Warm Welcomes – Summer 2026

Welcome to Summer!

Summer is a season for making memories—gathering with family, enjoying long days and spending more time outdoors. On Iowa’s family farms, summer is also one of the busiest times of the year. Crops are growing, livestock are being cared for and every day brings new opportunities and challenges.

While no two farm families are exactly alike, they all share something in common: a commitment to caring for the land, their animals and each other. Many farms have been passed down through generations, with grandparents, parents and kids all playing a role in producing the food, feed, fuel and fiber we rely on every day. Did you know in Iowa 97% of farms are family owned?

In this edition of Warm Welcomes from the Farm, we’re celebrating the families behind Iowa agriculture. We hope these stories give you a closer look into the farm families who make our state an agriculture powerhouse! 

Iowa Nice Guy Video: Family Farming

Family farms are the backbone of Iowa agriculture, with generations working side by side to grow the food, feed, fuel and fiber we all depend on. Watch as the Iowa Nice Guy explores what makes family farms so special and why they’re an important part of our communities.

Learn more about Iowa farm families here.

Recipes

Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, packing a picnic or simply looking for an easy meal idea, these recipes are sure to add a little flavor to your summer. Give one a try and enjoy a delicious corn-fed treat!

Hungry for more corn-inspired meals? Visit our website to find even more ways to fuel your day with corn-fed protein!

Feature Story

Family farms are where traditions are passed down, values are learned and a passion for agriculture often is created. Discover how growing up on her family’s farm in north central Iowa shaped Lilian McCart (Swanson) into the advocate and agricultural leader she is today. Read her story below.

“Most people say to my dad, ‘Well… you don’t have any sons to take over your operation,’ and my dad replies, ‘My daughters can do the same thing any man can do.’”

Lilian was born and raised in Galt, a rural town in north central Iowa, where the farming genes run deep; just take a look at the Swanson family if you don’t believe us! For Lilian, farming has been and always will be one her biggest passions in life. Following in her father’s footsteps, who followed in his father’s footsteps, Lilian has continued the family tradition of working in the agricultural industry.

As a child, Lilian enjoyed helping her dad, Stu, with farm chores. Where many kids might’ve seen tiring work, Lilian saw an opportunity to bond with her father. Whether it was working with pigs, working in the fields or feeding the livestock, the fun was found in completing these daily tasks together as a family with her parents and three sisters. Each member of the family seemed to find their own niche when it came to farm chores, Lilian’s being the livestock. Lilian credits her parents for always holding her and her sisters to high expectations and for teaching the four of them the value of hard work from such a young age.

Upon graduating from high school, Lilian made the decision to attend Iowa State University, following in the footsteps of her father and two older sisters as an Agricultural Business major, but she didn’t stop there. During her time at Iowa State, Lilian added a second degree in International Agriculture among her extracurricular involvement in the Iowa State Agricultural Business Club, the ISU Corn Club, and as a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Collegiate Advisory Team. Not only did being part of these groups give Lilian more insight and knowledge on numerous realms of agriculture, but it also was a large part of forming her leadership skills as a woman in agriculture. It was because of these experiences that Lilian was able to gain the confidence to share her story, let others hear her voice and become an advocate for the agriculture industry.

Lilian remains invested in educating people about where their food comes from and empowering people to become more informed about what farmers do daily. General misconceptions about farmers and farming frustrate Lilian and farmers alike, but she’s quick to point out that farmers have the consumer’s best interest in mind and that they wouldn’t put a chemical on their crop, or feed something to their livestock, that they wouldn’t feed to their own family.

“Farming isn’t a 9-5 job. Farming is 24/7, 365 days a year. Farmers are out here caring for their livestock and their land, to feed their families and the general public,” she said. For Lilian, the future of farming is extremely bright. She’s excited to continue learning and growing in every possible way to be the best, most informed farmer possible..

Family Fun

Cool Off with Some Coloring. During the hot summer days, cool off with some fun coloring! Celebrate the families behind Iowa agriculture with this fun coloring sheet. Download, print and let your creativity grow! Did you know that crayons are made with ingredients derived from corn, making this activity another way Iowa’s favorite crop shows up in everyday life.

Find additional coloring sheets here.