About this episode

Todd Western III shares his family's 160-year farming legacy and discusses the impact of his father's death on his agricultural journey.

Todd Western III’s family settled in Mahaska County in 1864, a year after Abraham Lincoln issued his famous Emancipation Proclamation . More than 160 years later, the family still farms the same land. As one would imagine, the Western family has weathered a lot over the course of their time on the land: price fluctuations, weather changes, and racial discrimination. But it was the sudden death of Western’s father that changed the course of his life and allowed him to find his calling. Listen to Western tell the story of his family and how his passion for agriculture spurred him on to form the Iowa Farmers of Color. Voices: Todd Western III — Iowa Farmer and Senior Donor Advisor at Greater Twin Cities United Way Resources: You can find more information about the Iowa Farmers of Color at: * https://www.iowafarmersofcolor.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564629460814 * Instagram - @iowafarmersofcolor You can learn more about the class action suit against the US Department of Agriculture by Black Farmers ( Pigford v Glickman ) here. Stay in the Loop Stay connected to the latest in Iowa’s food system news. Subscribe to the IFSC newsletter for timely news, action…

People in this episode

Host: Iowa Food System Coalition

Guest: Todd Western III

Topics covered

• family legacy
• agriculture
• racial discrimination
• Iowa farmers
• food system

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Iowa Farmers of Color, Greater Twin Cities United Way, US Department of Agriculture

Places: Mahaska County

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