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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Nitrates, fecal bacteria, sediment and other pollutants in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers threaten safe drinking water for 20% of the state’s population. That's one of the findings from a sweeping study commissioned by Polk County supervisors. -
The CyberTractor Challenge is a weeklong event for university students to learn about cybersecurity for agricultural equipment. Experts say the threats are evolving and becoming more complex. -
Nitrate levels remain elevated in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, two of the drinking water sources for Central Iowa Water Works' 600,000 customers. The regional utility recently shared how it tests water and removes nitrates at one of its plants to meet federal drinking water standards. -
The Des Moines area’s first-ever lawn watering ban helps Central Iowa Water Works keep up with nitrate removal to provide safe drinking water to 600,000 people. Over the next decade, CIWW aims to increase its treatment capacity by 25%. -
State officials say Asian longhorned ticks and the parasite Theileria orientalis Ikeda were found in a cattle herd in Van Buren County. Livestock experts say producers should diligently check cattle for tick infestations and symptoms. -
The Ames City Council voted Tuesday to repeal an ordinance that established a police advisory committee. Other Iowa cities have similar volunteer committees that are affected by a new state law. -
While the U.S. pork industry has grown significantly in the past two decades, producers have struggled to make a profit in recent years. Industry leaders are looking for new markets abroad and at home. -
A Vietnamese delegation signed five memoranda of understanding to purchase more U.S. soy, corn, pork and other agricultural products at the Iowa State Capitol Monday. The non-binding agreements come among ongoing trade talks between the U.S. and Vietnam. -
A federal judge in Iowa ruled against a landholding company that sought to dismantle a long-standing wetlands law called swampbuster. -
Since the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Perry closed in June 2024, some former employees have pivoted to new careers. But the 8,000-person community is still recovering and working to fill the gap left behind by the largest employer in town.
