Working through the cold: There's cold weather, and then there is Iowa weather.

The yearly arctic cold has descended upon Iowa, enveloping the region in bone-chilling temperatures. As I write this, the thermometer registers a relatively mild 17 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, and the forecast offers little respite, predicting a high of only -5 degrees Fahrenheit. The frigid conditions have captured widespread attention, evidenced by the numerous social media posts detailing this extreme weather.

Despite the unrelenting cold, the local farms stand open and operational, a testament to the unwavering resilience of the community in confronting such formidable challenges. This icy blast also evoked memories of past bone-chilling days spent documenting farmers as they persevered through adverse weather. Their dedication and steadfast commitment to caring for their livestock shine brightly, mainly when most stay indoors, and businesses close their doors due to weather concerns.

As these social media posts circulate, they serve as poignant reminders of the enduring hard work and tireless dedication these individuals exhibit every day of the year.

Subzero temps impact Iowa Farms: With fresh snow on the ground and a steady polar wind blowing from the north, cattle contently fed on hay recently spread on the ground. Jim Koch, an Iowa Soybean Association member from Van Meter, worked with determination alongside his son Jeff while the subzero winter winds battered their faces. Jim Koch, now in his eighties, has seen weather like this many times during his farming career and that taught him how important food and water are to livestock on days like this. Continue reading here.

Deep freeze chores: I guess you could call it a "heat wave." After dealing with double-digit subzero temperatures for four days, you would think 8 degrees felt balmy.

But it was hard for Dan Hanrahan, a farmer from Winterset, to buy into that as he hit the door latch and opened the tractor cab door to start his daily chores. Even with a 20-degree temperature change, Hanrahan still braced for the rush of cold air that washed over his face and slowly penetrated the numerous layers of clothes he had on.  Continue reading here.

Moving day: If you are like me, a slight chill just made its way up your back, thinking about the word moving. There aren’t too many things in life that are more traumatic. You must pack all your possessions, leave a comfortable place, and lug everything into a new space with new challenges. I’ve been thinking about moving a lot lately. Two years ago, we packed up our home and moved the family 27.8 miles (I know the exact distance because it didn’t qualify for an IRS tax deduction) to a new home and town. I’m also preparing to help move my mom from my childhood home in Forest City to a new place in central Iowa. In both cases, moving brings with it planning and hard work. Continue reading here.

Polar Vortex: Bryan Reed worked in subzero temperatures to make sure his cattle were fed, had access to water, and were comfortable as cold air spilled from the North Pole, creating a record-setting polar vortex across the state. On Jan. 29 and 30 (2019), Reed and other area farmers spent long days covering farm necessities.

They had to battle the elements, but they also had to battle machinery. Reed said that with proper shelter, bedding, food, and water, the cattle with their long winter coats would do fine in the Arctic temperatures. The problem was making sure tractors would start, and diesel fuel wouldn't gel in the harsh conditions. That's why preparation for the wicked weather started days earlier. Reed began laying extra hay in sheltered valleys on his farm and providing extra hay just in case he couldn't make it back. Continue reading here.