Iowa

Applications open for Century, Heritage farms in Iowa

Published

2 years ago

February 19, 2024

Applications open for Century, Heritage farms in Iowa

ROWLEY, Iowa (KCRG) – A program celebrating Iowa’s farmers is now accepting applications. One of the main criteria: a farm must have been in the same family for at least a century.

“There’s not many people that can say that they live in a house that their great-great-grandfather built,” said Jason Orr, a fifth-generation farmer from Rowley.

His farm has been recognized as a Century Farm, one owned by a family for 100 years.

“When I moved in here, it was something pretty special to my grandpa because this is where his mom grew up,” said Orr.

Century Farms have been recognized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship each year since 1976. In 2006, the program added the Heritage Farm award for those that make it to 150 years.

“When do we actually start to recognize the the 200 year farms? You know, so we’re not there yet. But that’s a conversation coming,” said Brent Johnson, President of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The Iowa Farm Bureau helped create the Century and Heritage Farm program. He said, since 1976, more than 21,000 Century Farms have been recognized.

As many as there have been over the years, the current number of family farms is smaller than it used to be.

A survey from Iowa State University looking at farms from 1982–2022 said there has been a shift away from sole ownership or joint tenancy to trusts and corporations.

“It has been decreasing. I mean…there’s certainly been sales and mergers and whatnot along the way,” said Johnson. “So I would say that’s true, to some degree.”

Time has changed Iowa’s farms, but Orr said the fact that these farms have endured so many changes is what makes them special.

“All in all, farming is pretty—it’s a humbling occupation,” said Orr. “And then to stand here and think about all the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone in to get us to this point…it’s pretty special.”

Applications are due before June 1. You can more details here.

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Iowa

The One Game That Will Define Iowa’s 2026 Season

Published

9 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The One Game That Will Define Iowa’s 2026 Season

When it comes to the Iowa Hawkeyes 2026 football season, it doesn’t get much bigger than Ohio State coming to Kinnick Stadium.

No one knows at this stage where the Buckeyes will be come Oct. 3, but Iowa has a chance to make an early impression against a team that is no stranger to winning the big one.

Iowa’s B1G schedule couldn’t get off to a worse start as they head to Michigan and then welcome the Buckeyes to Kinnick.

Hopefully for Iowa’s sake, their first three games against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa are enough to get them prepared. If not, things could get ugly.

ESPN Believes Ohio State is Iowa’s Biggest Opponent in 2026

The helmet of Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith sits on the sideline prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Michigan game will certainly be a test, but hosting the Buckeyes is a different animal. That gives the Hawkeyes an advantage like no other, and if there was ever a time to give OSU a run for their money, it’s in Iowa City on Oct. 3.

“The Hawkeyes haven’t faced Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium since 2017, when Nate Stanley threw five touchdowns as they stunned the Buckeyes 55-24. An early October win over Ohio State could propel Iowa into the Big Ten title and playoff conversations,” Jake Trotter wrote.

To put things into perspective, Indiana and Oregon were the other two teams that had the Buckeyes listed as their defining game in the 2026 season. Shockingly, Iowa was actually selected against a team, that being Minnesota. Seeing as that’s for the Floyd of Rosedale, it makes complete sense.

Iowa Can’t Let Regular Season Opportunities Go To Waste

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) throws a pass during warmups before a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions Oct. 18, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last year was seemingly the Hawkeyes’ first time to actually make the College Football Playoffs. They came up short as their losses to No. 16 Iowa State, No. 11 Indiana, No. 9 Oregon and No. 17 USC all added up. Sure, those were by a combined 15 points, but that doesn’t matter, as it’s bad enough that a three-loss team made the playoffs.

Iowa ended with a bang as they took down No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 34-27. Now, all eyes are on either Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown. One of those men will have a chance to make their first B1G start at the Big House in Michigan.

It doesn’t get any tougher than that, as Iowa is immediately putting their new QB into deep water. They’ll have three games prior to that to get up to speed, but other than that, it’s go time as OSU awaits after their trip to Michigan.

Don’t forget to bookmark Iowa Hawkeyes on SI for the latest news. exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!

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Iowa

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

Published

21 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

MANCHESTER, Iowa — The state of Iowa lost a titan of the prep coaching world this week. Former Kee High School baseball coach Gene Schultz died on Monday at the age of 80.

Schultz spent 45 seasons as the baseball coach at Kee, helping turn the program into an Iowa dynasty. He won 9 State championships (not counting 2 fall titles, which the IHSAA doesn’t recognize in the record books), and took the Hawks to 19 State tournaments, which is also the most in Iowa history.

His 1,754 wins are not only the most in Iowa history, but the most of any high school baseball coach in the country.

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Iowa

Judge calls state response to comments about Charlie Kirk ‘deeply troubling’

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Judge calls state response to comments about Charlie Kirk ‘deeply troubling’

“A licensing authority’s enforcement apparatus should not be mobilized in response to political pressure to suppress disfavored commentary on a public figure’s death — and this record raises serious questions about whether that is precisely what occurred here,” a federal judge wrote.

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