This is strange to write, but I’m retiring after 17 years at the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and 15 years as editor of Spokesman. Soon I’ll be off to other pursuits, traveling, chasing grandkids and other activities.

As I move to that next phase, I want to thank everyone who has made being the editor of the Spokesman such an interesting and fulfilling job. And I especially want to thank Farm Bureau members.

During my career at Farm Bureau, I’ve been very fortunate to get to know Farm Bureau members from every part of the state. We’ve visited at Farm Bureau gatherings, on lobbying trips in Des Moines or Washington, during market study trips around the globe and, best of all, at kitchen tables and farm shops. During those visits, I’ve always been impressed by the generosity of members with their time, information and honesty. 

Farm Bureau members’ willingness...