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  • 82° Partly Cloudy

Opinion

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…

        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.

          SafetyWatch: Peer support offers farmers a way forward

          SafetyWatch: Peer support offers farmers a way forward

          • By Jenn Patterson

          Summer only arrived a few weeks ago, but extreme heat and storms have already taken a toll on many Iowa farms. Corn fields are uneven. Soybeans are patchy. Some fields will recover; others won’t.

          Bayer reacts to court’s decision on glyphosate lawsuits

          Bayer reacts to court’s decision on glyphosate lawsuits

          • Bayer News Release

          LEVERKEUSEN, Germany — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 7:2 landmark ruling in the Durnell Roundup case June 25, affirming that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) expressly preempts state-law-based failure-to-warn claims when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agen…

          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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