Editor's Note: Unprecedented Change

Annually, Merriam-Webster publishes a word of the year. I’m willing to bet that “unprecedented” will top the list in 2020.

The term is an adjective meaning “never done or known before.” And you’re sure to see it in nearly every headline related to COVID-19. The pandemic has brought about uncharted territory as we all try to navigate its economic, social and emotional impacts.

No one is insulated from the changes of this decade, but not all are related to the headlines. My husband Adam and I are expecting our first child in late August, and we’re absolutely thrilled! With each daycare visit or piece of advice from other parents, we find ourselves in a time of change and a big step outside of our element.

Change is challenging, scary and an exciting part of life.

At the Iowa Soybean Association’s office in Ankeny, there’s a timeline on the wall in the main conference room. It shows how Iowa’s farmers have embraced change to shape agriculture for the better with milestones between 1964 and 2014.

For example, in 1964, one U.S. farmer produced enough to feed 46 people. Because of improvements in seed genetics and equipment technology, one farmer now produces enough to feed 155 people.

And in 1960, Americans spent an average of 16.8% of their personal incomes on food. Today, we spend about 9.7%, thanks to improved efficiencies in our food system. And thank goodness, especially during today’s pandemic.

I’m sure if you zoomed in on a single tick on the timeline, the future would seem fuzzy and unpredictable. But seeing the entire time span is comforting to me.

Improvements in agriculture or today’s food system would not be possible without visionary Iowans who embrace change with confidence and faith. And today, the stories of many of those farmers, homemakers, chefs, entrepreneurs and community leaders are shared in each issue of Fresh Pickings magazine.

As I work to navigate uncertain times on a global scale and in my personal life, I find comfort and confidence in examples from those on the conference room wall. They’re a reminder to embrace unprecedented change and do our best to shape the future for good.

Enjoy the issue,

Editor | Fresh Pickings Magazine

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