Rural Iowa's 'Storyteller'

Darcy Maulsby honored as Iowa Soybean Association’s Advocate for Iowa Agriculture

BY JEFF HUTTON

Her words and her passion bridge those in agriculture with those who benefit from agriculture. You might even say she’s a voice for what’s good about rural Iowa.

So, it makes sense that Darcy Maulsby was chosen as the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Advocate for Iowa Agriculture for 2024, presented earlier this year and sponsored by Bayer.

This annual award recognizes an individual, organization or company who effectively and accurately tells the story of modern agriculture and actively builds bridges between Iowa farmers and consumers.

Whether it’s through her work as an author and writer, photographer, a public speaker or as an advocate from her Calhoun County farm, Maulsby is well-known as “Iowa’s Storyteller.”

According to Lydia Zerby, who nominated Maulsby for the award, this fifth-generation farmer “works tirelessly” to promote and communicate about Iowa agriculture.

“Darcy is a writer/author and has published many books including the history of various Iowa communities and a tour of the culinary history of Iowa,” says Zerby, ISA’s consumers insights and engagement manager. “Darcy is a fantastic photographer and captures the beauty of Iowa and its agriculture history through the lens of her camera. She is also a public speaker and is able to craft a message to her audience that resonates and inspires. Darcy is real, authentic and people-centered in her approach. Her messages are clear, concise and compelling.”

Receiving the ISA award was an honor, says Maulsby, who lives and farms near Lake City.

“It’s very humbling,” she says. “I’m just passionate about telling these stories of Iowa agriculture and helping people make that farm-to-fork connection and show what’s going on right here in rural America.”

Maulsby shares some of her talents through the quarterly Fresh Pickings magazine, a publication produced by the Iowa Food & Family Project. Zerby, the magazine's editor, says Maulsby helps to bring “light and energy” to Fresh Pickings, submitting features that “are always a highlight of the publication because of her fantastic approach to human interest, agriculture and historical topics.”

But Maulsby is reluctant to take any credit; she gives praise to those whose stories she tells.

“I couldn’t tell these stories without farmers helping me share their stories,” she says.

Putting forth those stories on a page or through a public speaking engagement is instrumental in making sure those who do not live on farms understand the importance of the work that is being done out in the field or in the livestock barn.

“One of the things I always tell my audiences is that ‘If you eat three times a day, you have a connection with Iowa agriculture,’” she says.

Through her books, including “The Culinary History of Iowa: Sweet Corn, Pork Tenderloins, Maid-Rites and More” and “Iowa Agriculture: A History of Farming, Family and Food,” Maulsby seamlessly weaves together agriculture and food.

“Hopefully the message resonates with readers,” she says. “With one of my books, “The Culinary History of Iowa,” it’s about our food heritage but it allowed me to talk about agriculture. It’s like slipping in vegetables in your diet.”

Maulsby’s advocacy of agriculture goes beyond food.

Through an Iowa State University Extension Master Conservationist program, she has become a true advocate for water and soil quality.

“Farmers already know this, but it’s important we tell the story of how the land is being managed,” she says. “It gives me a wonderful chance to talk about conservation programs and how to protect our soil.

“There are so many opportunities we can have to tell these stories if we’re just bold enough to tell them.”

Maulsby’s personal directive over the years is to learn as much as she can so she can relay that information to any Iowan willing to listen.

“I try and take that farm-level knowledge and present it in a way to non-farm people,” she says.

During a recent interview with Iowa Public Radio, Maulsby was asked about the farm bill and conservation issues. Her response, she says, struck a chord with listeners that day.

“Conservation to me means we farm in harmony with nature and to me it’s the most exciting frontier in agriculture,” she says. “And it’s right under our feet — soil health. If we can improve soil health, that in turn helps us to raise healthier crops, which feeds healthier livestock and that means healthier food for people.”

Maulsby says it’s important to her as an advocate that she continues to build her knowledge base, whether it’s about conservation, regenerative agriculture, Iowa food or just life on the farm.

“I want to be able to communicate those messages to both a farm audience as well as our non-farm friends,” she says.

Because of her communications background and her commitment to telling stories that matter, Maulsby says she’s appreciative to be the go-between those who farm and those who benefit from Iowa’s bounty.

“It is a privilege to share these stories,” she says. “I believe I have a unique role to fill because of my background and involvement in the family farm. I understand these concepts at a farm level, but I also understand where the consumer is coming from. I hope I can be a translator between these two audiences.”

Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com