2019: Year in Review

December 23, 2019

By Joseph L. Murphy, Iowa Soybean Association

Our “Pictures of the Week” celebrate our favorite moments of 2019. As the calendar turns to a new year, it’s a special opportunity to reflect on the incredible people we’ve met, communities we visited and food we enjoyed this year.

Thank you for joining the Iowa Food & Family Project in exploring how food is grown around the state and meeting the farm families who make it happen; 24/7, 365 days a year. Enjoy these snapshots from 2019 and get ready for another incredible year, and decade, ahead!

At the Corner Station Cafe near Templeton patrons enjoy breakfast while catching up on the local news. Iowa is known for its small-town cafes and local eateries. Whether it is a place to grab a quick cup of coffee or a restaurant on main street they are a vital part of Iowa's identity. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Morgan's Corner Bar & Grill in Ottumwa was recognized as a Top 10 finalist in the 2018 Iowa’s Best Burger Contest sponsored by the Iowa Beef Council and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Sam Berry cross-country skis at Jester Park near Granger. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

John and Joan Maxwell check on their Jersey dairy cows at Cinnamon Ridge Farms. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Dutch letters and other sweet treats sit in the windowsill at Jaarsma’s Bakery in Pella. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Sausage is pulled out of the smoker at Ulrich’s Meat Market in Pella. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

The historic Niland's Cafe, Colo Motel and a retired filling station are at the intersection of the Lincoln Highway (New York to San Francisco) and Jefferson Highway (Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans) in Colo. Niland’s has been a staple in the area since the late 1920’s when Highway 30 (Lincoln Highway) was paved. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

The American flag flies beside the Madison County Courthouse in Winterset during the Fourth of July weekend. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Burnie, a member of the Beagle Brigade, checks luggage at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. His role is to prevent intentional or unintentional entry of harmful plant pests and animal diseases into the U.S. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

The University of Iowa baseball team warms up ahead of a summer game in Iowa City. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Rochelle and Kathleen Gilman jump on the Gator to do chores on their cattle farm near Stuart. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

RAGBRAI's Iowa AG Oasis offered up a wide range of food and fun - including goat yoga! Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Toni and Mackenzie Thiele jump on the four-wheeler on their family’s pig farm in Elma. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

A Ferris wheel ride reveals the beauty of the Jones County Fair at dusk. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Shon Clausen, Des Moines, gives his granddaughter Rylee a ride on his shoulders while they wait for a corn dog on during the last night of the Iowa State Fair. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Paul Yeager of Iowa Public Television prepares to launch a cow chip during the Cow Chip Throwing competition at the Iowa State Fair. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Aspen Fenton competes in the Iowa State Fair whistling contest at Pioneer Hall. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Governor Kim Reynolds leaves her mark on the Iowa Food & Family Project’s paint-by-number mural at the Iowa State Fair that showcases farming as Iowa’s masterpiece. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

A trail of dust blows through the ring as a boy tries his hand at the Wool Riders Only Mutton Bustin' competition at the Iowa State Fair. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Jonathan Wetter welcomes 40 food-minded consumers to his pig farm near Rinard during Expedition Farm Country. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Aaron Titterington demonstrates how cows are milked at Jones Family Dairy near Spencer during Expedition Farm Country. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

One of the youngest members of the Jones Family Dairy near Spencer interacts with a dairy cow during Expedition Farm Country. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

In Auburn, curious consumers climb aboard Jeff Frank’s combine during Expedition Farm Country. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Henry Stephens (left) and Chuck McCrory, both from Crowley, Texas, share a laugh after preparing their award-winning chili recipes. This weekend, about 300 chili aficionados will be pitting their best recipes against each other during the 53rd Annual World Champion Chili Cook-Off. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

The sun sets near Oxford. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Mary Kuster Shell, a food scientist and creator of Food Science Secrets blog, shares insights on food manufacturing during the Table Talk podcast. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

The Royster family picks apples at Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association

Ron Herring, facilities manager, performed routine maintenance on the clock tower of the Dallas County Courthouse in Adel. Photo credit: Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association