For decades, conversations about agriculture in Iowa have centered on what’s broken: water quality, consolidation, chemicals, ultra-processed food. But rarely do they lead to the bigger question: what would a better system actually look like? For years, the answer from policymakers has been voluntary conservation programs—plant more cover crops, add buffer strips, cut tillage. Those practices help, but they leave the root problem untouched. Even if every farmer adopted them, our landscape would still be engineered into sameness.
This episode dives into a different vision. Host Beth Hoffman explores the Diverse Corn Belt Project, a five-year, multi-disciplinary research effort exploring opportunities beyond corn and soybeans and investigating the real-world impacts of diversified farming systems. With more than 30 research partners, DCB is seeking concrete options for diversification and working to understand the agronomic, economic, social, infrastructure, and policy changes that could make them viable.
Alongside project manager Emily Deakyne and farmers already charting their own alternatives, we consider what it might mean to grow food and why that shift matters for Iowa’s soil, water, and people. We also hear from:
Brian Doherty, regenerative ag consultant and farmer from Understanding Ag, on leaving conventional dairying behind.
Jordan Hansen, Hansen Dairy, on how processing their own cheese, butter, and ice cream has sustained a family business for decades.
Tom Wall & Kathy Dice, Red Fern Farm, on making a good living from pawpaws, chestnuts, and sheep on just 10 acres.
Together, their stories sketch a future where Iowa agriculture isn’t just corn and beans, but a thriving mosaic of food, farmers, and communities. Because when Iowa grows food, food grows Iowa.
Why it matters:
The 2024 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll shows that while most farmers feel their family quality of life has held steady, 62% believe the overall economic prospects for Iowa farmers will get worse in the next five years. Stress levels are rising too — nearly half of farmers now report “medium” personal stress, up sharply since 2022. Yet, there’s openness to change: one-third of farmers said having conservation professionals embedded in local ag retailers is a “good idea,” and almost half said “maybe”. Farmers know the current path isn’t sustainable, and many are looking for new options. Diversification is a practical response to real pressures on Iowa farms and communities.
Resources & Links:
Iowa Food System Coalition – Setting the Table for All Iowans
What does Iowa water quality look like after 10 years with the Nutrient Reduction Strategy? (IPR, 2023)
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy: Ten Years and No Progress (Iowa Environmental Council,
🎧 Produced by the Iowa Food System Coalition. Edited by Mallory DeVries.
