The Iowa Podcast

Clear Lake 4th of July is like a Hallmark Movie

American is 250 years old and Clear Lake, Iowa is celebrating with a bang! Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Stacy Doughan explains why 60,000 Iowans squeeze into the town during this massive celebration, visitor FAQs, and why key decisions around lake restoration improved the local area. 💡 Official show page with links: https://iowapodcast.com/clear-lake-4th-of-july [https://iowapodcast.com/clear-lake-4th-of-july] ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk to Nate Boulton for free: https://workerslawyers.com [https://workerslawyers.com] 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq [https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq] Doughan explains why Clear Lake is seeing a growth spurt as people seek out quiet, close-knit life. She also tells the encouraging story of how Clear Lake went from an eye-sore to something the local community is proud of. That growth however has come at a cost she says. Housing hasn't kept up with demand. What's being done about that?

Iowa County Fairs bring in over 1 billion dollars for Iowa!

County fairs are county-wide celebrations, but because of their local focus Iowans don't understand the incredible economic impact they have on our state. Thomas Barnes explains the billion dollar economic impact county fairs have, and why our 99 counties somehow have 106 county fairs. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: http://iowapodcast.com/association-of-iowa-fairs [http://iowapodcast.com/association-of-iowa-fairs] ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk to Nate Boulton for free: https://workerslawyers.com [https://workerslawyers.com] 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq [https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq] Barnes is the Executive Director of the Association of Iowa Fairs. He explains how the fair system in Iowa works, and the importance of programs like FFA and 4H. He explains some of the headwinds these programs face. Will Iowa capitalize on the national focus on agriculture, and homesteading?

Ice Cream Days in Le Mars, Iowa. A brief history and how to attend!

It's almost here! Le Mars Iowa hosts it's annual Ice Cream Days festival. Executive Director, Kristen Heimgartner explains the history of the special event, how you can get free ice cream, why their town is growing, and how their biggest employer, Wells, sources dairy from Iowa farms. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/ice-cream-days [https://iowapodcast.com/ice-cream-days] ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk to Nate Boulton for free: https://workerslawyers.com [https://workerslawyers.com] 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq [https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq]

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig not concerned on glyphosate

With cancer rates and water quality concerns, Iowans are paying close attention to the Secretary of Agriculture race. Should we make changes? Should we ban chemical pesticides or herbicides like glyphosate? Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said his administration will prioritize accelerating voluntary conservation practices vs new regulations, laws, or mandates. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/mike-naig [https://iowapodcast.com/mike-naig] ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk to Nate Boulton for free: https://workerslawyers.com [https://workerslawyers.com] 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq [https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq]

Iowa beer trends and what's behind the Iowa Craft Brew Festival?

Iowa's craft beer scene is experiencing a shift toward crisp, lower-alcohol beverages. Noreen Otto, the executive director of the Iowa Brewers Guild, and "ringmaster" of The Iowa Craft Brew Festival, highlights a major renaissance in craft ciders made from heritage fruits grown in local orchards. 💡 Find this show on your favorite player: https://iowapodcast.com/craft-brew-festival ⚖️ Hurt at work? Talk to Nate Boulton for free: https://workerslawyers.com 🐖 Get a free $30 gift card from Jethro's BBQ: https://iowapodcast.com/jethrosbbq Consumers are increasingly moving away from heavily hopped IPAs and high-ABV stouts in favor of straightforward, easy-drinking lagers and ales. "I love this question because I do think one of the big misconceptions in craft beer is that everything tastes like hops, right?" Otto notes.