DES MOINES, Iowa [WHO-TV] — Between 2017 and 2022, Iowa lost over half a million acres in farmland, according to the latest agriculture census from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The census outlines that in 2017, there were 30,563,878 acres of farmland in our state. That number dropped to 29,978,165 acres in 2022. In just five years, the state lost 587,713 acres of farmland in total. Sally Worley, the Executive Director of Practical Farmers of Iowa, a local organization with the goal of helping farmers practice agriculture that benefits the land and the people, say that’s a concerning statistic.

Worley said, “One of the biggest issues with farming is accessing land, especially because land prices aren’t in line with productive value. The market value far exceeds the productive value of the farm for a year-to-year income.” Although the census didn’t outline how the farmland was lost, Worley said that there is a general trend of suburban and urban farmland being sold to developers. She said that the main farmers that will be impacted by this are new farmers and those looking to upscale their businesses. This is because it’s already difficult to access farmland since it’s expensive and Worley says a lot of farmland isn’t on the public market. Therefore, fewer total acres of land available adds to the issue of accessing acres.

However, there were also some positive takeaways from the census. Christopher Pudenz, an economist with the Iowa Farm Bureau, said that compared to the nation, Iowa had more positive results. According to Pudenz, despite losing a large sum of land and having the average farm size decrease, Iowa gained farmers and farms. Furthermore, the average age of farmers in the state increased less than the national average. He said that his overall takeaway from the census was positive. Pudenz also notes that 2022 was a strong year for our state in terms of row crops and hog markets. However, he said the industry has seen some changes since then. He said that 2024 is projected to see a 25% decrease in farmer income compared to 2023, which already saw a substantial decrease from 2022.

“From where we sit right now, 2024 is likely to be a year of tightening the belt for many farm budgets. Still optimistic for the short, medium, and long term, but definitely some headwinds that exist in this year that we weren’t experiencing when the census was done in 2022,” Pudenz said. On the bright side, Worley said that while she expects there to be continued pressure between development and farmland, there are ways to turn to the tide. One of the ways she is seeing is a greater interest in farmers growing table food, which is the crops that consumers eat directly like fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Most of Iowa’s farmland is used for growing corn and soy, which are products that are mainly used for animal feed, processed foods, and ethanol.The growth of farming table food in Iowa can be a silver lining to the decrease in farmland because this type of farming generally requires a smaller acre base, according to Worley.

Worley and Pudenz both indicated that the best way people can support Iowa farmers is through shopping locally. Practical Farmers of Iowa lists ways people can support local farmers on their website.

March 1:

• Bill Lillard of Atlantic (winner)
• James Casson of Atlantic

March 2:

• Jace Hardisty of Massena (winner)
• Lyric Hanika of Nebraska City

March 3:

• Sally Will of Atlantic (winner)

March 4:

• Silvie Schmidt of Exira (winner)
• Bub Sorenson of Exira
• Jean Stamp of Atlantic
• Jennifer Nichols of Atlantic

March 5:

• Jeff Oakley of Audubon (winner)
• Clair Comer of Atlantic
• Sharon Witt of Atlantic

March 6:

• Bernice Muhr of Audubon (winner)
• Kathy Griffen of Atlantic
• Colleen Nichols of Moscow, Iowa

March 7:

• Janice Brown of Atlantic (winner)
• Tom Hill of Exira

March 8:

• Mary Ellen Yarger of Massena (winner)
• Judy Wheeler of Exira
• Dorothy Kerkhoff of Audubon

March 9:

• No Birthdays Submitted

March 10:

• Sheri Lajueness of Atlantic (winner)
• Chuck Fancher of Audubon
• Halli Kay Weitl of Exira
• Doug Kelly of Griswold

March 11:

• Lloyd Munson of Atlantic (winner)

March 12:

• Hillary Zellmer of Atlantic (winner)
• Becky Christensen of Atlantic

March 13:

• Julia McNees of Atlantic (winner)

March 14:

• Noah Craig Louis Hill of Exira (winner)
• Judy Wagner of Audubon

March 15:

• Julie Johnson of Exira (winner)
• Roger Petersen of Exira

March 16:

• Bernie Johnson of Exira (winner)
• Sue Andersen of Atlantic
• Mia Huess of Norwalk
• Cathy Meyers of Exira

March 17:

• Amy Jorgensen of Audubon (winner)
• Julie Earnhardt of Exira

March 18:

• Rose Pangburn of Atlantic (winner)
• Zoey Grace Thompson of Exira

March 19:

• Mr. Ike Harry of Atlantic (winner)
• Carol Mitchell of Atlantic
• Misty Winston of Walnut
• Jayden Fiebelkorn of Exira

March 20:

• Mike Conley of Atlantic (winner)
• Kael Cameron of Atlantic
• Delbert Christensen of Audubon

March 21:

• Dell Martin of Audubon (winner)
• Lynda Martins of Anita
• Mike Barnes of Atlantic
• Robert Essington of Atlantic
• Anna Evans of Atlantic

March 22:

• Katie Kelly of Griswold (winner)
• Judy Leed of Anita
• Grady Sager of Atlantic
• Susan Sievers of Audubon
• Heather Toft of Audubon
• Goldie Sue Asberry of Exira

March 23:

• Theo Sager of Atlantic (winner)
• Dave Campbell of Audubon

March 24

• Janice Madsen of Audubon (winner)
• Karen Guyer of Hancock

March 25:

• Dani Mathisen of Atlantic (winner)
• Max Bateman of Atlantic
• Teresa Murray of Audubon

March 26:

• Sue DuVall of Audubon (winner)
• Scott Sclater of Exira
• George Schultes of Exira
• Phyllis Jensen of Atlantic

March 27:

• Wendy Tuey of Exira (winner)
• Wanda Sampson of Exira

March 28:

• Don Patchin of Adair (winner)
• Alexia Noelck of Atlantic
• Emily Jobe of Lewis
• Karen Blum of Harlan

March 29:

• Jodi Woodard of Atlantic (winner)
• Nathan Paulsen of Exira
• Jake Meyers of Exira
• Keagen “Chachi” Garcia of Maryville, Mo

March 30:

• Sam Fiebelkorn of Exira (wnnier)
• Mary Lee Jensen of Exira
• Lori Hilsabeck of Elk Horn

March 31:

• Todd Madsen of Harlan (winner)
• Larry Paulson of Audubon
• K’Lani Waters of Ankeny

Jim Field visits with Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen about the painting and flooring renovation at the library.

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(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters predict Iowa will have another unseasonably warm weekend ahead, and one downside to the spring-like temperatures in the 60s and 70s is that creepy-crawly ticks will be on the move. Entomologist Tom Klubertanz says if you’ll be spending any time outdoors, especially hiking in the woods, wear insect repellent, and be sure to check yourself for ticks after you come back inside.

“It doesn’t even have to be that warm,” Klubertanz says. “Even in typical winters, if we get a warm spot into the 40s, it’s enough to get tick activity, but this is kind of extreme and the longer ticks are moving around, the more chance we’ve got of attracting them.” Ticks aren’t something Iowans would typically worry about in early March, but a warm winter means otherwise. Klubertanz says a longer tick season brings the threat of southern tick species migrating north.

Asian longhorn tick (ISU Extension photo)

“The two that come to my attention are the Lone Star tick and the Gulf Coast tick,” he says. “Both can transmit diseases, not Lyme disease, but other diseases.” There’s another tick to be watchful for, especially if you raise cattle or horses in Iowa. The Asian long-horned tick has been found in at least 19 states, including Missouri.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says there is a deal in the works to fund the federal government. Hinson talked about the deal during her weekly conference call with supporters. “An agreement in principle has been reached to fund the government and so I will keep you updated on that legislation we’re hopeful we’ll see it sometime this weekend,” Hinson says. The federal government’s fiscal year started October 1st, but Congress has not agreed on a budget for the year. The Farm Bill has been put off, but Hinson says it is not forgotten.

“I think it’s also important that we still prioritize the farm bill it’s why…. I think it was in December we sent a letter to Speaker Johnson urging him to still move forward and work on a farm bill our priority this week does need to be getting these bills done so we can complete the appropriations process and move on to the next one,” she says. Hinson also talked about the need to keep the pressure on the E-P-A to approve the year-round sale of E-15 gasoline.

“There are so many different elements of our economy that are dependent on this decision and delaying it is frankly unacceptable and irresponsible, so I will continue pushing for not only the waiver for this summer but going forward prompt responses from the E-P-A,” Hinson says. The E-P-A announced it would make E-15 available year-round for eight Midwest states starting in 2025. Hinson and the rest of the Iowa Congressional delegation sent a letter to the Biden administration calling for the ethanol-blended fuel to be allowed for this summer’s driving season.

Jim Field visits with Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee about the latest updated edition of the Cass County Resource Guide.  CLICK HERE for a copy of the guide!

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Jim Field visits with Cass County Extension Director Kate Olson about the tax help available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

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w/Kate Olson.

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(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has voted to establish fines for food processors that sell products in Iowa with labels suggesting food made with plant or insect based protein is a meat-based product. Senator Dawn Driscoll, of Washington, raises Angus cattle on her family farm near Williamsburg. “For far too long states like California have been legislating for us and today Iowa takes the stand and takes the offense for once in agriculture,” Driscoll said.

That’s a reference to rules on how big the living space for pigs, chickens and baby calves must be in order for products like veal, eggs and bacon to be sold in California. If the bill passed by the Iowa Senate becomes law, food processors could be fined as much as 10-thousand dollars for selling something labeled as meat in Iowa when it’s not.

“Lab grown products are emerging technology and the Fair Labels Act is an important first step for making sure that consumers understand the difference between lab grown or plant-based products and real beef, pork, turkey, lamb, goat and chickens raised by farmers and ranchers.” The bill would provide some latitude to marketers, however.

“A cell-cultivated, insect or plant protein product is permitted to use an identifiable meat term such as a drumstick or sausage if the label includes…terms such as…meatless, lab grown or plant based,” Driscoll said. The bill had included a ban on research at the state universities into the production or use of manufactured meat products, but that was removed. An addition to the bill calls for state officials to seek a waiver that would not allow food stamps or benefits for women with infants and young children to be used to buy manufactured meats.

“This is a preventative measure against an activist federal government that wants to see our children eat from a petri dish,” Driscoll said. Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, says most Iowans can buy Beyond Meat or Impossible Burgers at the grocery store, but low income Iowans couldn’t if the bill becomes law. “Why are we denying them a choice? But this is food — food!” Bisignano said. “It’s for people to choose and eat and it’s not our decision, because they get assistance, to tell them what to eat.”

Despite those objections to a section in the bill, Bisignano and every other senator present voted for the total package. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.