Iowa
Places to visit, activities, more
The Des Moines Register has gathered a number of the greatest 2022 trip concepts, free actions, issues to see and enjoyable issues to do in Des Moines and round Iowa this summer season.
There are many enjoyable issues to do with the household from Adventureland to Clean Park Zoo. Or you possibly can have some enjoyable discovering the outside with lovely parks to see, gorgeous gardens, bridges to see, cool caves and methods to chill off within the water. Already on a highway journey? Cease by these novelty issues to see in your manner.
When you’re searching for one thing much less nature-involved, there’s meals and drinks available throughout Iowa, to not point out some good buying. There’s tons of festivals, live shows and methods to get related with arts, tradition and even historical past.
We did not neglect about our sports activities fanatics, both, with the Discipline of Goals baseball sport taking the highlight together with extra sporting occasions.
Have a look:
Caves to discover
Alongside six miles of trails see the pure bridge, balanced rock and Dancehall Cave. Lengthen your keep by reserving a tenting spot on the newly upgraded campground.
Take an underground boat tour by Spook Collapse McGregor. Your information will train you concerning the historical past of the limestone cave.
Cool bridges to cross
A 3,000-foot-long and 15-foot-wide bridge connects Council Bluffs to Omaha throughout the Missouri River. Take pleasure in views of the river and Omaha whereas strolling, operating or bicycling.
Benefit from the sculpture on the bridge in addition to the views of the Des Moines River valley as you bike or stroll the half-mile of path that’s 13 tales excessive. Positioned west of Madrid, this bridge is a magnificence by day or at evening, when it’s lit a shiny neon blue.
5. I-74 Pedestrian Path
The 1-74 Bridge spanning the Mississippi River between Bettendorf and Moline now has a pedestrian path connecting the 2 cities. Cease on the 10-foot oculus for a view of the mighty Mississippi or test it out at evening when uplighting supplies an ideal picture opp.
Beautiful gardens
Consisting of 17 acres in Ames, plan sufficient time in your go to to discover all 26 backyard areas and the butterfly wing.
Filled with pure magnificence, benefit from the crops each contained in the conservatory and within the out of doors gardens. Seize a chew to eat at Trellis Cafe after strolling the grounds.
Uncover Iowa’s nice open air
Positioned exterior of Prairie Metropolis, the wildlife refuge has strolling and biking trails winding by the pure Iowa habitat and a driving tour the place it’s possible you’ll spot bison and elk.
9. Cumming Faucet journey
The Cumming Faucet is 10 miles south of Des Moines on the Nice Western Bike Path and is a well-liked journey for bicyclists. Comply with their Fb web page to search out out when they are going to have meals out there for buy.
Go tenting and discover the Higher Iowa River by canoe or kayak to expertise the fantastic thing about the bluffs, cliffs, eagles and different wildlife close to Cresco.
11. Go to the best spot in Iowa
Hawkeye Level in Osceola County is Iowa’s highest level at 1,670 ft above sea degree. Take within the views from the commentary deck or wander by the historic farming shows.
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12. Decorah’s Trout Run Path
Bike, stroll or run alongside the Trout Run Path to see the sights in Decorah. Cease by the Decorah Fish Hatchery and benefit from the artwork alongside the path.
This recreation middle south of Dubuque is on 1,437 acres of wooded and prairie land. Earlier than heading out for a hike cease to go to the displays on the EB Lyons Interpretive Heart.
Spend a day on the Loess Hills Lavender Farm in Missouri Valley throughout Lavender Inventory, July 16-17. There will likely be music, distributors and craft courses and lavender you’ll be able to choose to make your individual bouquet.
Acquire fossils from the time when Iowa was an ocean or hike by native prairie throughout your go to to the Fossil and Prairie Park Protect in Rockford.
Positioned in Harpers Ferry, there are greater than 200 identified prehistoric mounds. Take a guided tour with a park ranger to study extra about these Native American-made mounds.
Fairly parks
See spectacular views of the Mississippi River, benefit from the butterfly backyard and search for bald eagles when you get pleasure from one of many park’s trails in Bellevue.
Study wetlands, prairies, woodlands and the habitat of Iowa within the interactive displays. Be certain and drive by the go to the Elk and Bison Instructional Plaza throughout your go to to Granger.
Hike or view the elk year-round at this park in Audubon County. From Memorial Day by September you can even go to the museum buildings to study concerning the settlement of the realm.
Convey your individual water bottle and replenish from the artesian nicely at Spring Park in Osage. You too can discover the two-mile path, let youngsters play on the playground or keep at one of many primitive tenting websites.
Go to the lilac arboretum at this Des Moines park through the few weeks the flowers are in bloom (normally in early Might). Whereas there, take the youngsters to Ashley Okland Star Playground or play a spherical of disc golf.
Enjoyable on the water
Positioned on Huge Spirit Lake in Orleans, Ainsworth-Orleans Seaside is a two-acre park with an extended sand seashore, boat ramp, dock and playground. When you’re there you can even go to the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery.
Go for a leisurely stroll across the lake, lease a paddleboat or take a swim on the seashore at this park situated simply south of downtown Des Moines.
Go whitewater kayaking at Riverfront Park in Charles Metropolis. The course consists of three water options and is three-quarter of a mile lengthy.
See the one water-ski present crew in Iowa that performs on the Mississippi River. Exhibits are free, family-friendly and are held on various dates from June by August in Bellevue.
26. Go crusing
Hire a pontoon boat on considered one of Iowa’s 34 pure lakes and luxuriate in a day on the water. Fish, loosen up and take within the surroundings and don’t neglect your sunscreen. The state’s deepest lakes, the Iowa Nice Lakes, embody Huge Spirit Lake, West Okoboji and East Okoboji that mix for 86 miles of shoreline.
27. Splash at a water park
Many cities in Iowa have their very own out of doors aquatic parks with waterslides, lazy rivers and extra. Within the Des Moines space, check out the aquatic parks in Altoona, Ankeny, Clive or West Des Moines.
28. Tour the Mississippi River by boat
Take a day journey on the biggest non-gaming riverboat and benefit from the Mississippi River from LeClaire to Dubuque with Celebration River Cruises.
29. Make it a weekend in Okoboji
The Iowa Nice Lakes present leisure for everybody. Spend time on the water boating, parasailing, water snowboarding or fishing. When you favor to remain on land, you’ll be able to benefit from the buying, golf and museums within the space.
Extra:Okoboji for newbies: The place to remain, eat and mess around Iowa’s Nice Lakes
30. Float down the Iowa River
Go tubing down the Iowa River (most floats final three to 5 hours) at Iowa Rock-n-Row Adventures, then loosen up on the campsite for the evening in Eldora.
31. Go fishing
Get your fishing license and loosen up alongside the shores of an Iowa lake or pond. Strive Rock Creek State Park in Kellogg, Lake Anita State Park in Anita or Lake MacBride State Park in Solon.
Benefit from the seashore, playground or go fishing off the pier at this West Des Moines park.
Household enjoyable
Take pleasure in the fantastic thing about the Lake Okoboji and the thrills of the amusement park rides at Arnolds Park. Take a journey on the Legend Curler Coaster, the nation’s seventh-oldest coaster.
34. Discover enjoyable and video games at Smash Park
Eat, drink and play at Smash Park in West Des Moines. Benefit from the arcade or play some pickle ball, bocce ball or shuffleboard on the patio.
See giraffes, rhinoceros, lions, tigers and extra at Des Moines’ zoo. By means of Might 30 you’ll be able to take a look at the Wild Lights Competition that includes 40 massive illuminated lanterns that function endangered animals and legendary creatures.
36. See Iowa by practice
Select from quite a lot of excursions in Boone through Scenic Valley Railroad together with a primary tour, dinner, lunch or picnic practice and benefit from the surroundings when you take a journey on the rails. The 2022 season begins Memorial Day weekend.
37. Go digital
When it’s too scorching to be exterior, cool off with bowling, laser tag, digital actuality experiences and video video games at Nice Escape in Nice Hill. Seize a chew to eat and a craft beer when you’re there at Social-Eats & Crafts.
38. See films open air
That includes two screens, take your choose of double options at this Superior 71 Drive-In Theater, the drive-in movie show in Spirit Lake.
Trip the curler coasters at Adventureland (or the teacups if that’s extra your type) then head to Journey Bay Water Park (included with common admission) and funky off within the wave pool or take a number of journeys down the waterslides. This season options 9 new rides.
Extra:Adventureland opens underneath new possession. What amusement park followers ought to learn about 2022 season
40. Discover enchantment within the Amana Colonies
Be taught concerning the historical past of the seven villages that make up the Amana Colonies on the Amana Heritage Society to search out out extra concerning the space initially settled by German immigrants in 1855, and go to the Amana Woolen Mill, Millstream Brewing Co., a number of wineries or the Amana Meat Store & Smokehouse.
41. Really feel the necessity for velocity on the Marshalltown Speedway
Spend a Friday evening having fun with dust monitor racing in Marshalltown. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and races begin at 7:30 p.m.
A part of the Grout Museum District in Waterloo, the Imaginarium is an interactive science middle with three flooring of displays.
43. Take a journey on the Heritage Carousel of Des Moines
Opening on Might 28 for the 2022 season, take a journey on the Heritage Carousel of Des Moines. After your journey, go to the Union Park playground.
Historical past buffs
44. Buddy Holly crash web site and Surf Ballroom and Museum
Get a music historical past lesson on the Surf Ballroom and Museum in Clear Lake, then make the quick drive north of city to the farm area the place Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “the Huge Bopper” Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson had been killed in a aircraft crash in 1959.
45. Danish villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton
Go to the 2 largest Danish settlements in america. See a sculpture of the “Little Mermaid,” an genuine windmill from Norre Snede, Denmark, and study concerning the tradition on the Museum of Danish America.
Be taught what life was like on a 1700 Ioway American Indian farm, 1850 pioneer farm and 1900 horse-powered farm. Stroll by the city of Walnut Hill (set in 1876) and go to the overall retailer, blacksmith and the milliner. Discover it in Urbandale.
Positioned in Greenfield, the museum showcases the historical past of flight in Iowa and guests can get pleasure from wanting on the classic plane on show.
See how farming has modified by the years and study concerning the historical past of tractors. The museum options hundreds of toys, displays and shows and is situated in Dyersville.
Drive simply west of Adair and take your image in entrance of a locomotive wheel that marks the positioning the place Jesse James staged his first theft of a transferring practice in 1873.
Be taught concerning the life and legacy of the one president from Iowa when you tour the museum. Hoover’s birthplace cottage and grave are additionally situated on the grounds in West Department.
Positioned in West Bend, 9 separate grottos every depict a scene from the lifetime of Christ. The grotto incorporates a group of treasured gems and gem stones discovered wherever in a single location.
Time stopped on the 12 villages that make up the Villages of Van Buren. Guests can discover two Nationwide Historic Districts and buying together with a dose of southern Iowa hospitality. The positioning contains the Bentonsport Historic Bridge, Douds Depot in Douds, vintage and specialty retailers.
Cool off from the summer season warmth with a go to to the Ice Home Museum in Cedar Falls. The museum shares the story of ice harvesting and is situated in an authentic ice home.
This free museum is in Council Bluffs and is filled with interactive displays for all ages. Find out how the transcontinental railroad was constructed and all about rail journey in america.
Take a tour of this Nationwide Historic Landmark exterior of Lewis in Cass County. The home was inbuilt 1856 by Rev. George Hitchcock and was a cease on the Underground Railroad. The Hitchcock Home is open from 1 to five p.m. Thursday by Sundays.
Head to Spillville to admire the hand-carved clocks made by the Bily brothers. Go to the Antonin Dvorak exhibit on the second flooring of the constructing the place the Czech composer spent the summer season of 1893 along with his household.
57. Pioneer Heritage Museum
This museum situated in Marengo is a half-block of buildings together with an 1860’s log cabin, a 1938 Marengo fireplace truck and a heritage barn.
This academic and historic occasion runs Sept. 1-5 in Mount Nice. You possibly can drive a tractor (or simply have a look at the greater than 1,000 tractors on show), go to the museums or take a practice journey by the grounds.
59. Stockman Home
Followers of architect Frank Lloyd Wright can admire his work by visiting the Stockman Home in Mason Metropolis. Excursions embody the outside and inside of the home. Admission is $10.
When Laura Ingalls was 9 years previous, her household moved to Burr Oak to handle the Masters Lodge. Take a guided tour of the lodge to study Wilder’s life there after which wander alongside the banks of the Silver Creek.
Arts and tradition alternatives
61. Shakespeare on the Garden
The Salisbury Home Basis and Iowa Stage Theatre Co. current “King Lear” when Shakespeare on the Garden returns to the Salisbury Home in Des Moines July 13-17. Advance tickets are required.
Take your image in entrance of the home that impressed Grant Wooden’s iconic portray. Whereas there, cease on the customer middle to study extra concerning the artist in Eldon.
Open year-round in Winterset, the Iowa Quilt Museum has two displays this summer season. Till June 26 take a look at “Midwest Trendy,” which options fashionable quilts from the final decade. The exhibit “Marti Michell, Yours Actually” will open June 28 and honors Iowan Marti Michell’s contributions to quilting.
On Might 27 and 28 expertise greater than a dozen Asian villages that includes meals, leisure and academic actions with out leaving Iowa. The pageant is held Western Gateway Park in Des Moines.
From June 24-26 in Western Gateway Park in Des Moines, discover the following piece of artwork in your residence. Spend time having fun with the efficiency artwork, interactive artwork, music, meals and different actions the pageant has to supply.
Study America’s waterways on this museum situated on Dubuque’s Riverwalk. See what sort of animals reside within the Mississippi River and participate within the interactive displays. The exhibit River of Innovation encompasses a Nineteenth-century belt-driven machine store.
Hear as Iowans inform true, first-person tales centered round a typical theme. June 14 at Hoyt Sherman Place the theme is “Voyages: Life-changing experiences by journey.”
Convey a picnic and benefit from the artwork unfold throughout 4.4 acres in downtown Des Moines. If you wish to study extra concerning the artwork, guided excursions can be found by request on-line.
The Czech Innovation Expo will likely be on show till June 26 on the Nationwide Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids. It’s an interactive exhibit utilizing an app on good gadgets that focuses on innovations and scientific discoveries of Czechs.
Positioned in downtown Iowa Metropolis, the Iowa Arts Competition options greater than 110 native and nationwide artists, meals distributors and actions for youths. It will likely be held June 3-5.
The wild world of sports activities
71. Absorb a baseball sport
Take pleasure in a day (or evening) on the ballpark at any considered one of Iowa’s skilled baseball groups. Watch the Clinton LumberKings, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Burlington Bees, the Sioux Metropolis Explorers, the Quad Cities River Bandits in Davenport or the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines.
72. Go ziplining
Sky Excursions at YMCA Union Park Camp in Dubuque affords 9 ziplines on a two-hour guided tour of Union Park. Guide a tour on-line.
73. RAGBRAI
Take pleasure in 462 miles of biking by central Iowa throughout RAGBRAI. From July 23-30, bicyclists will journey from Sergeant Bluff to Lansing through the Register’s Annual Nice Bike Trip Throughout Iowa.
Extra:Try RAGBRAI’s newly introduced pass-through and assembly cities with particulars, highlights
74. ‘Discipline of Goals’ in Dyersville
Open year-round, the “Discipline of Goals” film web site provides followers an opportunity to stroll across the area or get tickets for a tour of the home. On Aug. 11 Main League Baseball will likely be again on the area when the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds play.
Extra:When is the 2022 Discipline of Goals Sport? What it’s best to learn about this season’s MLB sport in Dyersville
75. Take a swing
Escape your golf golf equipment and take a swing at considered one of Iowa’s greater than 440 public golf programs. Among the state’s greatest embody Spirit Hole in Burlington, which was constructed on a 400-acre cattle ranch; The Harvester Golf Membership in Rhodes, ranked as excessive at fortieth nationwide; Blue Prime Ridge designed by famed architect Rees Jones in Riverside on the Riverside Resort & On line casino; The Protect on Rathbun Lake in Moravia, which even has a resort with actions round Rathbun Lake and an indoor water park; or The Falls Golf Course in Larchwood, additionally designed by Jones with a 30-foot waterfall that feeds right into a lake.
Positioned in Grimes and the East Village in Des Moines, Climb Iowa affords indoor climbing experiences for everybody. It’s the proper exercise for a wet summer season day in Iowa.
Play tennis on a garden tennis courtroom that was constructed on a household farm exterior Charles Metropolis in 2003. Reservations are required.
78. Be a part of a crew
Verify together with your metropolis’s parks and recreation division to see what sports activities are provided. Many cities provide slow-pitch softball, sand volleyball and kickball leagues.
Festivals for everybody
From July 29 to Aug. 6, the sky will likely be full of balloons in Indianola. Take pleasure in morning and night flights, the Nite Glow Extravaganza, fireworks and extra.
The forty third annual Candy Corn Competition in Adel takes place on Aug. 13. There’s a 5K run, parade, distributors and free candy corn.
81. Rhubacue on the River & 5K
On June 11, Rhubarb Fest and Riverfest in Manchester are coming collectively for one large occasion. Strive some rhubarb pie or possibly a rhubarb brat. Be taught concerning the White Water Park whereas watching demonstrations from the shore.
From Aug. 2-6 head to Sidney for PRCA saddlebronc using, steer wrestling and specialty act The Cowgirl Sweethearts.
83. Basic Automotive Day
Try classic vehicles, get pleasure from music, meals and actions at Kinney Pioneer Museum in Mason Metropolis on June 5. The occasion runs from midday to five p.m., and grownup admission is $10, youngsters 12 and underneath $5.
Head to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Webster Metropolis Might 27-28 for JunqueFest the place one can find all issues classic, upcycled, steel, and repurposed. There can even be meals, wine and children’ actions.
85. Nice River TugFest
Be a part of within the enjoyable in LeClaire at TugFest Aug. 11-13. Take pleasure in free admission Thursday evening, fireworks on Friday and a Tug of Warfare throughout the Mississippi River on Saturday.
Music at festivals
86. Leisure on the Iowa State Honest
From August 11-21, rejoice one of the best Iowa has to supply on the Iowa State Honest. This yr’s grandstand leisure contains Alanis Morissette, Brooks & Dunn, Nelly and extra.
Extra:What to know concerning the 2022 Iowa State Honest: live shows, tickets, dates and extra
On July 29 to July 31, get pleasure from a weekend of music in Strawberry Level. This yr’s musicians embody Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, The Savage Hearts and The Household Sowell.
Take pleasure in a day of free music July 2 in Sioux Metropolis. The 2022 lineup contains Buddy Man, Elle King and the Avett Brothers.
This nation music pageant is held on the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. From July 28-30 you’ll be able to see acts together with Sawyer Brown, Sara Evans and Clay Walker.
Discover extra than simply music at this two-day pageant in downtown Des Moines. Purchase some artwork, take the littles to the youngsters zone at no cost actions and benefit from the meals whereas listening to the music on the free and paid phases. The 2022 lineup July 8-9 contains Father John Misty, Iowa’s personal Maddie Poppe, and Charli XCX.
Hearken to reside music on the Lauridsen Amphitheater in Des Moines’ Water Works Park. Fitz and The Tantrums take the stage June 24.
Head to the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles for 3 days of music, Aug. 4-7. The lineup contains Nathaniel Rateliff & The Evening Sweats, Phoebe Bridgers, and Glass Animals. There are additionally craft distributors, artwork, and household actions to get pleasure from.
Extra:Hinterland Music Competition’s 2022 lineup launched, new 4-day schedule in St. Charles
Don’t miss the world premiere of the opera “A Thousand Acres” on July 9. The opera is predicated on the novel by Jane Smiley and is about in Iowa.
Dubbed the most effective nation music festivals within the nation, this music pageant brings 20,000 followers to Forest Metropolis to see Hint Adkins, Travis Tritt, Sawyer Brown and extra June 10-12.
Kick off the Fourth of July with two phases with jazz musicians after they take over downtown Iowa Metropolis July 1-3.
Eat and drink your manner by Iowa
96. Take pleasure in a craft beer
Throughout Iowa you will discover quite a few craft breweries. Strive a flight of native beers at Toppling Goliath in Decorah, Huge Grove Brewery in Solon and Iowa Metropolis or Confluence Brewing Co. in Des Moines.
97. Fulfill your candy tooth
Snookies Malt Store is a favourite summertime cease for individuals within the Beaverdale neighborhood in Des Moines. Get a cone, float, or shake and deal with your furry pal to a pet cone when you’re there.
Head to the Western Gateway Park in Des Moines Sept. 17-19 to attempt meals from world wide, wine and craft beers. Keep for the cooking demonstrations and reside music.
Positioned in Le Mars, the Wells Customer Heart provides followers of ice cream an opportunity to look at a film concerning the historical past of Wells. After that, make sure that to seize a candy snack on the Ice Cream Parlor.
100. Choose your individual berries
Spend a morning or afternoon choosing strawberries, raspberries or blackberries. Days and instances range relying on the climate annually, and it’s greatest to name forward. A listing of U-Choose farms in Iowa is on-line at visitiowafarms.org.
101. Farmers markets
Assist native farmers, producers and artists at your native farmers’ market. In central Iowa go to Valley Junction Famers’ Market on Thursday evenings or the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings.
Extra:Discover one of the best summer season produce and extra at considered one of these 16 Des Moines and metro farmers markets
Procuring extravaganza
102. Store ’til you drop
Spend a day on the Shops of Des Moines in Altoona and store at a few of your favourite model identify shops such because the Coach Outlet, Categorical Manufacturing unit, Lane Bryant, Nike Manufacturing unit Retailer and J Crew Manufacturing unit.
103. Iowa’s Vintage Metropolis
Head to Walnut for some buying at vintage shops and specialty retailers. The Barn Mall, constructed in 1894, options greater than 30 vintage distributors with a whole flooring full of classic chairs. The Granary Vintage Mall, the realm’s largest vintage store, has two ranges of treasures from furnishings to pottery.
104. Story Metropolis shop-a-thon
Story Metropolis has a number of boutique retailers, an vintage mall and a restored 1913 Herschell-Spillman vintage carousel that includes hand-carved picket animals that dance to music from a 1936 band organ.
105. Do some choosing in LeClaire
Vintage Archeology, the store made well-known on “American Pickers,” provides followers a have a look at a number of the treasure Mike Wolfe picked throughout America.
Discover greater than 140 specialty retailers, boutiques, artwork galleries and vintage retailers on this West Des Moines buying space centered on an historic railroad district initially based within the Nineties.
This historic Mississippi River neighborhood is brimming with buying, artwork and cafés, reminiscent of Lagomarcino’s, a chocolate store that options an Eighteen Eighties walnut again bar from the Snow White pharmacy in Maquoketa, Iowa,
Novelty, the biggest and shortest issues
Whenever you’re touring alongside Interstate 80 in Japanese Iowa, cease for fuel on the World’s Largest Truck Cease in Walcott. Store, eat and stretch your legs earlier than you hop again within the automobile.
Discover out what a 9,300-pound popcorn ball seems like in Sac Metropolis. When you’re there, go to the Sac County Freedom Rock on East Important Road.
Trip what’s described because the world’s shortest, steepest scenic railway. It takes guests from Fourth Road in Dubuque up 189 ft to Fenelon Place and affords views of three states and the Mississippi River.
See fashions made from hundreds of matchsticks together with the Mars 2020 Rover Perseverance, Notre Dame Cathedral and the U.S. Capitol. The museum is situated in Gladbrook.
Take a 26-mile drive between Adair and Dexter alongside White Pole Street. There are greater than 500 painted white poles alongside the route that was as soon as often known as the Nice White Approach.
Positioned in Burlington, Snake Alley has been designated “Unbelievably Crooked” by Ripley’s Consider It or Not. Go to on Father’s Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and luxuriate in artwork, music and meals through the Snake Alley Artwork Honest.
114. The Full Grassley
It may not have the ability to be executed in a single summer season, however make an effort to go to all 99 counties, similar to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and different Iowa politicians to yearly.
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Iowa
Putting EATS Act in farm bill would be a gift for corporate agriculture
![Putting EATS Act in farm bill would be a gift for corporate agriculture](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2018/11/06/USAT/c36f9865-a451-4b97-8a87-a8a2cd379934-VPC_CALIFORNIA_FARM_BILL_THUMB.jpg?auto=webp&crop=1919,1079,x0,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
EATS serves the interests of industrial livestock operations. As local people push back against corporate ag, we need more control over what happens in our communities, not less.
When the House Agriculture Committee marked up its draft farm bill in late May, representatives included a provision that’s a big gift for the corporate livestock industry. Dubbed the EATS Act (Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression), the measure would strip state and local governments of their ability to enact policies that protect our air, land and water from problems caused by factory farms.
Most of the attention, including a recent guest column in the Register by former Iowa Pork Producers Association President Trish Cook, has focused on how EATS would challenge California’s Proposition 12. Using corporate ag talking points, Cook and others are trying to portray factory farms as the victim. That’s just not true.
The reality is that Prop 12 was passed in 2018 by a huge majority of voters (63% to 37%). It requires hog factories in California to allow more space and freedom of movement for confined animals (sows, in particular). It also says California retailers can’t sell meat in their state if it doesn’t comply with this standard.
Prop 12 incensed the industrial livestock lobby, particularly in Iowa. All of Iowa’s U.S. senators and representatives have joined the EATS bandwagon. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and Reps. Ashley Hinson, Randy Feenstra, Zach Nunn, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks are all co-sponsors of the EATS Act. Gov. Kim Reynolds also supports EATS. Our delegation wants to shield the factory farm industry from local control and other state and local measures that protect people and our environment.
More: Farm bill must expand American food security and the farm safety net
Thousands of everyday Iowans have worked for years to strengthen environmental standards, assure local government authority to restrict factory farms, and mandate serious fines and penalties for polluters. We want our state and county governments to do more to protect our water, air and land from factory farm pollution. Industrial livestock operations should be regulated like any other industry that produces high levels of pollution and public health risks.
Factory farm rules, as minimal as they are in Iowa these days, are deeply personal to me. Back in 2002, a developer from 60 miles away wanted to build a 7,000-head sow confinement just 1,975-feet from our house in rural Adair County. Every year, 10 million gallons of liquid manure would be hauled up and down the gravel roads in our community and applied on various fields. Our neighbors joined with us and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) to fight back against this invasion. We worked with our local Board of Supervisors to voice our concerns. And because of our state laws (and grassroots organizing), we were able to stop that factory farm from being built.
Those of us challenging factory farms are not taking this corporate power grab lightly. Over 120 grassroots organizations across the U.S., including Iowa CCI, will keep organizing and talking with our neighbors throughout the farm bill debate to make sure EATS is removed from the final legislative package. The Senate draft is coming soon, and it doesn’t include EATS. Thirty senators and 172 representatives have signed letters opposing EATS in the farm bill. Those numbers are far more than the handful of co-sponsors captured by the factory farm lobby.
Let’s be clear: EATS serves the interests of industrial livestock operations. As local people push back against corporate ag, we need more control over what happens in our communities, not less. And we don’t need our elected officials working against us.
Barb Kalbach is a fourth-generation family farmer in Adair County and board president of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. Contact: barbnealkalbach@gmail.com.
More: Farm bill needs to be radical, demand more from farmers on conservation
Iowa
Iowa restaurant wanted to help teens. Now it could close
Amari Thigpen was 14 when he received his first job serving food, busing tables, greeting customers, mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms at Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry in North Liberty.
It was willing to work around his schedule as a student-athlete. After school, he would practice with the football team until about 6 p.m. Then he would head to the fast-casual southern cuisine restaurant, where he’d work for an hour or more, sometimes past 7 p.m.
“It was just to make a little extra money after practice,” Amari, now 19 and a student at Western Illinois University, told The Gazette. “But it also made me accountable and responsible, and taught me teamwork (as well as) how to manage my time and the importance of having a strong work ethic.”
He would bring his homework to the restaurant, where owners Carol Cater-Simmons and Chad Simmons would help tutor when needed.
The restaurant felt like a second home. He worked alongside some of his teammates, and was treated like family.
“It also made me grow, having a connection with Mr. Chad and Mrs. Carol and helping me with school or a problem I had,” Amari said. “They were right there to support me. … They always showed positivity and love to us.”
The restaurant’s owners, however, now face roughly $65,000 in fines for letting teens like Amari work longer hours than permitted under federal law. It’s an amount they say will put them out of business.
“It felt like we were being hit by a truck,” owner Chad Simmons said.
Restaurants hit with fines of up to $180,000
Iowa Restaurant Association President and Chief Executive Officer Jessica Dunker said several Iowa restaurant owners are facing steep fines ranging from $50,000 to $180,000 for following a new state law loosening work requirements for teens that conflicts with federal child labor regulations.
State lawmakers last year passed a law allowing teens to work longer hours and at more jobs, including those formerly off-limits as being hazardous. The state law includes a provision allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work as late as 9 p.m. on school nights and as late as 11 p.m. during the summer.
Federal law specifies younger teens can work only until 7 p.m. during the school year and until 9 p.m. during the summer.
Supporters have said the state law provides more opportunities for young Iowans who want to work, and could help address the state’s shortage of workers.
Democrats, labor unions and others criticized the bill for conflicting with federal law, putting young Iowans at risk in dangerous jobs and creating contradictory rules for Iowa businesses to follow.
Governor decries ‘excessive fines’
Gov. Kim Reynolds and Dunker have decried the federal fines as “excessive.”
Dunker asserts the U.S. Department of Labor is being heavy handed and singling out Iowa, noting it is one of 21 states with employment laws related to minors that don’t comply with federal law.
The Labor Department denies singling out Iowa, and says it is dealing with violations nationwide. So far this year, the department says it has found child labor violations in 16 states, with ongoing investigations in several others.
Last fiscal year, the department concluded 955 investigations, identifying child labor violations affecting nearly 5,800 children across the country. Penalties assessed exceeded $8 million.
Federal labor officials had warned lawmakers and the governor that employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act who follow the less-restrictive Iowa law would be subject to penalties.
Fiscal year | State | Child labor violation cases | Cases with penalties | Civil money penalties |
2019 | Iowa | 19 | 16 | $75,189 |
2020 | Iowa | 9 | 6 | $22,062 |
2021 | Iowa | 19 | 18 | $106,415 |
2022 | Iowa | 9 | 9 | $157,802 |
2023 | Iowa | 8 | 7 | $74,529 |
Grand total | Iowa | 64 | 56 | $435,997 |
Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor |
‘I knew I was in a safe environment’
A Labor Department spokesperson declined to comment on the fines against Sugapeach, stating the case still is considered open.
Simmons said the restaurant has appealed and are negotiating to have the fines reduced.
In a statement provided to The Gazette, the Department of Labor said no child should be working long hours, doing dangerous work or be employed in unsafe conditions.
“It’s dangerous and irresponsible that amidst a rise in child labor exploitation in this country, Iowa’s governor and state legislature have chosen to repeatedly undermine federal child labor protections despite the Labor Department’s clear guidance,” the statement said.
Since 2019, federal investigators have found an 88 percent increase in children being employed in violation of federal labor provisions.
Labor officials note the restaurant industry has a high rate of violations and often employs vulnerable workers who may not be aware of their rights or employment rules.
“The U.S. Department of Labor is working every day to ensure that children seeking their first work experiences are doing so in a safe and responsible way,” a spokesperson said. “But under our watch, that will not include allowing children to be exploited.”
Amari, the former Sugapeach employee, said he never felt unsafe or exploited working at the restaurant. “I knew I was in a safe environment. It was a positive environment,” he said.
He said he was never forced by the business to work past 7 p.m. on a school night. In instances when he did, “that was on me, because he had started or was in the middle of a task he wanted to finish.
Enhanced penalties
Last year, the Department of Labor announced it was launching a national initiative to uncover child labor violations, which included changing the way it fines employers for violations.
Previously, employers were fined on a per-child basis based on the size of the business and gravity of the violation. Now, employers are fined per violation. For instance, if there are three separate violations related to a child’s employment, the employer is fined for three separate penalties, each of which can reach the statutory maximum.
Federal law allows for a fine of up to $15,138 for child labor violations and up $68,801 for violations that cause death or serious injury of an employee under the age of 18. Fines can be increased or decreased based on the nature of the violations, the age of the child, the size of the business, whether the violation was willful or repeated, the length of illegal employment and hours worked.
The Department of Labor said it is committed to using all its enforcement tools, including assessing monetary penalties, to ensure that when children work, the work does not jeopardize their health, well-being or education.
‘Innocent bystanders in a fight some else created’
Chad Simmons said he was trying to help his community by supporting young teens, many of whom came from single-parent households.
The restaurant owner hired 14- and 15-year-olds as part of a program called “Scholars Making Dollars,” which works with the Alpha Phi Alpha chapter in Iowa City. Under the program, the high school students receive mentorship provided by the chapter and part-time work experience through the restaurant.
Simmons said the aim was to provide a safe after-school environment where the teens could learn valuable job skills, while putting a little money in their pocket.
Students worked one day during the week and one day on the weekend from about 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a 30-minute dinner break and free meal provided by the restaurant. He said they were paid $8 an hour, a guaranteed tip of $3 and additional incentives that could bump their total pay to $13 an hour for busing tables, greeting customers, serving food, mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms.
“My wife and I were there with them and working beside them. They were never doing anything unsafe,” Simmons said.
Most of the six to seven teens employed by the restaurant were student athletes looking for a job with flexible scheduling, he said. At the same time, the program helped the restaurant fill positions during the pandemic at a time when many workers were leaving the industry, finding jobs with higher pay or weren’t looking for work because of unemployment benefits.
Simmons said he was contacted by the Department of Labor in early August 2023 requesting payroll records and employee timesheets for the last two years. Investigators also interviewed employees under the age of 16.
He said he does not know why his business was selected, but speculates it may have arisen as a result of national news coverage of the restaurant’s use of high schoolers to fill a worker shortage during the pandemic.
And while the violations predate the 2023 change to state law (Simmons said the business was simply unaware of the limits for 14- and 15-year-olds), Simmons faults lawmakers and the Iowa Restaurant Association for advocating “a policy to purposely antagonize the federal government and the Department of Labor.”
He said his interactions with the Department of Labor throughout the process have been positive, calling them “great civil servants.”
“This is not a train wreck that we started,” Simmons said. “We are innocent bystanders in a fight someone else created” between the state and federal government.
But it’s a fight Simmons said could result in a killing blow for his restaurant “for trying to do the right thing.” As a result of the fines, he said the restaurant no longer employs workers under the age of 16.
“As a Black-owned business trying to be supportive of the community, it breaks my heart that the only way for us to survive is to not employee 14- and 15-year-olds and not to provide support to our youth,” Simmons said.
Parent: Feds should loosen work rules for teens
As the old saying goes, raising a child takes a village, said Eric Thigpen, Amari’s father.
As a divorced father who grew up in a single-parent household, Thigpen said he understands how difficult it can be for working parents to raise a child — to have the time and resources to make sure they’re surrounded by positive role models, engaged in constructive activities and taking advantage of opportunities to grow and learn.
“For me, as a parent, I didn’t have any issue with it,” said Thigpen, a former Hawkeye football player and member of the local Alpha Phi Alpha chapter involved in the “Scholars Making Dollars” program.
“The life lessons we instill in these kids will catapult them monumentally in the future,” Thigpen said.
A March 2023 Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll showed that a majority of Iowa parents with children under 18 ― 57 percent ― supported relaxing child labor laws, with 32 percent opposed and 11 percent unsure.
“Being a student-athlete and working around his schedule, it was great for him,” Thigpen said. “It didn’t affect my child’s academics or extracurricular activities. It was a bonus. … It was a win-win for myself and my son.
“You have these kids out here that are eager to learn and do good things. … They want to do their school work and be good students, but they also want to work and put a little change in their pocket.”
He and his son said federal officials should loosen regulations on the hours young people can work.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” Thigpen said of the $65,000 fine against Sugapeach. “You have a business owner and restaurant trying to do positive things for the community.”
Amari agreed.
“They were giving us work opportunities and to make money and pushing us to go to college,” he said. “ … I feel if teenagers want to put in the work and work those hours, they should be able to.”
Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com
Iowa
Rescued cats from Iowa find temporary refuge with PAWS Chicago
![Rescued cats from Iowa find temporary refuge with PAWS Chicago](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox32chicago.com/www.fox32chicago.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1280/720/557C710838652923AF0AE3D8545E6349.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Rescued cats from Iowa find temporary refuge with PAWS Chicago
Anxious and hungry, they arrived one by one at their new temporary home in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
CHICAGO – Anxious and hungry, they arrived one by one at their new temporary home in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
Eighteen cats, each with unique stories, coats and energy, have joined the PAWS Chicago family. Among them are Leo, Daffy, Hayden, Harris and Fava.
The group consists of nine male and nine female cats, ranging from 13 months to 7-and-a-half years old.
Many are strays; six were surrendered by owners. They came from a humane society in Iowa.
President Biden declared a disaster for several Iowa counties earlier this week after devastating floods ravaged homes.
Authorities said the entire country is experiencing a pet overpopulation problem.
The cats will undergo medical evaluation and should be ready for adoption next week.
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