Celebrating nature across the U.S.

<p>These two deer appeared on a hillside at sunset in Guthrie County, Iowa. &nbsp;Springtime in Iowa means deer are on the move, usually with their young not far behind.</p>

<p><em>Jennifer Carrico, Wallaces Farmer</em></p>

<p>Every summer we have tourists who flock to Kansas fields for their own Instagram-worthy shots of our state flower, the sunflower. They are a magnificent crop—providing physical sustenance through their seeds and their oil, but also spiritual sustenance with their cheerful blooms and their seeds that are found in a perfect&nbsp;Fibonacci sequence, a mathematical marvel.</p>

<p><em>Jennifer M. Latzke, Kansas Farmer</em></p>

<p>A bee pollinates a canola flower at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury, N.C.&nbsp;“Because pollinators play such a vital role in crop production, it is important to protect and promote their health,” says North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.</p>

<p><em>John Hart, Southeast Farm Press</em></p>

<p>Ok, use some imagination! If you look at the short rows of thick corn in the middle, decreasing in length bottom to top, it looks like a Christmas tree, right? Sort of? Maybe? Anyway, this field was spotted in the heart of Johnson County, Indiana. Apparently, the farmer has row-shut-offs on the planter, but not turn compensation. These super-thick, super-short rows were created when he started around the curve at the end of the field near the road. It's OK, I see clouds that look like Christmas trees too! Christmas in June!</p>

<p><em>Tom J. Bechman, Indiana Prairie Farmer</em></p>

<p>Wine grapes are just starting to mature at Pond Hill Farm, Harbor Spring, Mich., in August 2021. In addition to growing a variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, the Spencer family also raises its own grapes for 16 different in-house wines to offer in their agrotourism business.</p>

<p><em>Jennifer Kiel, Michigan Farmer, Ohio Farmer</em></p>

<p>Nebraska is second nationally only to South Dakota in bison production. This small herd is grazing at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge just east of Valentine, Neb. Herds are raised for meat on farms and tribal ranches and farms across the state, and also roam in herds kept by Fort Robinson State Park and at Fort Niobrara NWR, for instance, reminding us of the millions of head of bison that once roamed the prairie.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Curt Arens, Nebraska Farmer</em></p>

<p>A honeybee forages for pollen and nectar in a California orange grove.</p>

<p><em>Todd Fitchette, Western Farm Press</em></p>

<p>A drill sits rusting in a hedgerow near Logan, Kan. Every farm has a hedgerow with a piece of equipment or two that have been abandoned to the elements by previous generations. I like to photograph them for their sculptural beauty, but also I’m reminded that someone at some point used that equipment to raise a crop and provide for their families.</p>

<p><em>Jennifer M. Latzke, Kansas Farmer</em></p>

<p>Walking is a way to disconnect for a bit, but always with smart phone along. A wheat field near Rosemount, Minn., was ripe for pictures, but Willie Vogt got a surprise and while they’re small those ladybug beetles do stand out.</p>

<p><em>Willie Vogt, executive director, content, Farm Progress</em></p>

<p>A couple Novembers ago, a big storm rolled through western Illinois and after it, the most glorious sky full of purples and pinks. And then: a rainbow in the eastern sky. But it was fast. And fleeting. I ran full speed out of my house and got one photo before it faded away. The sky can rain down its wrath on us here in the Midwest, with wind and hail and pounding rain and tornadoes and more. But the sky always clears. And sometimes, if we’re looking, we get the picture-perfect reward.</p>

<p><em>Holly Spangler, Prairie Farmer</em></p>

<p>This monarch caterpillar is enjoying milkweed—its sole food source.</p>

<p><em>Paula Mohr, The Farmer</em></p>

<p>Bees—for some the first sight brings joy, for others its fear. However, when it comes to growing the food we eat, bees are vital to the success of many agricultural crops like fruits, nuts and vegetables. The Bee Conservancy estimates that 1 in every 3 bites of food is pollinated by these hard working insects. Farmers work every day to increase pollinator habitat around their fields to help increase bee populations. So, around your own home, help out--don’t swat, just watch bees at work.</p>

<p><em>Mindy Ward, Missouri Ruralist</em></p>

<p>The Brood X cicada, also known as the Great Eastern Brood, made a big splash in 2021 across the East Coast with one of its biggest emergence events in history. Billions of these critters, including this one seen in Mt. Gretna, Pa., emerged from 17 years underground to find a mate and make a lot of noise.</p>

<p><em>Chris Torres, American Agriculturist</em></p>

<p>Fran O’Leary, editor of Wisconsin Agriculturist, interviewed Michelle and Mike Ovans on June 10 about their peony farm near Beaver Dam, Wis. The Ovans grow 1,200 peony plants and the peonies were all in bloom. “It is such a spectacular sight to see thousands of pink, white, and red peonies all in bloom,” O’Leary says.</p>

<p><em>Fran O'Leary, Wisconsin Agriculturist</em></p>

<p>Late morning sun casts shadows and makes snow crystals glisten in this wooded winter scene.</p>

<p><em>Paula Mohr, The Farmer</em></p>

<p>A bald eagle cools off in a partially flooded cotton field in southwest Georgia. The picture was taken several years ago. A few decades ago, sighting this national symbol in the region was rare. It is much more common now, and remains a striking bird to watch.</p>

<p><em>Brad Haire, Southeast Farm Press</em></p>

<p>Sierra Day, Prairie Farmer field editor, is biased when it comes to breeds of cattle. But, she can’t think of a better way to enjoy nature than Angus cows and a sunset.</p>

<p><em>Sierra Day, Prairie Farmer</em></p>

<p>It didn't happen in a field, but capturing a lightning picture is a highlight for anyone who has a camera! And few things are more natural, or scary, than a lightning strike. Content Optimization Specialist Jen Koukol captured this picture last summer on South Center Lake in Minnesota.</p>

<p><em>Jen Koukol, content optimization specialist, Farm Progress</em></p>

<p><span style="color:#000000">Feeders hanging by Slate Canon's&nbsp;office window creates the opportunity for her&nbsp;to watch these beautiful hummingbirds each year. </span></p>

<p><em>Slate Canon, content producer, Farm Progress</em></p>