Harvest Time in Siouxland, Rural Monona County, Whiting

A farmer continues to run his combine in a soybean filed while he unloads into a nearby wagon as the sun sets Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in rural Woodbury County near Whiting, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Harvest time has arrived in Siouxland as elsewhere where agriculture plays a big part of a state’s economy. Farmers are working quickly and long hours to get their crops out after a year in the state of Iowa where drought has maintained a presence for quite a while. And recently rains are predicted for the area, which during harvest is not always welcomed even in drought situations as it adds unwanted water content to the soybeans delaying harvest and hurting farmer’s profits as the soybeans like corn must fall within a certain water content criteria for grain elevators to accept them without being “docked money per pounds. And these days, pennies count.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A farmer continues running his combine to harvest a soybean field as he unloads into a nearby wagon while the sun sets Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 in rural Woodbury County near Whiting, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Scenes in Siouxland, Whiting

Some scenes I come upon can be generic in a way. They could be photographed in many places in the U.S. and possibly even Europe. Simple scenes, like doors and flowers. Shapes and texture. Something I try to impart on students when teaching photography. Always be looking and have a camera. Cell phones work in a pinch. But the moments pass, fleeting, never to be the same again. But even isolated scenes in a small Northwest Iowa town can be universal, it just depends on how one sees it.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Doorway in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, June 30, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Doorway in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, June 30, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Hollyhock plants in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, June 30, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Celebrating the 4th of July in Siouxland, Whiting

There is nothing like celebrating the Fourth of July in a small town and attending its parade. The enthusiasm of the participants and the residents and guests who come to watch is unmatched. I visited Whiting, Iowa for its Independence Day celebration this Fourth of July and enjoyed a hometown celebration, joy and pride. Honoring their nation and those who serve it and those who live in it.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Grain elevators loom over the downtown area as people celebrate the Fourth of July parade in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

No parade in a small rural community is complete without implement machinery as people watch and participate celebrating the Fourth of July in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

PATTI MARR, Whiting, Iowa, poses as Miss Liberty on a family float celebrating the Fourth of July during the parade in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

CORI PERSINGER, left dressed for the holidy, and EVA UHL, right, grabbing tossed candy, are sisters from Kansas City, MO, watching the Fourth of July parade while visiting family in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

Some of the names on the Whiting American Legion WWII Service Board situated on the community’s main street as residents and guests celebrate the Fourth of July parade in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.