Here’s what’s going on in some ag communities
A new radio show and a state government needing input from farmers are a few of the recent goings on in U.S. agriculture.
In Iowa, WHO-AM (NewsRadio 1040 WHO) is launching a new weekend show for farmers.
The first episode of “We Speak Farm Saturday” airs June 7 from 5-7am.
Bob Quinn and Duane Murley will host, with other farm department contributors participating as well.
The two-hour production will include USDA recaps, interviews with members of Iowa’s ag community, and local information like rodeos and county fairs.
“When farmers and Ag industry workers get in the truck, tractor or workplace on Saturday it’s only right we’re there with them, too,” Cole Blair, WHO’s program director, said in a statement.
People from outside Iowa can listen online or download the iHeartRadio app to tune in.
In Indiana, the State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) wants to hear from farmers.
The first bill Gov. Braun signed into law directed the ag department to create a portal farmers and agribusinesses owners can visit to receive information about federal and state agencies and programs.
The first step in that process is to understand how farmers want the portal to be set up.
“To create a product that will be useful, we must have input from people on what assistance they need,” Don Lamb, ISDA director, said in a statement. “I want to encourage everyone to take 2 minutes and fill out our ag portal Survey to help us create the best product for you.”
The survey asks users to identify which county they’re from, and to choose priority topics for the ag portal.
The portal is scheduled to launch next year.
In Florida, new data is shedding light on the mental health of producers in the state.
The report from the Florida Farm Bureau, University of Florida, and the Mind Your Melon Foundation surveyed 671 farmers and ag community members between August and November 2024.
The responses showed 66.9 percent of participants reported feeling sad or depressed in the past three months, and 9 percent of people had suicidal thoughts.
Some of the top stressors for Florida farmers were a lack of public understanding of agriculture, and the effects of natural disasters on the farm.
Anyone who may need mental health support can dial 9-8-8.
Farms.com has also compiled a list of mental health support resources.
And in Kansas, a wheat farmer used his field to send a special message to his wife.
Jessi Blasi, who farms in Pratt, used one wheat variety with red chaff, and another with white chaff, to celebrate his 20th anniversary with his wife Sarah.
He and Sarah flew over their fields in a plane, and that’s when she saw “Jessie + Sarah, 20 Years” spelled out in the wheat crop.
“That’s Jessi Blasi love,” Sarah told KBTX. “That’s farmer love right there.”