How Prairie Made Iowa

We wanted to send a quick note of appreciation for all of our listeners! Thank you so much for your support.Please be sure to write a review of this podcast (especially if you listen outside of Substack). And sign up for the Iowa Food System Coalition’s Local Food Challenge taking place this summer.Have you ever wondered why U.S. tax payers often pay farmers NOT to farm? In this episode, we frame that question a little differently: have you ever wondered why U.S. tax payers don’t pay more farmers to provide ecosystem services for the health of our landscapes?150 years ago, prairie got in the way of Iowa’s European settlers. In order to farm, they had to till it up. Now, many Iowans are advocating for us to restore as much of it as we can.In this episode, Beth dives into the “why” of prairies with one of Iowa’s “Prairie Farmers,” Nicholas Lirio of Hocksey Native Seed.VoicesNicolas Lirio—Hocksey Native Seed and the Prairie Farm PodcastResourcesHistory of the Conservation Reserve ProgramHouse Farm Bill Falls ShortEnvironmental Working Group—Conservation DatabaseMusic Geoff HarveyMonumeStay in the LoopStay connected to the latest in Iowa’s food system news. Subscribe to the Iowa Food System Coalition newsletter for timely news, action alerts, and event updates, all focused on supporting local farms and communities. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit attheiowafarmtable.substack.com