Farmers and entrepreneurs interested in learning more about running or improving a food business can participate in a monthly webinar that addresses a variety of topics important to local food operations.
- By Laura Handke, For Missouri Farmer Today
In January, the Mark and Rebecca Smajstrla family loaded their livestock, their four daughters and their sense of adventure to make the trek north from Texas in an ice storm the state calls “historic.” Their new home in Weston, Missouri, was calling.
- Crystal Reed
Staci and Jeremy Hill say their work bridges traditional agriculture and cooking skills and modern life, helping families reconnect with how food is grown, preserved and shared.
- ZoeMartin
Many are now marking the season of Lent — the 40 days leading up to Easter on April 5. For some religious denominations, this might mean abstaining from meat on Fridays, a church tradition that launched a thousand fish fries.
- Tim Kenyon
Some go big, others go small when it comes to gardening, but the steps to success are the same.
- Kristin Danley-Greiner
A dairy farm nestled in northeastern Iowa happens to be home to state and world championship-winning yogurts, frozen yogurts, Greek yogurts and milk.
- Benjamin Herrold
Eighty years ago, Ralph Hammons bought a cracking machine for his store in Stockton, Missouri, and started buying black walnuts from people who collected the wild crop.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
GLENWOOD, Iowa — Love for spice has resulted in a profitable business for Dalton Gregory.
- Crystal Reed
The 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines announced Jan. 7 encourage Americans to prioritize protein at every meal and list eggs first among recommended protein foods.
- ZoeMartin
This month we’re featuring pork recipes to complement our producer features, the profiles of state leaders in the industry we write each January to coincide with the Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines Jan. 20-22.
- Kristin Danley-Greiner
A New Year often means a new, healthier lifestyle adopted by many people.
- By Laura Handke for Iowa Farmer Today
When Denison, Kan., farmer Sharron Holliday bought her first Jersey heifer in October 2024, she wasn’t looking to start a business. She was just trying to make her kids happy.
- ZoeMartin
From the best pastries to casseroles, savory slow-cooker feasts and snacks to share, we’ve been privileged to run recipes that highlight our readers’ family legacies and hard-earned skills in the kitchen.
- Kristin Danley-Greiner
After the last bit of taters and gravy has been sopped up by a roll, the final morsel of turkey gobbled up and the pies have been demolished on Thanksgiving, it’s time to package up any leftovers, load the dishwasher and take a nap.
- Benjamin Herrold
Life on the farm is a story of seasonal rhythms, and for many farm families, the chill of mid-November means the return to familiar deer stands and hunting blinds, continuing the annual tradition of deer hunting. It’s a tradition shared with grandparents, parents, sons and daughters, through…
- Tim Kenyon
A beer called Yield of Dreams received a “top” honor — taking up a tap again at this past summer’s Iowa State Fair Craft Beer Tent.
- Kristin Danley-Greiner
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Harvestville Farm in Donnellson, which is part of a fifth-generation family farm in southeast Iowa.
- Benjamin Herrold
Ashley Ryan sells pork, beef and chicken grown on her family farm in New Hartford, Missouri. When she sells meat to customers or talks with them at farmers markets, she discusses some options for preparing it.
- By Laura Handke, Iowa Farmer Today
CUMMINGS, Kan. — Nearly 10 years into their marriage, Debra Fuhrman’s husband, Marlin, made a confession.
- Crystal Reed
BETHANY, Ill. — Connie Wise’s cooking journey started when she got married 52 years ago.
- Jeff DeYoung
Harvest season is rapidly approaching, and it's not too early to start planning meals that fit into fall’s busy schedule.
- Tim Kenyon
EDDYVILLE, Iowa — Seasoning expands the taste of food, and one Iowa company sees Iowa corn as a vital part of that flavor.
- Kristin Danley-Greiner
A trip to Napa, California, filled with drinking, relaxing and dreaming eventually led to Bob and Kristy Walker opening Walker Homestead Farm and Winery outside of Iowa City.
- By Laura Handke, Iowa Farmer Today
Nothing brings a family together like a good meal around the supper table. That’s the case for the Riley family of Salem, Missouri.
- Crystal Reed
Janis Vollbracht, 86, of Bowen, Illinois, grew up on a farm, the oldest of five children. She helped her mother bake and cook meals for the family and helped her father with chores.