By: Mike N.

Mike N. — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 08:01:52 +0000

The Iowa Local Produce and Protein (LPP) Program seems like a good idea, but only offering it for one year is just another example of the state merely paying lip service to anything not ‘big Ag.’ Clearly it would take at least a couple of years for interested farmers to recognize the existence of the program and then grow products for that market. Especially if tree fruits and nuts are to be included.
Another issue not mentioned in the article is the risk of herbicide drift destroying a ‘non conventional’ crop. With dicamba drift becoming more prevalent every year, it may be difficult to find a location in the state that would be unaffected.
I own a chestnut and pawpaw orchard and have been hit by herbicide drift for the past three years. And as the article states, there is really no assistance for farms like mine. While the row crop farms around me rake in subsidies, all the tree planting and other expenses on my farm have been self funded.

Comments on: Where Corn and Soybeans are King, Some Farmers See ‘Unconventional’ Future

By: Mike N.