Editor's Note: Making Room for Fall

October 5, 2026

By Lydia Zerby

Each season in Iowa is distinct, and with their own mix of joys and challenges. Spring brings renewal, green fields and hopeful anticipation, but it can also bring rain and other weather worries. Summer means warm days and freedom from school for kids, but it’s also filled with sports, commitments and trying to fit it all in. 

At the time of writing this note, Iowa is on the verge of fall. The Iowa State Fair has served its last corn dog. School is starting. Nights are slowly cooling. Even the humidity is beginning to fade — a welcome reprieve for Iowans. 

It can be bittersweet knowing the long days of summer are fading. But I’ve also come to appreciate how much we need the changing of seasons. There’s something refreshing about a shift in pace and scenery — a reminder that change is a natural part of life. 

And fall in Iowa gives us plenty to look forward to: crisp, cool mornings, football games on Saturdays, colorful leaves and pumpkin patches overflowing with visitors. 

When I think about Iowa farm families and the seasons they move through, I’m especially inspired by what fall represents for them. They’ve spent the spring and summer planting, scouting crops and watching the weather, crossing their fingers that Mother Nature provides just the right combination of sunshine and rain. Now, after months of waiting and watching, it’s go time. 

In this issue, we highlight a family who has turned their love of growing pumpkins into a way of sharing their fall bounty with city dwellers. We’ll also take you to Sioux City, where nature and culture come together to create a beautiful and welcoming Iowa community. And, of course, you’ll find plenty of recipes to welcome the season, featuring warm, comforting dishes made with Iowa-grown and raised ingredients. 

As the seasons change around us, I hope you’ll take a moment to slow down, savor what makes fall special and appreciate the people who help bring Iowa’s bounty to our tables.