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Opinion

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…

          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.

            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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