Twenty For 2020 | The Year That Was

December 31, 2020

By Joseph L. Murphy, Iowa Soybean Association

A lingering trade war with China, a broken levee system along the Missouri River and uncertain U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules impacting biodiesel and renewable fuels shaped the 2020 agricultural landscape in January and February. That is until COVID-19 exploded into a global pandemic forcing farmers, distributors and the food industry to rethink supply chains and business practices.

On top of the pandemic's uncertainty, many farmers faced drought conditions and a devastating derecho, compliments of Mother Nature. The year has dealt blows to Iowa farmers, but there have also been glimmers of hope. China purchased $25 billion in U.S. farm goods, part of its $36.5 billion commitment in the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement, and there was a bounce in commodity markets.

Through it, all Iowa farmers remained resilient and committed to growing food that truly feeds the world.

The following 20 photos offer a glimpse of the year that was.

April Hemmes, a farmer from Hampton, fills a planter with soybeans on the first day of planting in April. Hemmes and other farmers across the state planted their crops under the uncertainty of a trade war with China and an emerging pandemic.

April Hemmes, a farmer from Hampton, fills a planter with soybeans on the first day of planting in April. Hemmes and other farmers across the state planted their crops under the uncertainty of a trade war with China and an emerging pandemic.

Debbie Takes looks out the door of the family's milking parlor. For three decades, Debbie and her husband Dan have milked their cows twice a day with few days off in between.

Debbie Takes looks out the door of the family's milking parlor. For three decades, Debbie and her husband Dan have milked their cows twice a day with few days off in between.

Volunteers from the University of Iowa Athletics give food and water to people impacted by the August 10 derecho storm in Cedar Rapids.

Volunteers from the University of Iowa Athletics give food and water to people impacted by the August 10 derecho storm in Cedar Rapids.

A view high above the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines shows a quiet city during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A view high above the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines shows a quiet city during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A co-op in Luther received significant damage to its grain storage facility after the August 10 derecho.

A co-op in Luther received significant damage to its grain storage facility after the August 10 derecho.

Ron Heck surveys the damage and rebuilding efforts at his farm near Perry. Ninety percent of his farm had structural damage from the August 10 storm. Heck will be rebuilding and recovering from the storm for years to come.

Ron Heck surveys the damage and rebuilding efforts at his farm near Perry. Ninety percent of his farm had structural damage from the August 10 storm. Heck will be rebuilding and recovering from the storm for years to come.

Jeff Jorgenson, a farmer from Fremont County and President of the Iowa Soybean Association, feeds his cattle earlier this spring.

Jeff Jorgenson, a farmer from Fremont County and President of the Iowa Soybean Association, feeds his cattle earlier this spring.

Corn sprouts from the ground early in the Iowa growing season.

Corn sprouts from the ground early in the Iowa growing season.

The glow of the setting sun illuminates a barn and field in Guthrie County.

The glow of the setting sun illuminates a barn and field in Guthrie County.

The sun dips below the horizon looking west from Granger. Wildfires in California created hazy sunsets for several weeks in Iowa.

The sun dips below the horizon looking west from Granger. Wildfires in California created hazy sunsets for several weeks in Iowa.

Soybeans, corn and other crops make a patchwork painting on rolling hills near Dedham.

Soybeans, corn and other crops make a patchwork painting on rolling hills near Dedham.

Rosemary Seward of New Virginia holds one of her chickens during the Wayne County Fair. A few county fairs in Iowa adopted safety protocols to allow children to show their exhibits.

Rosemary Seward of New Virginia holds one of her chickens during the Wayne County Fair. A few county fairs in Iowa adopted safety protocols to allow children to show their exhibits.

Randy Miller pilots his combine through a soybean field near his home in Lacona.

Randy Miller pilots his combine through a soybean field near his home in Lacona.

A black lab waits for his friend to come down the stairs at a rural Dallas County farm.

A black lab waits for his friend to come down the stairs at a rural Dallas County farm.

The Iowa Theater, located in Winterset, displays a sign of support amid the ongoing pandemic.

The Iowa Theater, located in Winterset, displays a sign of support amid the ongoing pandemic.

A farmer checks a corn sheller's progress during the 2020 Picker Day at the Struthers farm in Collins.

A farmer checks a corn sheller's progress during the 2020 Picker Day at the Struthers farm in Collins.

Jim Ludeking watches over the boiler as members of the Green family turn maple sap into sweet sugar and syrup. The Green family has been making maple syrup in the hills surrounding Castalia for 165 years.

Jim Ludeking watches over the boiler as members of the Green family turn maple sap into sweet sugar and syrup. The Green family has been making maple syrup in the hills surrounding Castalia for 165 years.

Randy Miller harvests soybeans near Lacona. Farmers enjoyed optimal weather for the majority of the 2020 harvest.

Randy Miller harvests soybeans near Lacona. Farmers enjoyed optimal weather for the majority of the 2020 harvest.

Lowell Garrett, a farmer from Adel, climbs the stairs of his John Deere combine while preparing to harvest soybeans near Perry.

Lowell Garrett, a farmer from Adel, climbs the stairs of his John Deere combine while preparing to harvest soybeans near Perry.

Small businesses felt the pandemic's impacts on main streets and town squares across the country. Here, spring snow falls on an empty Winterset town square in April.

Small businesses felt the pandemic's impacts on main streets and town squares across the country. Here, spring snow falls on an empty Winterset town square in April.