Siouxland Farmers prepare for Spring Planting, Sioux County

While driving and checking out parts of Siouxland up by the Iowa Lakes Region and again returning home, I came across some farmers prepping for planting this spring. The two I saw appeared to be disking their fields, although these days I understand that farmers employ a no-till option and just plant directly without any prep work. It’s been a little wet with rain passing through Siouxland, but not all parts are getting rain. I must admit that when I smell newly turned soil in a field it brings back memories while growing up on a farm. Probably the same for people who grew up near a body of water like a lake or the ocean.

Although reminiscing now is easier than the part of growing up, I still have fond memories.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A farmer in Dickinson County begins his spring tilling along the bike trail near Milford, Iowa Tuesday, April 11, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A farmer begins his spring work in Sioux County in a field near Hospers, Iowa in Sioux County Tuesday, April 11, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Leading Lines in Siouxland, Monona County

I tell students who take my photo classes to look for images in places they are familiar with, and if they don’t see them the first time, to look again. Even though there is the chance a person could take the same photograph time and again, if one really looks I believe it’s possible to see something new or different than the last time one visited a favorite place.

Recently I took a drive down into the Loess Hills in Monona County and all I saw was brown. Brown (gravel) roadways, brown grass, brown fields, etc. Then as I was making a curve on one of these roads it hit me. Yes the field is brown, but it has some nice lines. I could have tried killing time for a few hours to get a sunset for my leading lines photo, but I actually hate staying in the same place a long time unless the payoff is going to be dramatic. So I stopped, made the image, and then continued on my way through the hills to see what was on the other side.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Leading lines in a field in rural Monona County, Iowa Saturday, March 18, 2017.

Changing Scenery in Siouxland, Alton

While shooting an assignment in Alton, Iowa recently I noticed a grain elevator being demolished. In all of the small towns in Siouxland I have visited one can always find grain elevators. It is part of the agricultural landscape of the area and usually an anchor to the downtown area. Farmers are dependent on the local grain elevators where they deliver their harvested crops which begins a food chain cycle. And a lot of beginnings start in Iowa, a mainstay of agriculture.

So to see a grain elevator come down seems out of place and gives me pause. Not knowing the history, or possibly the fact that another one may takes its place that is more modern I can not say. But because these instruments of business loom large over small towns local landscape, it is hard to miss.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

The demolition of the Midwest Farmers Coop in Alton, Iowa Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Remembering those “warm” autumn days in Siouxland, Monona County

As the first single digits of winter temperature approaches I can now wistfully look back on those warm autumn days as I drove about, enjoying the color scenes and trying not to think about the coming winter months. Time and Mother Nature moves forward, and it’s not that I don’t mind winter, it’s the 30-40 mph wind gusts and the single digit temperatures or below zero temperature because of windchill. It makes venturing out more challenging to explore one’s surroundings. So I think fondly for this year of driving around places in Siouxland like Monona County and finding new places to explore and photograph.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A country road and fall scene in rural Monona County, Iowa Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A fall scenic in rural Monona County, Iowa Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A fall scenic along a gravel road in rural Monona County, Iowa Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A fall scenic in rural Monona County, Iowa Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An older outbuilding in rural Monona County, Iowa Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An interested bovine looks questioningly as to whether this passer-by will be feeding it in rural Monona County, Iowa Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A late fall scenic view in an not yet harvested corn field in rural Monona County, Iowa Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A fall scenic view in rural Monona County, Iowa Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Enjoying Siouxland’s fleeting end of summer days, Monona County

Fall is about here and while driving about Siouxland I look forward to the fall season because of the light, direct, yet softer than summer’s light and one doesn’t have to get up so early to capture a sunrise. But with summer passing I feel a little winsome, especially with what comes after fall. But for the here and now, I am enjoying it and wait to see what fall brings.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Wildflowers in rural Monona County, Iowa, Sept. 1, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Grazing sheep in rural Monona County, Iowa, Sept. 1, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Siouxland’s Summer Fairs, Woodbury County

Summer fairs continue with a celebration that is still somewhat grounded in honoring agriculture. Midways have been added with rides, talent show contests, but still the fairs are comprised in a large part by 4-H clubs exhibiting their animal and other projects. The Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa, is no different and it gives young people a chance to show skills and learned activities other than sports in school.

But mostly it is a time to celebrate another year and look forward to the next.

 

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A young 4-H member demonstrates and talks about her rabbit project which she cared for and documented during a judging at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A 4-H project rabbit rests in its cage at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

People check out exhibits at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Three Rivers Band performs at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. Members include Sam Jenkins, left, Joyce Bentley, Doug Bentley and Mert Van Houten. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Items inside the front door at a one-room school house at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Children try out desks in a former one-room school house located at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An older farmer reminisces about older farm tractors which he probably used as a younger man while at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Three young women look at 4-H exhibits at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Two goats decide to snack between meals at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A 4-H mom pitches in to keep the aisle clean along members animals at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Local 4-H members show their animals during a judging contest at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa Friday, August 5, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Thinking of Siouxland’s Greener Pastures

A few days ago the Siouxland region received a slight blizzard. Whiteout conditions for practically all of northwest Iowa and I and many others had the pleasure of clearing 14 inches of snow from our walks and driveways. Mother Nature’s way of ensuring people get a little exercise during the colder months. And now the temperatures are dropping again to below zero. All of this following the little rodent’s (Punxsutawney Phil) prediction of an early spring. And thinking of spring has me thinking of once again getting out and getting lost on some of Iowa’s back roads looking for scenics and other out of the way areas that I can photograph and share.

I really like to be shooting all the time, but that isn’t always possible, but then it doesn’t hurt to daydream a little in anticipation of hitting the road again.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A fence line in rural Monona County, Iowa, Thursday, May 28, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A barn situated off old Highway 141 in rural Woodbury County, Iowa, Thursday, May 28, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A pastoral scene with a Holga plastic lens at Stone State Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, Oct. 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)