Farming

Conservators have restored Grant Wood's century-old 'Corn Room' mural, bringing new life to one of Sioux City's most significant works of art. The mural now anchors a new exhibition that explores Wood's legacy and the changing story of rural America.

Iowa farmers and pork producers are urging the U.S., Mexico and Canada to renew a massive trade agreement in the coming weeks. Around 40% of Iowa’s goods are exported to the two countries, with corn, soybeans, ethanol and tractors at the top of the list.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the state’s first so-called Iowa Farm Act, along with the appropriations bill for agriculture and natural resources. The legislation provides more funding for local food and water treatment plants.

The Lincoln and Jefferson highways were two of the nation's earliest transcontinental roads. These two highways intersected in Colo, Iowa, where a farmer named Charlie Reed had the idea to sell gas to motorists in 1923. He also let travelers pitch tents overnight on his property. On this episode, we learn about the history of the Reed-Niland Corner, with a former Reed Station employee, Scott Berka, who was also instrumental in the site's restoration project of the late 1990s to early 2000s. Then we learn about a new nonprofit, Reed-Niland Corner, Inc. that recently bought the site from the City of Colo to keep the history alive into the future. Later, we head east down the Lincoln Highway to Lisbon, where the McElmeel family has formed their own nonprofit to restore the Meyers Farmstead Historic District and open it to the public as Pleasant Grove Heritage Park.

The U.S. Supreme Court has filed to preserve telehealth access to the abortion pill mifepristone as new Iowa restrictions await Gov. Kim Reynolds' signature. On this Newsbuzz edition of River to River, we break down what this SCOTUS action means with law professor Jill Wieber Lens and what may come next for abortion pill access. Plus, we kick off our 2026 primary election preview series, get a spring crop update with Mark Licht, say farewell to IPR's Josie Fischels and groove into the weekend with Studio One host Cece Mitchell.

As President Donald Trump has promised deregulation, experts share what that means for water quality and where regulations already fall short. Farmer and former Iowa Corn Growers Association President Tim Recker has dramatically changed his farm, going no-till and adding wetlands. Water quality proponent Silvia Secchi who gives a history of The Clean Water Act and argues regulations don't go far enough. Also, Nina Elkadi, an investigative reporter, shares her reporting on water quality issues. Then, Melissa Miller, the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative project director, speaks about the complexities of nutrient application on farms and the work they are doing to make this application more accurate. (This episode was produced in March 2025.)