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  • 88° Sunny

Opinion

Workings of an idle mind on a long, hot summer day

Workings of an idle mind on a long, hot summer day

    It was so hot the other day I saw a funeral procession pull through a Dairy Queen. OK, that’s an exaggeration, but it was really hot.

    Six ways to get the most from a volunteer board

    Six ways to get the most from a volunteer board

      Editor’s note: This column was originally published February 17, 1997. We’re running it now in honor of all the hard work that has gone into county fairs this summer and as a guide as you plan for next year.

      Pointers offered to survive tougher times on the farm

        One keystone principle of our constitutional republic is the freedom to make our own choices. We’ve just celebrated 250 years of a Constitution and Bill of Rights where our founding fathers ensure us important rights within mutually agreed upon laws made by the representatives of the citizen…

        Wisdom found around the world

        Wisdom found around the world

          Some Americans wrongly think we’re better, smarter or even more sophisticated than citizens of other nations.

          Rural reality finds few is beautiful, too few is hard

          Rural reality finds few is beautiful, too few is hard

            Editor’s note: This column was originally published on March 3, 2003.

            God bless farmers and God bless America

            God bless farmers and God bless America

              In America, we can always count on exceptional summertime fairs across the Midwest. These fairs display the best that our industry has to offer — 4-H and FFA competitions, foods for all tastes, agricultural and home life exhibits, carnival rides and a wide range of entertainment.

              Agronomist sees ‘tremendous’ impact of AI on crop research

              Agronomist sees ‘tremendous’ impact of AI on crop research

              • By Benjamin Herrold, Missouri Farmer Today

              Arti Singh is an associate professor of agronomy at Iowa State University with more than 15 years of plant breeding experience. She leads a crop breeding program focused on bringing new food-grade crop opportunities for Midwest farmers. Singh also works to develop new artificial intelligence…

              Funerals are for paying respect, offering support

              Funerals are for paying respect, offering support

              • By Arvid Huisman

              As I have grown older, I have witnessed an increasing frequency of funerals. 

              Economic toll most acute in rural America

              Economic toll most acute in rural America

                DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. economy has continued to perform reasonably well despite a growing constellation of warning signs. However, surging energy costs and extreme volatility in oil markets resulting from the ongoing Middle East conflict could shift the trajectory of the U.S. economy for t…

                Non-verbal language a pathway to intimacy

                Non-verbal language a pathway to intimacy

                  Editor’s note: This was originally published May 30, 2005.

                  Time on the tractor, dinner in a dress

                  Time on the tractor, dinner in a dress

                  • By Darla Tyler-McSherry

                  Every time I travel back to Lonesome Prairie, I am so acutely aware of its appropriate name.

                  Enjoying a non-irritating and full retirement

                  Enjoying a non-irritating and full retirement

                  • By Arvid Huisman

                  Compared with a lot of men, I’m a rather boring guy. I have no major hobbies.

                  25 years of observations on technology

                  25 years of observations on technology

                    I marvel at the ability of artificial intelligence to express coherent summaries of content. The world's storehouse of knowledge is indeed at our fingertips. 

                    Flashback 1979: Facing another cliff

                    Flashback 1979: Facing another cliff

                    • By Jonathan Coppess, University of Illinois

                    ‘The more birthdays you have…’

                    ‘The more birthdays you have…’

                      Years ago a somewhat wise person told me the more birthdays you have, the longer you live. This came to mind recently when I celebrated another birthday.

                      When discussion becomes negotiation

                      When discussion becomes negotiation

                        Only one time in my 33-year career have I witnessed an heir negotiate their own inheritance before the death of a parent.

                        When discussion becomes negotiation

                        When discussion becomes negotiation

                          Only one time in my 33-year career have I witnessed an heir negotiate their own inheritance before the death of a parent.

                          Love of farming comes with pain

                          Love of farming comes with pain

                            Author’s note: Over the past 14 years since retirement, I consciously removed myself from the front lines on helping rural families with their life challenges — especially in the realm of economic crisis, which some farmers are now facing again.

                            To see a person with a disability as more

                            To see a person with a disability as more

                              As a society, we are too often preoccupied with the superficial. Good looks and athletic ability too often carry more weight than a pleasant personality, a caring heart and mental acuity.

                              When the quiet season doesn’t feel quiet

                              When the quiet season doesn’t feel quiet

                                As I continue to plod my way through winter, I’ve been mindful in trying to follow my own recommendations when it comes to managing mental health.

                                Leaders react to tariff decision

                                Leaders react to tariff decision

                                • By Tom Barton, Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau

                                Farmers and business leaders say the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs Feb. 20 underscores the need for stability in trade policy, while also amplifying concerns about the economic strain tariffs have placed on agriculture and manufacturing…

                                Winning the culture war at home

                                Winning the culture war at home

                                  I am 85 years old. I’ve been around the block for a while.

                                  Letter writing has become a lost art in age of instant messages

                                  Letter writing has become a lost art in age of instant messages

                                    Back in 1935 when Fats Waller recorded “I’m Going to Sit Right Down and Right Myself a Letter” he had no idea that the written letter — a common means of communication for centuries — would be an endangered art form 90 years later.

                                    Fifty-nine days of the winter months

                                    Fifty-nine days of the winter months

                                      I think it was the winter of 1977-78, one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record. I still remember the “treat” of being snowed in on a Thursday and Friday, so we kids had a four-day weekend.

                                      Reflections on the ones who taught readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                      Reflections on the ones who taught readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                        Some time back I saw a bumper sticker that read, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” I quietly mumbled, “Amen.”

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