THE IOWA DISH
Welcome to The Iowa Dish, an e-newsletter from the Iowa Farm Bureau. Our goal is to spark a conversation about how our food is grown and raised. We’ll introduce you to the Iowa farmers who work each day to provide safe, nutritious foods for our families. Plus, we will serve up quick bites on food safety, nutrition and foodie trends. And of course, we’ll share some of our favorite in-season recipes. We look forward to dishin’ with you about Iowa food and farming.
Recipes
4/6/2021
Not to be overly sappy, but there is something awe-inspiring about this time of year, when Iowa farmers take to the fields to plant the first seeds of spring.
4/6/2021
If you’re a parent who knows all too well how kids seem to grow out of their clothes overnight, you understand the importance of choosing foods that pack the most nutrition to help kids grow their minds and bodies.
4/6/2021
We’re all getting used to wearing face masks while out of the house and trying our best to social distance, because we want to keep our families and communities safe during the pandemic.
4/6/2021
Iowa farmers are making steady progress in planting more cover crops, reducing tillage, testing soil and adopting other practices that improve water quality and reduce soil loss.
4/6/2021
Learn how Iowa farmers are working together and adopting innovative farming practices to achieve Iowa’s water quality goals.
4/6/2021
While grocery shopping, you likely have noticed a few “antibiotic-free” or “raised without antibiotics” labels on poultry or meat in the grocery store.
2/2/2021
Recently, I was intrigued to learn about the 2020 winners of the Beazley Designs of the Year, considered the Oscars of the design world.
2/2/2021
If you’re driving along Iowa’s highways and have a question or maybe a concern about something you see on a farm while you are out and about, now you can reach out to an expert.
2/2/2021
A low, soggy patch in one of Ritch Berkland’s fields will soon be transformed into a shallow wetland growing a wide diversity of native grasses.
2/2/2021
As a mom of a 2-year-old and a newborn, I recognize the importance diet plays in my children’s development.
2/2/2021
With meat alternatives and other substitutes readily available at the grocery store, it can be confusing to determine what is healthy and what may be less so. Meat, however, is a healthy part of a balanced diet.
2/2/2021
Iowa livestock farmers work day and night to make sure cattle and other farm animals are comfortable and well taken care of during the winter months.
12/3/2020
If there’s anything I’ve gained in 2020, it’s a greater appreciation for everyone – from farmers to food handlers to grocery store employees
12/2/2020
As a mom, Kellie Blair says she understands why consumers today are more focused on sustainability and how their food choices impact our climate and the environment.
12/2/2020
The holiday dinner table will likely look a lot different this season because of the pandemic.
12/2/2020
A strong majority of Iowa grocery shoppers see real meat and dairy as healthy food options and say they would increase their consumption of animal proteins to strengthen their immune systems, according to the latest Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index®.
12/2/2020
Milk is nature's original sports drink, providing the protein and vitamins your body needs. And thanks to advanced animal care and nutrition, cows are producing milk more efficiently than ever before!
12/2/2020
U.S. cattle farmers continue to make progress in improving sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.
10/2/2020
I recently read a joke online about how when the temperatures dip below 70 degrees for the first time in the fall, then Iowans rush home to cook homemade chili.
10/2/2020
We’re all cooking more at home this fall, and you can find some great money-saving deals at the meat counter right now to make your favorite comfort food dishes for cozy family meals.
10/2/2020
It doesn’t get much better than stopping for a barbecue pork sandwich and a cold brew on a crisp fall day, while you’re on a drive to see the fall colors or to a football game.
10/2/2020
Mark Jackson of Mahaska County was an early adopter of conservation practices to protect soil and water on his farm.
10/2/2020
In uncertain times, America's farmers are persevering in growing the food, fuel, and fiber we need, and these former Hawkeyes want to share their appreciation.
10/2/2020
A healthy diet — including fruits and vegetables, dairy and protein-rich meat and poultry — plays a vital role in helping our immune system work like it should, protecting our bodies from viruses and other germs that can make us sick, explains Rochelle Gilman, a registered dietitian with the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
10/2/2020
From Rochelle Gilman, registered dietitian, Iowa Beef Industry Council
8/6/2020
If there’s one thing I learned over these past historic months, it’s that we need to support the local businesses that we missed so much when they shut down.
8/6/2020
Iowa growers and farmers markets are committed to providing safe, nutritious foods.
8/6/2020
We’re all focused on staying healthy these days. Experts say a nutritious diet – including fruits and vegetables, dairy and protein-rich meat and poultry - plays a vital role in helping our immune system work like it should, protecting our bodies from viruses and other germs that can make us sick.
8/6/2020
A recently released progress report on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) shows that Iowa farmers’ initiative and hard work has produced significant gains in water quality in the seven years since the strategy was adopted.
8/6/2020
Iowa's farmers have reduced phosphorus loss by 22%. Now they're using the same approach (involving innovation and collaboration) for the state's nitrate goals.
8/6/2020
Research has shown that organic foods are just as safe and nutritious as conventionally grown foods
7/17/2020
Cows burp (and fart) methane gas. But U.S. cow herds contribute very little to global warming, and cutting beef would only reduce global GHG emissions by 0.36%.
6/2/2020
Like many of you, I’m planning to spend more time at home this summer. One of the unexpected benefits is that I’m getting to know my neighbors and community better.
6/2/2020
We all are more focused on our health right now so we can continue to care for our families, neighbors and communities.
6/2/2020
A new wetland on Denny Lyle’s farm is expected to both solve an ongoing agronomic problem and produce long-term water quality benefits for decades to come. That’s exactly what the Keokuk County farmer was aiming for.
6/2/2020
The COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in an increase in food insecure Iowans across the state.
6/2/2020
In uncertain times, America's farmers are persevering in growing the food, fuel, and fiber we need, and these former Hawkeyes want to share their appreciation.
6/2/2020
To make your grocery shopping trip as efficient as possible, take some time to plan ahead, says Ruth Litchfield, professor of food science and human nutrition at Iowa State University.
5/8/2020
No question, our lives and routines have changed within the span of a few weeks, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than how we choose to fill our grocery carts, fridges and pantries.
4/2/2020
No question, our lives and routines have changed within the span of a few weeks, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than how we choose to fill our grocery carts, fridges and pantries.
4/2/2020
When we choose to buy real meat and poultry for our dinner table, we trust that farmers are doing whatever they can to ensure food safety and provide the best possible care for farm animals.
4/2/2020
Maybe you’ve seen or heard about wellness centers that offer food sensitivity tests, which claim to diagnosis if your body is intolerant to certain foods, such as dairy or gluten.
4/2/2020
Iowa's farmers have reduced phosphorus loss by 22%. Now they're using the same approach (involving innovation and collaboration) for the state's nitrate goals.
4/2/2020
If it seems like more people – your son, your granddaughter, the neighbor kid down the block – have a food allergy, it isn’t your imagination.
4/2/2020
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray 12, 4-oz. ramekins (or use a muffin tin*) with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2/13/2020
USDA testing ensures that meat and poultry are free of antibiotic residue, and farmers cannot use medically important antibiotics to "fatten" livestock.
1/30/2020
Now that football season is over, I’m always fascinated to discover what professional athletes do in the off-season
1/30/2020
Iowa farmers, working with government agencies, ag retailers, Iowa State University (ISU) and others, have over time made significant strides in reducing the amount of phosphorus leaving fields and entering the state’s surface water.
1/30/2020
Access to food developed through genetic modification is an urgent humanitarian issue, and those who oppose GMOs are guilty of crimes against humanity.
1/30/2020
Livestock can convert inedible plant waste like corn stalk residue and soy hulls into protein-rich food for humans like meat and dairy through upcycling.
1/30/2020
Maybe you’ve read or heard that 70% to 80% of the antibiotics sold in our country are given to farm animals. It’s a percentage that is often repeated by the media and by activist groups.
1/30/2020
From Rochelle Gilman, registered dietitian, Iowa Beef Industry Council
12/10/2019
A few days ago, I was chatting with a friend about our holiday plans. She told me that for Thanksgiving, everyone in her family was asked to bring a favorite holiday dish to share.
12/10/2019
If you have considered cutting back on meat in your diet because of health concerns, now there’s good news for those of us who enjoy nutritious, protein-rich meat.
12/10/2019
You can find it in gummy candies, bottled water, cosmetics and even beer. Many Iowa farmers are interested in growing it.
12/10/2019
When we look back at the most impactful events of 2019, we can’t forget the historic, widespread flooding along the Missouri River in western Iowa and Nebraska this spring.
12/10/2019
Did you know that updating Iowa's 100-year-old drainage system helps reduce fertilizer usage and allows crops to better absorb nutrients? When that water is channeled through new conservation structures, it leads to improved water quality for everyone.
12/10/2019
Research doesn’t support claims that eliminating dairy, gluten, sugar or other foods can benefit a child’s behavior, says Dr. Ruth MacDonald, chair of the department of food science and human nutrition at Iowa State University.
10/7/2019
One of my daughter’s favorite books to read before bedtime is titled “The Happy Book and Other Feelings.” There’s a character in the book named Wet Hen, who wears a shower cap and bath towel, and she’s always angry about being soaking wet.
10/7/2019
Get ready for a food safety pop quiz: Let’s say you’re planning to make chicken for dinner tonight.
10/7/2019
One of the biggest challenges for busy parents is trying to encourage kids to choose healthy, nutritious foods.
10/7/2019
For the sixth consecutive year, the Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index® finds that Iowans have a strong affinity for meat and dairy products with more than nine in 10 (99 percent) saying their households eat meat, eggs or dairy at least weekly.
10/7/2019
2019 Conservation Farmer of the Year Jarad Weber is deeply invested in his land. It's his livelihood, and he wants to keep the soil where it belongs.
10/7/2019
Meat and dairy consumption isn’t linked to the rise in childhood obesity, says Ruth MacDonald with Iowa State University’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.
10/7/2019
From the Iowa Pork Producers Association (www.iowapork.org)
8/1/2019
It’s hard to believe we’re only a few days away from the start of the Iowa State Fair, football season and the first day of school.
8/1/2019
If you’re like most Iowans, you don’t leave the grocery store without a gallon of milk in your cart.
8/1/2019
For many busy families, a favorite on-the-go healthy breakfast is whole grain cereal.
8/1/2019
The Iowa State Fair is the place to feed our love of high-quality, Iowa-raised meats and to recognize the Iowa farm families who work year-round to provide nutritious, safe and protein-rich food for all.
8/1/2019
We love our crops in Iowa; we're number one in corn and soybeans, after all. But we're also a top meat-producing state, and that's good for the economy and consumers. We explore why meat is an essential part of your diet.
8/1/2019
If reducing your exposure to trace amounts of pesticides is important to you, then organic foods may be an option, says Joel Coats, a professor of entomology and expert on toxicology at Iowa State University.
5/28/2019
I know it’s officially summertime when RVs roll through town on their way to Saylorville Lake; cyclists return to the nearby High Trestle Trail; and our neighborhood ice cream shop, the Filling Station in Madrid, opens for the season.
5/28/2019
There’s nothing better in the summer than a Prime steak or an all-beef burger on the grill.
5/28/2019
Enjoying the view from the indoor patio at the Oskaloosa Public Golf Course, Wood Iron Grille diners bask in the atmosphere and the culinary experience, including Iowa’s 2019 Best Burger.
5/28/2019
A gentle breeze caresses a warm summer night. The sky fills with pigment-rich hues as the sun sets over the Iowa cornfield. The crack of a bat against a ball echoes through the prairie stillness.
5/28/2019
From cover crops to terraces, Iowa farmers use many techniques to protect the water and soil, and Iowa is the only state to thoroughly track those practices.
5/28/2019
Grass-fed cattle have higher methane emissions than cattle fed on grain or corn, but most cattle only eat corn or grain in the last few weeks before market.
5/28/2019
Recipe from Wisconsin Cheese, www.wisconsincheese.com
4/2/2019
Like many Iowans, I’m looking forward to spending more time outside as the weather warms up this spring. Most days, you can find me either walking or biking on the High Trestle Trail in central Iowa.
4/2/2019
As if nutrition advice isn’t confusing enough, there’s a new dietary trend that focuses more on the health of our planet than on the health of our bodies.
4/2/2019
One of Iowans’ favorite signs of spring, iconic monarch butterfly, is also showing early signs of growth and recovery.
4/2/2019
Just like how we need to fuel up our cars with gas and our bodies with caffeine before hitting the road, monarch butterflies need a place to refuel before embarking on their cross-continent journey.
4/2/2019
Fruits and veggies are important, but if you skip out on meat you're missing essential amino acids and not getting complete, high-quality protein in your diet.
2/5/2019
What’s your favorite treat to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Sure, you could give your sweetheart flowers, chocolate-covered strawberries or, better yet, a spring break trip to Hawaii. (We can all dream about tropical weather, right?)
2/5/2019
If you’ve been watching what you eat over worries about cholesterol and heart health, you don’t have to only eat boneless, skinless chicken breast, nutrition experts say.
2/5/2019
If you’ve struggled with a sinus infection or bronchitis this cold and flu season, then you may have gone to the doctor and received a prescription for antibiotics so you can feel better.
2/5/2019
A small-town grocery store is more than a place to buy food. It’s where people gather, share the news of the day and revel in being part of a community.
2/5/2019
Learn more about the Iowa Farm Animal Care Coalition, which was created to answer the questions farmers and consumers have about livestock care.
2/5/2019
When shopping at the meat counter, you might notice some meat and poultry products labeled “antibiotic-free” or “raised without antibiotics.”
11/30/2018
I must admit, I caught the holiday spirit a little early this year. I started listening to Christmas music the morning after Halloween, and my freezer is filling up with holiday cookies I’m baking ahead of time.
11/30/2018
If you’re hosting a holiday dinner this year, or if you’re bringing a favorite side dish to the festivities, it is only natural to want the meal to turn out as near to perfect as possible.