Iowans have once again demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting our state’s rich natural resources with yet another record-setting year for our state’s conservation and water quality efforts. For the third consecutive year, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, in partnership with Iowa’s 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), farmers, landowners, and public and private partners, have set a record for the implementation of proven practices within Iowa. more

Theresa Greenfield, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development state director for Iowa, announced Tuesday that Kate Sand, the deputy director, will take over as acting director. more

For farmers, it is no secret that the health of their land tomorrow is dependent on what they do today, which is why farmers across the state are taking action to implement conservation programs and practices that will ensure their land and water are kept safe, healthy and prosperous for years to come. more

A science class for middle school students at Panorama Middle School commonly involves a trek out to the prairie behind the school, a sketch of native seeds under the microscope or a homework assignment to track the progress of a backyard bluebird from its birdhouse. more

STAR is a free tool to assist farm operators and landowners in evaluating their nutrient and soil management practices on individual fields. The ultimate objective is to meet the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS). more

Rep. Mike Sexton, chair of the Iowa House agriculture committee said his early priorities for the upcoming legislative session include a grain indemnity bill, an elimination of the wool checkoff program and preparations for foreign diseases that would impact livestock. more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized a third regulatory reform under the Packers and Stockyards Act, with the latest regulation giving greater stability and fairness to chicken farmers working for major meat companies, according to an announcement Tuesday. more

Corn farmers in Iowa, and across the country, will have “full and fair” access to markets in Mexico after a United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, panel found Mexico’s bans on genetically engineered corn were against USMCA commitments. more

Researchers from Iowa State University have partnered with Michigan State University to develop a robot that would detect nitrates and monitor tile health to help farmers keep their land productive. more

A public-private partnership between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Soybean Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will invest over $2.3 million to install nutrient-reducing practices in priority Iowa watersheds. more

Wilton’s Hy-Line North America hatchery made history Tuesday, Dec. 10, launching a European developed egg-sex determination technology for the first time in the United States. more

West Liberty is about to be on the cutting edge of a new agricultural industry. more

President Trump’s tariff threats may be viewed as theater intended to shake up an international agriculture economy already stressed by global conflict. But big change is coming to American agriculture, and ag-energy profits of the past are not guaranteed. more

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with governors from 16 other states, signed a joint letter Monday urging Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill and to provide “immediate financial assistance” to the agricultural sector. more

As Iowa and the U.S. begin to rely more heavily on renewable energy sources, the greenhouse gas emissions from industries like agriculture are starting to take on greater significance. more

Thanksgiving remains one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States, with over 90% of Americans observing the tradition each year. For many, it ranks as a favorite holiday, bringing together family and friends around a meal that often centers on one iconic dish: roast turkey. more

North Scott Senior Addyson Wehrman is 2025 Iowa Honey Queen. more

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state departments of ag should work to reopen the shuttered chicken processing plant in Charles City that got millions in federal aid just four years ago. more

After a near-record dry September and October, Iowa received some much-needed rain while many farmers finished off their corn and soybean harvests for the season. more

Lynn Ochiltree is the de-facto town historian for Wilton, Iowa. more