The leaves are turning, the air is cool and the fall season is in full swing here in Iowa. The significance of this time of year can often be missed, but for farmers, this is one of the most important times of the year. The role that farmers play is vital to provide us all with food, fuel, fiber and more. Things we never even think about in our daily lives are impacted by the crops our state produces. You’ve probably experienced the “highway view” of corn and harvest as you travel our great state. But take a closer look, and you’ll discover the many connections you have to corn. Whether filling up your gas tank, grocery cart or a glass with water from the tap, the impact farmers have is all around you. When it comes to corn, there’s plenty to go around for fuel AND food. Corn ethanol is a renewable fuel that’s better for our environment, health and wallets and happens to be grown right in our backyards. Did you know that Iowa is the #1 producer of corn, ethanol and DDGS? DDGS or dried distillers grains is a co-product of ethanol production that is used as an animal feed ingredient that’s rich in protein, fat, minerals and vitamins. Basically, we can thank corn for the meat, dairy and eggs we all enjoy, not to mention the over 4,000 other everyday products that include corn. Across our state farmers are doing their part to protect and preserve the land for their families and future generations to come. From adopting sustainable farm practices that protect our soil like cover crops and no-till, to reducing fertilizer use with on-farm technology, Iowa farmers care about the land and water that we share. When you fill your glass with clean, healthy tap water you are trusting farmers take proper measures to protect Iowa’s water supply and also drink the same water on their farms. What else can you do to support local farmers? Choose ethanol at the pump for a healthier environment and a healthier you. Ethanol helps reduce cancer causing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% while also decreasing the amount of particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other toxins in our air – something your lungs and overall respiratory health will thank you for. Corn is all around us, especially this fall. To farmers fall means it is the time to harvest the crops they have tended to for nearly a year be harvested to produce nearly 4,000 products for you and the rest of the world.
Share with us on social media using #Iowanswin.
Learn More
Did you know that more than 97% of Iowa’s farms are family-owned? This means that not only are farmers focused on growing crops we all benefit from, but they’re also deeply vested in providing for their family. Check out some of the photos of our farm families below that work together to harvest a crop this fall season!
It’s fall and nothing screams fall quiet like a lineup of some delicious corn-inspired comfort food!
Bourbon Marinated Steaks Enjoy this tender, marinated steak featuring corn whiskey from Mississippi River Distilling Company. Cody Road Bourbon is produced using 70% corn sourced locally from Le Claire, Iowa. Find the full recipe from Mississippi River Distilling Company here.
Easy Corn Casserole Try this delicious, easy and corny side dish for your next get together. Containing whole kernel corn, creamed sweet corn and corn bread mix, this recipe can’t get any more corntastic! Check out the full recipe here.
Homemade Pecan Pie No holiday meal is complete without a pecan pie! This recipe using real corn syrup will have your guests asking for seconds! Find the recipe here.
Hungry for more? Visit our website to see even more orn-inspired recipes! c
Faces of Farming Feature - Lilian Swanson Lilian Swanson was born and raised in Galt, Iowa, a rural town in north central Iowa, where the farming genes run deep; just take a look at the Swanson family if you don’t believe us! For Lilian, farming has been and always will be one her biggest passions in life. Following in her father’s footsteps, who followed in his father’s footsteps, Lilian has continued the family tradition of working in the agricultural industry. As a child, Lilian enjoyed helping her dad, Stu, with farm chores. Where many kids might’ve seen tiring work, Lilian saw an opportunity to bond with her father. Whether it was working with pigs, working in the fields or feeding the livestock, the fun was found in completing these daily tasks together as a family with her parents and three sisters. Each member of the family seemed to find their own niche when it came to farm chores, Lilian’s being the livestock. Lilian credits her parents for always holding her and her sisters to high expectations and for teaching the four of them the value of hard work from such a young age.
Upon graduating from high school, Lilian made the decision to attend Iowa State University, following in the footsteps of her father and two older sisters as an Agricultural Business major, but she didn’t stop there. During her time at Iowa State, Lilian added a second degree in International Agriculture among her extracurricular involvement in the Iowa State Agricultural Business Club, the ISU Corn Club, and as a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Collegiate Advisory Team. Not only did being part of these groups give Lilian more insight and knowledge on numerous realms of agriculture, but it also was a large part of forming her leadership skills as a woman in agriculture. It was because of these experiences that Lilian was able to gain the confidence to share her story, let others hear her voice and become an advocate for the agriculture industry. Lilian remains invested in educating people about where their food comes from and empowering people to become more informed about what farmers do daily. General misconceptions about farmers and farming frustrate Lilian and farmers alike, but she’s quick to point out that farmers have the consumer’s best interest in mind and that they wouldn't put a chemical on their crop, or feed something to their livestock, that they wouldn’t feed to their own family. “Farming isn’t a 9-5 job. Farming is 24/7, 365 days a year. Farmers are out there caring for their livestock and their land, just to feed their families and the general public,” Lilian said. For Lilian, the future of farming is extremely bright. She’s excited to continue learning and growing in every possible way to be the best, most informed farmer possible.
Enter the Fall Warm Welcomes from the Farm Giveaway, featuring two chances to win a Grizzly tumbler, $25 Kwik Star gas card and a Support Local Farmers t-shirt! Follow Iowa Corn on Facebook and Instagram and fill out the form on our website to be entered to win. Thank you for subscribing to the Warm Welcomes from the Farm eNewsletter!
Enter to Win on our Website! *Giveaway is now closed