Thank you for that brillant piece of information! I live in a rural community of a little less than 4,000. We are struggling to find the money to build a new wastewater treatment plant, The price tag is in excess of 23 million and the city had bonded for an extra 5 million for likely cost over runs that are expected. We, as citizens of a small town, are suppose to carry this load to reduce nitrates and other poisons in our rivers and streams. We don't generate the vast majority of this pollution. While farmers pay fewer taxes on agriculture land and expect us to cover them with our waste water treatment plants! The "Family Farm" no longer exsists; these are family corporations not unlike the the Walmart Family Organization. I have a few questions for my Democratic leadership. Is sucking on the Agribiz teat the reason the Democratic party is in such a sad shape in Iowa? Obviously the Republicans are crazy for anything that will turn state government into a fascist organization! Neither can answer for how is a town of 4,000 going to pay for pollution control with no tax money ? The Federal Government forks over trillions for CO2 pipeline construction for ethanol operations, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer being used sky rockets and with no control of keeping that nitrogen where plants can use, it continues to be flushed into our rivers and streams. Drain tile, often considered the cheapest form of soil conservation, partially paid for with tax dollars, delivers it to our streams! How the hell is this sustainable? Food costs are rising, large amounts of land are becoming "oil fields". While our drinking water for humans and our animals is being poisoned with nitrates and farm chemicals that never will dissipate. All to profit a few at the expense of the rest!
Also I don't know where u live but I'm a family farmer. I'm surrounded by family farmers, yes many are incorporated for various reason. I live in the corn belt that also raises SB, cattle, hogs, hay and family's.
Question: does water from streams and rivers go in to ur new waste water plant? I thought the plant would be used just for the town. Also didn't u get money from feds to help?
We have two wells that produce our water. Our waste water treatment plant will take at least 40 years to pay for. We get a low interest loan for part of the costs, but that is on us to pay for the plant. Because we have a plant that takes care of our waste, the criteria continues to climb to make our waste water cleaner, what that really means is the farmers who generate all sorts of pollution take no responsibility for any of their pollution simply because it is classified as "Non-Point Source Pollution". When there are large manure spills, the chances the DNR is going to catch that spill is largely dependent on the public reporting it, since there really isn't anyone monitoring or any equipment in the streams monitoring spills or releases of toxic waste, fertilizers, etc. If the spill is a bad spill, usually the operator will report it simply because reporting it will lower the fine which is capped at $10,000. The DNR can sue, but rarely does, they often require replacement costs for dead fish, but often times by the time they get on site, the fish have simply been ate or at the bottom of the river as many are minnows or chubs. The EPA might get involved, but that too is rare. So, as the amounts of "Non Point Source Pollution" rise, so do the requirements for cleaning up what goes into the streams for those who have treatment faculties. They can track treatment facilities and bring down the amount of nitrate in the water so it is up to us to improve our systems. The farmers, who often are corporate farmers (or the number of farmers quoted in this article would be sufficiently higher) are getting away with doing a voluntary project to lower the nitrate in the water. Now with over ten years in that process, cover crops on corn and soybean lands amount to only 6% of the total crop land, and the amount of land in crops has increased! Not trying very hard are they? Even with money available to off set the costs of cover crops, it still isn't being done sufficiently! State government is just as complicit, by eliminating the monitoring stations which had reported their voluntary program wasn't working, and going out of their way to push Chris Jones out of his position for simply acknowledging the short comings of the states policies and procedures for dealing with the problem. Read Chris Jones book, "Swine Republic", it will make clear what is happening.
I'm still surprised the town gets no fed grant money. I saw town near me get over 1/2 in cost share.
Who are 'corporate' farmers? My neighbor, that there is family involved? Is it another where it's just one farmer living on his home place and farming for a living? Is it a farmer that has a corp for his farming op and another for his 2 semis that haul his grain and are on the road? I get confused.
I, like many other farmers I know are very concerned with the nitrate problem that has developed. My great grandfather installed some field tile, my grdfather did, my father did and I have. Long before we new about nitrates and going down the drainage tile. Nitrogen can be so hard to manage even with adding stabilizers. Tell me when it's going to rain I'll tell when and how much to apply. I went to multiple passes with smaller amts per time yrs ago trying to increase efficiency at definitely extra costs to me. I wish I'd known about cover crops 30 yrs ago when I started no-tilling to save soil. I started with cover crops several yrs ago and there has been much learned since then. Still big problem, must terminate the cover crop cereal rye no less than 2 weeks before planting corn. If don't, since both are a grass, the rye can reduce early season growth and germination of the corn seed. Now that alone can be a management nightmare: temperature for product to terminate to work, field conditions causing compaction, wind. And don't forget at this point most is chemically terminated requiring another pass. An operator can only get $$ for 160 acres. This amt doesn't offset the cost of seed, drilling, terminating and another spraying pass of several dollar for those acres let alone any other acres. I truly support the fact that rye sequesters N for release later, BUT HOW MUCH? WE are slowly learning and implementing.
I agree it was a political strong arm from some legislatures on Chris. But, as I understand it, he was using the University's platform for his private political writings. He was told if he used a different platform then nothing could be done. I asked him this question at a mtg and he dodged it. Oh yes, I've read his book. Some parts more than once and believe me a lot is very misleading and on gray area of not quiet true. Wording can be so misleading.
The intent of the Legal thing called a "Corporation" has always been to reduce the blame on those human parts of a business and put it on something other than people. It really doesn't matter if it is a farm Corp., a trucking Corp., or a Manufacturing one, they all have the same workings and leave humans out of the punishment part of morally being responsible of what they direct that corporation to do, or not do. The Corporation structure is about as moral as the Mafia, they have the same ethic, make money and if you can't make money legally, make money any way! Violate any law, control the people who write those laws in anyway possible, and if something interfers with making money, simply ignore it, all the people who should bear responsibility are covered, and only the corporation is to blame, which you can't put in jail, only fine.
What lie is being told? That hundreds, thousands draw a paycheck to provide for their families? Maybe that the insular educated class don’t give a damn about rural Iowa? That this piece could reflect a loathsome class prejudice? That Chris’s vision for the future is unsustainable.? We’re a community of real people not a park.
I'm disappointed and tired of democrats caving to the almighty farmer in Wisconsin, as well. Of course we need agriculture, but the absolute greed, corruption, pollution and violations let go in the name of "feeding the masses" is ridiculous. Regenerative farming is only sustainable if it is practiced completely not partially. Overproduction of dairy is is killing us and yet they want to expand more. No CAFO owners involved in Local control, stiffer regulations and enforcement, and more incentive for small regenerative farms would be a start.
I appreciate your work and try to share it on social media whenever I see it. I share your frustrations with the Democratic party in Iowa. I also think we need to look at the Iowa press . They are utterly worthless and treat Democrats with contempt while ignoring Republican lies. No one has the back of the Democratic party or progressive viewpoints in this state other than a few columnists. Right wing propaganda, Fox News but particularly in Iowa, local right wing commercial talk radio, has turned Iowans' brains to mush by pumping wild crazy-talk daily into Iowa communities. Peter Slevin who wrote The Power of Political Disinformation in Iowa published in The New Yorker (link: https://www.newyorker.com/news/campaign-chronicles/the-power-of-political-disinformation-in-iowa) , noted everyone he talked to had conservative talk radio playing in the background in their garage or house. Republicans know they can say anything no matter how outrageous and it will be believed and will go unchallenged by the regular press. Many mainstream media outlets don't report which party votes for which bills. Republicans appear weekly on the Iowa Press program and do nothing but lie completely unchallenged. Not small nuancey lies but huge whoppers, obviously made up and handed down by the national party for example, Democrats are for abortions "after birth." They successfully misstate, twist and distort Democratic ideas with absolutely no pushback or follow up question from the Iowa Press panel. The Republicans spew national party lies week after week on the statewide broadcast. The lack of pressure by the press and their inability to challenge Republicans allows Republicans to squash, intimidate, successfully attack or ignore any resistance. It ensures that Republican lies are spread far and wide and subsumed by local cultures. Our side offers criticism of Democrats and lumps them in with Republicans which is not fair or helpful in my view because it feeds the "both sides are the same" idea which I think makes people feel hopeless and defeated and gives them an excuse to not get involved. The two parties are not the same. Democrats have a party platform. Republicans don't even bother with one anymore. I agree the Democrats are not good fighters and they need a fighting strategy. I agree it is frustrating to watch them. But I would argue that Democrats don't prefer things this way. They are for clean water and they don't want the environment ruined. They are caught in a dysfunctional system that means if they make a misstep they could actually make things worse. They get little help from the left except for when we point out their failures and say they're no better than Republicans. I don't know what the answer is but it seems apparent that saving our water and environment will have to involve a political movement or nothing will happen. That means we have to beef up the Democratic side and put a dent in the Republican trifecta. I think we need leadership and organizing but not publicly or equally blaming Democrats, the only thing standing in the way of total fascism, lame as they are. They don't want things this way. They're trying to fight a fair fight that now has no rules. I have done some research about right wing talk radio in Iowa. Most people don't realize how much there is on Iowa's local radio stations. Nobody wants to deal with this but you just can't have 30-40% of the population believing crazy stuff that they hear on their local station that is absolutely not true and still think we can solve problems.
Iowa commercial radio stations that broadcast multiple hours a day of crazy right wing talk: The hours listed after each station is all right-wing talk, not regular programming.
I haven't seen anything that would indicate that there is a strategy to address this. I and a handful of others have tried everything we can think of over the years to expose the problem. Super frustrating.
I recently suggested to IA Farmers Union leader that FU strategically sprinkle radio spots about its mission to boost family-scale ag and rural Iowa . . .
Try KMA and KICD in west Iowa, to test impact on membership interest.
Let farmers / rurals know there's a non-Farm Bureau alternative !
Yes, yes, yes! I completely agree. Thank you for this column, Chris. I will be sharing it with some democratic politicians. It is no wonder so many Iowans are apathetic.
As they say in rural Iowegia "Yep". I assume Rita, who I have met, and seems an intelligent person, knows better. The whole ethanol boondoggle and surrounding vibe reminds me of being a young man with other stupid young men attending clubs where " exotic dancers" demonstrated their skills. We all, dancers and ogglers alike, pretended this was a wholesome affair, perfectly healthy innocent entertainment. When, in our seedy little hearts we all knew the truth of the exchange; her debasement for our dollars. So Iowa, slap on your best g-string around your corn fructose laden waist, and keep pretending that selling our environmental birthright for ethanol is a healthy exchange.
When Rita Hart lost the IA 01 congressional race in 2020 by 6 votes, there were 2000 fewer votes for her than for Biden (against Trump) in Johnson County. The students had no idea who she was.
Yeah it has been frustrating over the last four plus yrs as democrats have ignored the deep mistrust of these pipelines. I know of several progressive activists who would almost never be in the same rooms with some of these old landowners but managed to find common ground over Eminent domain. Even watched on social media as one tried to reach out to elected officials in this state and were rebuffed. I think because they are left leaning environmentalists and that scares some of our dems. It's many opportunities lost
"Farmer" has no meaning coming out of the mouths of Iowa Democrats - never mind the GOP - at least the GOP is open about its contempt for its own electorate. Say "farmer" thrice and click your heels. It's infuriating - as the daughter of an actual farmer (small family owner operated - tiny farm) - I'm constantly wresting the word from their lips.
What is the breakdown of water pollution contribution in Iowa by food, feed, fuel and fiber agriculture? I think within the human dimension of changing perception and mindset these elements must be understood before the messaging can be crafted to start moving the needle.
It's not practical to assign a certain proportion to corn for ethanol and corn for livestock feed based on farm practices related to the fate of the crop. But, about 55% of the corn is used for ethanol, so it's a pretty safe assumption that about 55% of the pollution resulting from corn production can be assigned to corn for ethanol. We also get a lot of nutrient pollution from soybeans even though they (usually) aren't fertilized with nitrogen. This is directly related to the water use patterns of soybeans and the water budget from a soybean field (lots of flow of water before the crop is planted in mid May). In a wet spring, we can get as much or more nutrient runoff from a soybean field as a corn field. It is well known that inputs for seed corn can be very, very high because it is so valuable. So that is likely our most polluting crop.
Since I consider myself a practical person I beg to differ why we shouldn't assign the different products of yellow dent corn that goes to an ethanol plant. To me it gives a much clearer picture. Soo I believe the 55% should be broke down to uses from the corn that goes to ethanol production?
A bu of corn produces 2.8 gal of ethanol (about 37% of a bu of corn) and 17# (about 30% of bu of corn) of DDG's. Another by product from corn ethanol is corn distillers oil. .Sooo u really can't say that all the pollution resulting from production of yellow dent corn in Iowa going to Ethanol can be charged to the ethanol produced. Can you?
When u talk about runoff from a corn or SB field, are u meaning a previous yrs field or this crop year crop? Big difference. An untilled corn field from last yr going to SB this yr will have a lot less runoff than a untilled SB field going to corn this yr. Also in your next to last line u said 'seed corn', which I as a farmer took it to mean seed corn production, which I have raised, and we never had to add as much commercial fertilizer IF our soil tests were in upper med. to low high according to university recommendation since seed corn nutrient removal was lower as yields were lower than yellow dent corn. I just need clarification for all reading this.
One more thing just because a crop has higher inputs, why is it more polluting? Many fruits, vegetables, establishing alfalfa crop, etc. have high production costs Why more polluting?
Chris I listened to your podcast with Monte Bottens and I have many questions. I’m not reporter, but someone very interested in addressing this problem. Would you consider talking off line with me? david@emergentconnext.com
when the Science Assessment for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction strategy was done in 2012, it concluded about 90-95% of nitrogen and ~85% of phosphorus pollution was from agriculture.
Thanks Chris I understand that, but I'm wondering for example is there any data on how much is directly related to corn grown for biofuel or its processing?
Thank you for that brillant piece of information! I live in a rural community of a little less than 4,000. We are struggling to find the money to build a new wastewater treatment plant, The price tag is in excess of 23 million and the city had bonded for an extra 5 million for likely cost over runs that are expected. We, as citizens of a small town, are suppose to carry this load to reduce nitrates and other poisons in our rivers and streams. We don't generate the vast majority of this pollution. While farmers pay fewer taxes on agriculture land and expect us to cover them with our waste water treatment plants! The "Family Farm" no longer exsists; these are family corporations not unlike the the Walmart Family Organization. I have a few questions for my Democratic leadership. Is sucking on the Agribiz teat the reason the Democratic party is in such a sad shape in Iowa? Obviously the Republicans are crazy for anything that will turn state government into a fascist organization! Neither can answer for how is a town of 4,000 going to pay for pollution control with no tax money ? The Federal Government forks over trillions for CO2 pipeline construction for ethanol operations, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer being used sky rockets and with no control of keeping that nitrogen where plants can use, it continues to be flushed into our rivers and streams. Drain tile, often considered the cheapest form of soil conservation, partially paid for with tax dollars, delivers it to our streams! How the hell is this sustainable? Food costs are rising, large amounts of land are becoming "oil fields". While our drinking water for humans and our animals is being poisoned with nitrates and farm chemicals that never will dissipate. All to profit a few at the expense of the rest!
For everyone's info and clarification, what do u consider a 'Family Farmer'?.
. . .wouldn't be Hanson farm ?? (dba Iowa Select) though I've heard this family resides in a Glen Oaks farmhouse!
Also I don't know where u live but I'm a family farmer. I'm surrounded by family farmers, yes many are incorporated for various reason. I live in the corn belt that also raises SB, cattle, hogs, hay and family's.
Question: does water from streams and rivers go in to ur new waste water plant? I thought the plant would be used just for the town. Also didn't u get money from feds to help?
We have two wells that produce our water. Our waste water treatment plant will take at least 40 years to pay for. We get a low interest loan for part of the costs, but that is on us to pay for the plant. Because we have a plant that takes care of our waste, the criteria continues to climb to make our waste water cleaner, what that really means is the farmers who generate all sorts of pollution take no responsibility for any of their pollution simply because it is classified as "Non-Point Source Pollution". When there are large manure spills, the chances the DNR is going to catch that spill is largely dependent on the public reporting it, since there really isn't anyone monitoring or any equipment in the streams monitoring spills or releases of toxic waste, fertilizers, etc. If the spill is a bad spill, usually the operator will report it simply because reporting it will lower the fine which is capped at $10,000. The DNR can sue, but rarely does, they often require replacement costs for dead fish, but often times by the time they get on site, the fish have simply been ate or at the bottom of the river as many are minnows or chubs. The EPA might get involved, but that too is rare. So, as the amounts of "Non Point Source Pollution" rise, so do the requirements for cleaning up what goes into the streams for those who have treatment faculties. They can track treatment facilities and bring down the amount of nitrate in the water so it is up to us to improve our systems. The farmers, who often are corporate farmers (or the number of farmers quoted in this article would be sufficiently higher) are getting away with doing a voluntary project to lower the nitrate in the water. Now with over ten years in that process, cover crops on corn and soybean lands amount to only 6% of the total crop land, and the amount of land in crops has increased! Not trying very hard are they? Even with money available to off set the costs of cover crops, it still isn't being done sufficiently! State government is just as complicit, by eliminating the monitoring stations which had reported their voluntary program wasn't working, and going out of their way to push Chris Jones out of his position for simply acknowledging the short comings of the states policies and procedures for dealing with the problem. Read Chris Jones book, "Swine Republic", it will make clear what is happening.
I'm still surprised the town gets no fed grant money. I saw town near me get over 1/2 in cost share.
Who are 'corporate' farmers? My neighbor, that there is family involved? Is it another where it's just one farmer living on his home place and farming for a living? Is it a farmer that has a corp for his farming op and another for his 2 semis that haul his grain and are on the road? I get confused.
I, like many other farmers I know are very concerned with the nitrate problem that has developed. My great grandfather installed some field tile, my grdfather did, my father did and I have. Long before we new about nitrates and going down the drainage tile. Nitrogen can be so hard to manage even with adding stabilizers. Tell me when it's going to rain I'll tell when and how much to apply. I went to multiple passes with smaller amts per time yrs ago trying to increase efficiency at definitely extra costs to me. I wish I'd known about cover crops 30 yrs ago when I started no-tilling to save soil. I started with cover crops several yrs ago and there has been much learned since then. Still big problem, must terminate the cover crop cereal rye no less than 2 weeks before planting corn. If don't, since both are a grass, the rye can reduce early season growth and germination of the corn seed. Now that alone can be a management nightmare: temperature for product to terminate to work, field conditions causing compaction, wind. And don't forget at this point most is chemically terminated requiring another pass. An operator can only get $$ for 160 acres. This amt doesn't offset the cost of seed, drilling, terminating and another spraying pass of several dollar for those acres let alone any other acres. I truly support the fact that rye sequesters N for release later, BUT HOW MUCH? WE are slowly learning and implementing.
I agree it was a political strong arm from some legislatures on Chris. But, as I understand it, he was using the University's platform for his private political writings. He was told if he used a different platform then nothing could be done. I asked him this question at a mtg and he dodged it. Oh yes, I've read his book. Some parts more than once and believe me a lot is very misleading and on gray area of not quiet true. Wording can be so misleading.
How intellectually lazy of you. Try winter peas. Crimped and planted in one pass. Or, better yet emulate Gabe Brown.
Thx for compliment. Are now making changes in cover crop of coming corn production year compared to SB yr. Who is Gabe Brown?
Have you, in your opinion, been able to define 'corporate' farmers as you mentioned?
The intent of the Legal thing called a "Corporation" has always been to reduce the blame on those human parts of a business and put it on something other than people. It really doesn't matter if it is a farm Corp., a trucking Corp., or a Manufacturing one, they all have the same workings and leave humans out of the punishment part of morally being responsible of what they direct that corporation to do, or not do. The Corporation structure is about as moral as the Mafia, they have the same ethic, make money and if you can't make money legally, make money any way! Violate any law, control the people who write those laws in anyway possible, and if something interfers with making money, simply ignore it, all the people who should bear responsibility are covered, and only the corporation is to blame, which you can't put in jail, only fine.
Yes, 1,000 percent. Cannot understand why Iowa Dems don’t make clean water and public dollars for public schools their two main issues.
. . .as well as farm policies that incentivize the family-scale farm model and that DON'T incentivize consolidation/monocropping/vertical integration!
3 main issues !
(Rural Iowa needs an ag structure that retains income/equity in rural places !)
Brilliant piece. Reminds me of this: “There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the means by which to detect lies” Walter Lippmann
What lie is being told? That hundreds, thousands draw a paycheck to provide for their families? Maybe that the insular educated class don’t give a damn about rural Iowa? That this piece could reflect a loathsome class prejudice? That Chris’s vision for the future is unsustainable.? We’re a community of real people not a park.
I'm disappointed and tired of democrats caving to the almighty farmer in Wisconsin, as well. Of course we need agriculture, but the absolute greed, corruption, pollution and violations let go in the name of "feeding the masses" is ridiculous. Regenerative farming is only sustainable if it is practiced completely not partially. Overproduction of dairy is is killing us and yet they want to expand more. No CAFO owners involved in Local control, stiffer regulations and enforcement, and more incentive for small regenerative farms would be a start.
Thanks for all you do.
I appreciate your work and try to share it on social media whenever I see it. I share your frustrations with the Democratic party in Iowa. I also think we need to look at the Iowa press . They are utterly worthless and treat Democrats with contempt while ignoring Republican lies. No one has the back of the Democratic party or progressive viewpoints in this state other than a few columnists. Right wing propaganda, Fox News but particularly in Iowa, local right wing commercial talk radio, has turned Iowans' brains to mush by pumping wild crazy-talk daily into Iowa communities. Peter Slevin who wrote The Power of Political Disinformation in Iowa published in The New Yorker (link: https://www.newyorker.com/news/campaign-chronicles/the-power-of-political-disinformation-in-iowa) , noted everyone he talked to had conservative talk radio playing in the background in their garage or house. Republicans know they can say anything no matter how outrageous and it will be believed and will go unchallenged by the regular press. Many mainstream media outlets don't report which party votes for which bills. Republicans appear weekly on the Iowa Press program and do nothing but lie completely unchallenged. Not small nuancey lies but huge whoppers, obviously made up and handed down by the national party for example, Democrats are for abortions "after birth." They successfully misstate, twist and distort Democratic ideas with absolutely no pushback or follow up question from the Iowa Press panel. The Republicans spew national party lies week after week on the statewide broadcast. The lack of pressure by the press and their inability to challenge Republicans allows Republicans to squash, intimidate, successfully attack or ignore any resistance. It ensures that Republican lies are spread far and wide and subsumed by local cultures. Our side offers criticism of Democrats and lumps them in with Republicans which is not fair or helpful in my view because it feeds the "both sides are the same" idea which I think makes people feel hopeless and defeated and gives them an excuse to not get involved. The two parties are not the same. Democrats have a party platform. Republicans don't even bother with one anymore. I agree the Democrats are not good fighters and they need a fighting strategy. I agree it is frustrating to watch them. But I would argue that Democrats don't prefer things this way. They are for clean water and they don't want the environment ruined. They are caught in a dysfunctional system that means if they make a misstep they could actually make things worse. They get little help from the left except for when we point out their failures and say they're no better than Republicans. I don't know what the answer is but it seems apparent that saving our water and environment will have to involve a political movement or nothing will happen. That means we have to beef up the Democratic side and put a dent in the Republican trifecta. I think we need leadership and organizing but not publicly or equally blaming Democrats, the only thing standing in the way of total fascism, lame as they are. They don't want things this way. They're trying to fight a fair fight that now has no rules. I have done some research about right wing talk radio in Iowa. Most people don't realize how much there is on Iowa's local radio stations. Nobody wants to deal with this but you just can't have 30-40% of the population believing crazy stuff that they hear on their local station that is absolutely not true and still think we can solve problems.
Iowa commercial radio stations that broadcast multiple hours a day of crazy right wing talk: The hours listed after each station is all right-wing talk, not regular programming.
KCPS Burlington – 12 hrs/day,
KBUR Burlington – 6 hrs,
KXEL Waterloo-CF – 12 hrs,
WOC Quad Cities – 11 1/2 hrs,
WHO Des Moines 11 1/2 hrs,
KSJC Sioux City – 13 hrs,
WMT Cedar Rapids 8 hrs,
WDBQ Dubuque, 6 hrs,
KILR Estherville – 15 hrs,
KGLO Mason City – 9 hrs,
KFJB Marshalltown, 6 hrs, *updated 09/06/17
KASI Ames, 6 hrs, and
KICD Spencer, 5-6 hrs.
https://blogforiowa.com/2017/02/10/right-wing-media-and-the-power-of-fear/
This documentary is informative.
https://blogforiowa.com/2017/08/21/movie-review-the-brainwashing-of-my-dad/
Also, I write frequent reviews about the Iowa Press program because my progressive friends can no longer stand to watch it.
https://blogforiowa.com/2023/05/29/is-fifty-years-of-iowa-press-enough/
Thank you for reading my comment.
Trish Nelson
Iowa City
You hit it on the head ! These rural radio stations spew tons of direct and oblique right-wing stuff day after day.
Do Ds and their public interest allies have a strategy to address this ??
What is it ?
I haven't seen anything that would indicate that there is a strategy to address this. I and a handful of others have tried everything we can think of over the years to expose the problem. Super frustrating.
I recently suggested to IA Farmers Union leader that FU strategically sprinkle radio spots about its mission to boost family-scale ag and rural Iowa . . .
Try KMA and KICD in west Iowa, to test impact on membership interest.
Let farmers / rurals know there's a non-Farm Bureau alternative !
Why are weekly IPTV public news broadcasts (IOWA PRESS; MARKET TO MARKET) program-specific as to sponsorship $$$ ?
My guess is that these sponsors all have right-of-center political leanings. Or their leadership folks.
So you can bet a number of compelling subjects and issues are either ignored or covered in a beneigned manner !
Yes, yes, yes! I completely agree. Thank you for this column, Chris. I will be sharing it with some democratic politicians. It is no wonder so many Iowans are apathetic.
As they say in rural Iowegia "Yep". I assume Rita, who I have met, and seems an intelligent person, knows better. The whole ethanol boondoggle and surrounding vibe reminds me of being a young man with other stupid young men attending clubs where " exotic dancers" demonstrated their skills. We all, dancers and ogglers alike, pretended this was a wholesome affair, perfectly healthy innocent entertainment. When, in our seedy little hearts we all knew the truth of the exchange; her debasement for our dollars. So Iowa, slap on your best g-string around your corn fructose laden waist, and keep pretending that selling our environmental birthright for ethanol is a healthy exchange.
Please scroll on down to 'Do' post and broaden ur knowledge of ethanol
When Rita Hart lost the IA 01 congressional race in 2020 by 6 votes, there were 2000 fewer votes for her than for Biden (against Trump) in Johnson County. The students had no idea who she was.
Yeah it has been frustrating over the last four plus yrs as democrats have ignored the deep mistrust of these pipelines. I know of several progressive activists who would almost never be in the same rooms with some of these old landowners but managed to find common ground over Eminent domain. Even watched on social media as one tried to reach out to elected officials in this state and were rebuffed. I think because they are left leaning environmentalists and that scares some of our dems. It's many opportunities lost
Amen !
Democrats again doing their best to remain Minority when they could be pro-rural and pro-water !
Amen, Jay!
"Farmer" has no meaning coming out of the mouths of Iowa Democrats - never mind the GOP - at least the GOP is open about its contempt for its own electorate. Say "farmer" thrice and click your heels. It's infuriating - as the daughter of an actual farmer (small family owner operated - tiny farm) - I'm constantly wresting the word from their lips.
Maybe it’s time the Dems stopped electing farmers for a start 🫤
Which elected Iowa Democrats are farmers?
What is the breakdown of water pollution contribution in Iowa by food, feed, fuel and fiber agriculture? I think within the human dimension of changing perception and mindset these elements must be understood before the messaging can be crafted to start moving the needle.
It's not practical to assign a certain proportion to corn for ethanol and corn for livestock feed based on farm practices related to the fate of the crop. But, about 55% of the corn is used for ethanol, so it's a pretty safe assumption that about 55% of the pollution resulting from corn production can be assigned to corn for ethanol. We also get a lot of nutrient pollution from soybeans even though they (usually) aren't fertilized with nitrogen. This is directly related to the water use patterns of soybeans and the water budget from a soybean field (lots of flow of water before the crop is planted in mid May). In a wet spring, we can get as much or more nutrient runoff from a soybean field as a corn field. It is well known that inputs for seed corn can be very, very high because it is so valuable. So that is likely our most polluting crop.
Since I consider myself a practical person I beg to differ why we shouldn't assign the different products of yellow dent corn that goes to an ethanol plant. To me it gives a much clearer picture. Soo I believe the 55% should be broke down to uses from the corn that goes to ethanol production?
A bu of corn produces 2.8 gal of ethanol (about 37% of a bu of corn) and 17# (about 30% of bu of corn) of DDG's. Another by product from corn ethanol is corn distillers oil. .Sooo u really can't say that all the pollution resulting from production of yellow dent corn in Iowa going to Ethanol can be charged to the ethanol produced. Can you?
When u talk about runoff from a corn or SB field, are u meaning a previous yrs field or this crop year crop? Big difference. An untilled corn field from last yr going to SB this yr will have a lot less runoff than a untilled SB field going to corn this yr. Also in your next to last line u said 'seed corn', which I as a farmer took it to mean seed corn production, which I have raised, and we never had to add as much commercial fertilizer IF our soil tests were in upper med. to low high according to university recommendation since seed corn nutrient removal was lower as yields were lower than yellow dent corn. I just need clarification for all reading this.
One more thing just because a crop has higher inputs, why is it more polluting? Many fruits, vegetables, establishing alfalfa crop, etc. have high production costs Why more polluting?
Thank you
Chris I listened to your podcast with Monte Bottens and I have many questions. I’m not reporter, but someone very interested in addressing this problem. Would you consider talking off line with me? david@emergentconnext.com
David
when the Science Assessment for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction strategy was done in 2012, it concluded about 90-95% of nitrogen and ~85% of phosphorus pollution was from agriculture.
Thanks Chris I understand that, but I'm wondering for example is there any data on how much is directly related to corn grown for biofuel or its processing?
Chris, I don't get it either. Thank you so much for what you do and letting us know what we don't know. Your work is invaluable.
Amen!
Thanks.
Oh Boy, you hit it on the head Chris. Way to go.