Rachel Cramer
Harvest Public Media ReporterExpertise: Telling stories about agriculture, environmental issues and rural communities
Education: Masters degree from the University of Montana, Bachelors degree from Iowa State University
Favorite Iowa Destination: Yellow River State Forest
Experience:
- Has written features on native prairie agriculture, management of bird flu and other disease outbreaks in animal populations, the agricultural industry and sustainability efforts in small towns in Iowa
- Served as a fellow with the International Water Management Institute in Sri Lanka, contributing to a photo story feature with The Guardian, about using latrine waste for compost in Bangladesh
- Launched Cobs & Spikes, a podcast focused on explainers, stories and conversations with experts innovating in the fields of agriculture, food security and nutrition
- Has reported and written features on the challenges and opportunities facing states with aging populations and state values and beliefs as it relates to voting
- Has produced features for Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Here & Now and Native News
- Served as a fellow with Crossing the Divide, a cross-country reporting road trip from WGBH and The GroundTruth Project
- Is an award-winning reporter, including a Best Spot News Coverage award from the AP in 2019 for "Threatening Video Tests Emergency Response Plan at Belgrade Schools"
My Latest Stories
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County auditors around the state are warning voters of a social media post that falsely claims paper ballots marked by poll workers will be disqualified in the midterm elections. Under Iowa law, an election official is required to initial each ballot issued to a voter. -
This year’s recipient of the $500,000 award is Dutch scientist and humanitarian Huub Lelieveld. The World Food Prize Foundation's three-day event in Des Moines has drawn in scientists, philanthropists, farmers, heads of state and Hollywood actors – including one who played the ukulele. -
The John Deere Foundation's farm-to-plate initiative includes $17 million for Feeding America partner food banks and $1.5 million for The Farmlink Project, which rescues surplus produce from farms that would otherwise go to waste. Several food banks in Iowa plan to scale-up purchases from nearby farms with the additional funding. -
Researchers recently traced the birthplace of the world’s dominant cotton species to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Their sleuthing also uncovered a treasure trove of genetic diversity in wild populations, which could eventually make the crop more resilient. -
Over the next two years, the USDA plans to genetically sequence collections of major crops in the agency's National Plant Germplasm System and make that information available to U.S. companies. USDA leaders say this and a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Justice will increase competition in the seed industry. -
Groups representing farmers, solar installers and other organizations are suing the USDA after significant rule changes to the Rural Energy for America Program. They say it leaves program participants on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars or more. -
Incumbent Republican Mike Naig and Democrat Chris Jones disagreed on policies related to ethanol and the state’s approach to reducing nutrient pollution during an appearance on 'Iowa Press.' But both see opportunities for more grass-fed cattle in Iowa. -
Iowa’s water quality has been a major focus in the run-up to electing the state’s next secretary of agriculture. The two candidates believe in different approaches — with Democrat Chris Jones proposing more regulations and incumbent Republican Mike Naig strongly opposed, saying it would hurt small- and medium-sized farmers. -
A family farm in central Iowa recently transitioned their industrial hog operation to grow something else — specialty mushrooms. They say it’s better for them and the environment, and with help from a nonprofit, they hope to inspire other farmers. -
Rather than investing in new gas plants and higher coal usage to scale up generation, the signatories of the 2026 Iowa Climate Statement are advocating for more wind and solar. They say renewable energy is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting Iowans from air pollution and global price fluctuations from fossil fuels.
