Summer 2026

Fresh Pickings magazine celebrates the incredible food, farms and families that make Iowa a special place to live.

Learn how Iowa farmers and urban communities are coming together to improve water quality, meet a chef and local food enthusiast who helps connect farm to table, and discover the many health benefits of adding fiber to your diet. We’ll introduce readers to a multi-generational farm family with a passion for their land and unique cattle, and get wild diving into the balanced, carefully planned diets of zoo animals. Plus, explore an underground natural wonder right here in Iowa and tempt your taste buds with grilled and chilled summer recipes.

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Feature Articles

Editor's Note: The Summer of Movement How fairs, festivals and road miles connect Iowa communities.

Family Table: A Smashing Success Burgers grilled to perfection and ideal for summer.

Agritourism: Plan Your Rural Iowa Road Trip Venture off the beaten path and discover a new perspective of America’s heartland.

Point of Interest: Underground Exploration Awaits Embark on a subterranean summer adventure at Maquoketa Caves State Park.

They Eat Like Animals! How the Blank Park Zoo feeds and nurtures its inhabitants.

Passing It On A farm transition rooted in trust and timing.

Focused on Fiber Getting enough fiber has some surprising results.

Farm Family Folklore Read about Moeckly Farms’ storied past, present and future.

Charred, Chilled & Churro’d Smoky. Cool. Sweet. A beautiful balance of flavors.

Building a Culinary Empire, One Local Ingredient at a Time An Iowa chef’s journey to building restaurants rooted in local flavor and community.

From Farm Fields to Faucets Rural and urban Iowans depend on each other for clean water.

Fresh Picked: Man’s Best Friend or Farm’s Best Asset? An ode to the even-tempered Bernese Mountain Dog.

Recipe Spotlight

Classic Beef Smash Burgers

Classic beef smash burgers combine simple ingredients with the right technique: loosely formed 80/20 ground beef is smashed onto a hot skillet for crisp, flavorful edges. A homemade burger sauce adds savory richness, while toasted buns and fresh garden toppings keep each bite balanced. This quick family favorite brings together Iowa beef and summer produce.

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