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.
Field Notes caught up with April Hemmes, who farms in Iowa.
“We have a great crop growing, but we have gone two weeks now without measurable rain. It is really starting to show,” she explained. “I just went to the great Iowa State Fair yesterday. What I saw on my trip down there really showed signs of stress. The wear-and-tear on Iowa corn is really starting to show.”
To find out more, including how Hemmes will be helping federal legislators and regulators have a first-hand experience with the incredible technology used to increase sustainability on modern farms, click here.
James Raben, who farms in southern Illinois, also took time to share his insight into current crop conditions. Like Hemmes, Raben sees moisture as an issue for many farmers in his area.
“We’ve had some dry spells,” he explained. “Luckily, we did get an inch or two of rain last weekend. Still, the corn crop looks fairly good, and the ears are beginning to dry right on schedule.”
To find out more, including what Raben has heard about crop conditions elsewhere and why waiting to harvest can save farmers money in the current market, 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.
