© 2025 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Owners of a nearly 160-year-old Heritage farm want to strengthen the community of Black farmers

Ways To Subscribe
Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

The number of non-white farmers in Iowa is less than one percent, according to the 2017 Agricultural Census.

The census reported only 72 Black farmers in Iowa, though state and national numbers may be underreported because some Black growers of vegetables and flowers may not consider themselves traditional farmers.

The Westerns are a proud Black farming family. They've owned land for 150 years or more, qualifying them as a Heritage farm. The land the Westerns own in Mahaska County is likely the only Heritage farm owned by a Black family in Iowa. They also actively farm 35 acres east of Waterloo.

Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe talks with Gazette reporter Erin Jordan about a series of stories she's written on Black Iowa farmers in the past year, including the Westerns.

Nebbe then talks with three generations of the family about the challenges, changes and triumphs they've experienced in farming and preserving their legacy, while also seeking more sustainable practices for the future.

Guests:

  • Erin Jordan, investigative reporter, The Gazette
  • Charlene Montgomery, great-granddaughter of Thomas Western
  • Barbara Western, CEO, Western Family Farms
  • Todd Western III, son of Barbara, farmer
  • Christopher Western, son of Barbara, farm mechanic
  • Todd Western IV, son of Todd Western III, farmer
Charity Nebbe is IPR's<i> Talk of Iowa</i> host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts <i>Garden Variety</i> and <i>Unsettled</i>. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Samantha McIntosh is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. Since 2022, McIntosh has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.