad when the coop sends the suicide hotline number with the milk payment. Milk prices are currently about $15 per hundred weight while cost of production at family farms is more than $22 per hundred weight. Like so … Continue reading →

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Grit Alone Won’t Protect Local Food Systems

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Paul Deaton

The marketplace of home vegetable gardens, community supported agriculture, farmers markets, road side vegetable stands, restaurants, retail interests and direct farm sales hasn’t coalesced into a sustainable local food system, and may not. One should never doubt the resilience of … Continue reading →

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Organic Food’s Sticky Wicket

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Paul Deaton

When people think of local food, most have seasonal sweet corn and tomatoes in mind. That hasn’t changed much in years. The quest for good-tasting food that does no harm has also been around for a long time. Organic food … Continue reading →

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An Iowa Onion Trimmer

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Paul Deaton

Between picture perfect onions and the compost heap lies an opportunity. A friend grows onions using organic practices as part of a Community Supported Agriculture project. Onions are harvested from the field then dried in the greenhouse for storage. Sorting, … Continue reading →

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