Joel McCartan

If you ever want to understand Iowa farmers, here’s the first rule: farming isn’t just what they do—it’s who they are. In Iowa, farming is less of a job and more of a lifelong relationship with land, weather, machinery, and a deep belief that this year’s crop will be better than last year’s… despite all evidence from last year. Farming in Iowa Is a Personality Trait In Iowa, you don’t ask someone if they farm. You ask what they farm and how the crops look. This is considered polite conversation. Corn and soybeans aren’t just crops—they’re basically family members. Farmers talk about them like proud parents: “They’re coming along nice.” “They struggled a bit early on.” “We don’t talk about that hailstorm.” If you say, “It’s just corn,” you will be silently judged for the rest of your life. Weather Is a Full-Time Obsession Iowa farmers don’t just check the weather. They study it. Radar apps are opened more frequently than social media. A 10% chance of rain can spark a 45-minute discussion. Farmers can tell you: Exactly how much rain fell How much rain should have fallen Why the rain fell everywhere except their field Weather determines mood, schedule, sleep, and sometimes personality. A good rain? Smiles. A dry spell? Long stares into the distance. Farming Is Hard Work (And They’re Proud of It) Farming in Iowa means long days, early mornings, late nights, and equipment that breaks precisely when you don’t have time for it. But farmers wouldn’t trade it. There’s pride in: Fixing something with baling wire and hope Working until the job is done, not until the clock says so Knowing that food doesn’t magically appear at the grocery store They take farming seriously because people depend on it—even if those people never think about where their cornflakes came from. The Land Matters. A Lot. To an Iowa farmer, land isn’t just acreage—it’s history. It’s family stories, passed-down fields, and memories measured in planting seasons instead of years. They know every hill, every wet spot, and every corner that never yields quite as well but still gets planted anyway. Farming is important because it connects them to something bigger than themselves: feeding people, caring for the soil, and leaving the land better than they found it. Also, yes, they can tell if someone else has been driving in their field. Instantly. Farming Is a Mix of Tradition and Technology Despite the stereotype, Iowa farmers are incredibly tech-savvy. GPS-guided tractors, yield maps, and data analysis are all part of modern farming. Still, they trust experience just as much as technology. If the computer says one thing but “it doesn’t feel right,” the computer loses. Because farming teaches you that nature always has the final vote. Why Farming Is So Important to Iowa Farmers Farming matters because: It feeds families—locally and globally It supports communities and small towns It connects generations It gives purpose, pride, and a reason to wake up before sunrise For Iowa farmers, farming isn’t just about crops. It’s about responsibility. About taking care of the land today so it can take care of people tomorrow. In Conclusion: Respect the Dirt Iowa farmers work hard, worry a lot, and care deeply about what they do. They know farming isn’t easy—but it’s necessary. And they’re proud to be the ones doing it. So the next time you drive past a field of corn, remember: that’s not “just a field.” That’s someone’s livelihood, legacy, and labor—plus a whole lot of weather-related stress.   And if you see a farmer staring at the sky? Don’t interrupt. They’re in a very important meeting. 

Land auctions can be exciting. People waving paddles. Nervous glances. Someone whispering, “Do I really need this much dirt?” But behind the scenes, every land auction has a little secret weapon: the reserve price. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—and no, it’s not just there to make you sweat. 1. What Is a Reserve Price, Anyway? A reserve price is basically the seller saying: “I love my land. I really do. But not THAT much.” It’s the minimum price they’re willing to accept. If bidding doesn’t reach it, the land doesn’t sell. Think of it as the land’s dignity—it’s not going to just walk out with anyone waving money around. 2. Without a Reserve Price, Chaos Ensues Imagine a land auction with no reserve. First bid: $100. Second bid: $150. Third bid: a very optimistic offer involving snack food. Okay, maybe not that extreme—but land deserves respect, and reserve prices make sure buyers don’t get any wild ideas. 3. The Reserve Price Protects Everyone Sellers don’t want to sell for pennies, buyers don’t want to overpay, and the land… well, it wants a proper ceremony. Reserve prices keep the land from selling too cheaply, ensure buyers take the process seriously, and prevent seller’s remorse after a low-ball sale. Basically, it’s the velvet rope at the VIP section of the dirt world. 4. It Adds a Little Drama Let’s be honest: part of the fun of land auctions is the suspense. The auctioneer calls out $20,000. The crowd murmurs. Then $25,000—and the room gasps. And then… the reserve is revealed if it’s never met. Suddenly the tension skyrockets. Did someone just get a deal, or was it all a tease? Without reserve prices, auctions would just be “whoever shouted first wins.” Boring. Final Verdict: Reserve Prices Are for Everyone Yes, reserve prices can be frustrating. Yes, they make auctions suspenseful. But mostly? They make sense. They protect sellers, they keep buyers honest, and they make sure land doesn’t end up in a bargain-basement transaction it didn’t deserve. So next time you see a reserve price at a land auction, just remember: it’s not mean. It’s dignity. It’s drama. It’s the land saying, “I know what I’m worth. Don’t embarrass me.”