This week, the National Corn Growers Association continued its seventh season of Field Notes, a series that takes readers behind the farm gate to follow the year in the life of American farm families. While these growers come from diverse geographic areas and run unique operations, they share a common love for U.S. agriculture and the basic values that underpin life in farming communities.
Earlier this week, Field Notes caught up with April Hemmes, who farms in north central Iowa. Even in late May, she is dealing with weather more indicative of early spring
“It is about 50 something degrees although it is the 20-something of May,” she explained. “We are getting tired of cold, wet weather. When you see geese swimming in a pond and realize it is a bean field, that isn’t good.”
Not one to complain, Hemmes takes the unseasonable conditions in good stride while keeping up hope for improved weather.
“Honestly, the corn has turned a bit yellow. We could use some warmer, drier weather right now.”
To find out more, click here .
In Texas, farmer Chad Wetzel, who also serves on NCGA’s Freedom to Operate Action Team, has been dealing with far different conditions thus far.
“We feel quite fortunate that we have had cooler than normal weather the past few weeks,” he said. “Normally, Texas summers have low rainfall and hot, sunny days. The temperatures are running below average here, and it is helping the crop pollinate.”
To find out more, click here.
Stay tuned over the coming weeks as Field Notes follows the growers who have opened their farms, families and communities up this year and meet the true faces of modern American agriculture.
COVID-19 Resources
NCGA is taking a series of actions to do our part to help contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the economic fallout it is creating for corn farmers and our customers. Short term, this means instituting policies to protect the health and safety of our stakeholders and the broader communities we serve. Long term, we’re focused on creating solutions to help corn farmers and our customers recover from the financial impacts of this crisis.
CommonGround
CommonGround is a group of farmers connecting with consumers through conversations about science and research and personal stories about food and misinformation surrounding farming. Supported by the NCGA and state corn organizations.
SHP
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is a farmer-led initiative that fosters transformation in agriculture through improved soil health. Administered by NCGA the partnership has more than 220 working farms enrolled in 16 states. SHP’s mission is to utilize science and data to partner with farmers who are adopting conservation agricultural practices that improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the farm.