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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Gov. Kim Reynolds has requested a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to limit what foods are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Iowa. If approved, SNAP participants would not be able to buy food products subject to sales tax in the state. -
The city of Ames recently purchased property for a new animal shelter that could double the number of animals taken in while providing more space for individual cats, dogs and exotic pets. Staff say the larger space will also help them expand other services and ease shelter capacity issues in the region. -
Global Greens helps former refugee and immigrant farmers grow and sell food in Iowa. With federal funding freezes, cuts and uncertainty, staff are exploring new ways to bring in dollars. -
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is awarding nearly $2.7 million in matching grants to 14 projects this year. One of the sites is Legacy Woods Nature Sanctuary, a new development in West Des Moines. -
A research and development site in Boone is using solar power, air and water to make farm fertilizer. The group behind the project calls it “green ammonia” because it does not rely on fossil fuels, like most synthetic fertilizers. -
South Dakota regulators say Summit Carbon Solutions will need to reapply for a permit application to build a carbon dioxide pipeline. The decision is another setback for the multi-state project. -
Jefferson, a town of over 4,000 people in western Iowa, received national recognition for its investment in public art and efforts to preserve and revitalize its historic downtown. -
Thousands of schools, farmers and food pantries in the Midwest and Great Plains planned on federal dollars over the next year to support local food purchases. And then the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut the programs. -
Commodity and producer groups are calling on the Trump administration to negotiate with trade partners and find new markets amid escalating tariffs and retaliation. -
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins made her first official visit to Iowa since her appointment by President Donald Trump. It came just days before President Trump has promised to roll out more tariffs.
