The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll is an annual survey of Iowa farmers. The survey project collects and disseminates information on issues of importance to farmers and agricultural stakeholders across Iowa and the Midwest. The Farm Poll has been conducted since 1982, making it the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation. The survey is conducted by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Sociology in partnership with the ISU Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology (CSSM) and supported by ISU Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. The information gathered through the annual survey is used to inform the development and improvement of research and extension programs and is used by local, state, and national leaders in their decision-making processes. We thank the many farm families who responded to this year’s survey and appreciate their continued participation.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll. Thanks to the vision of its founder, Dr. Paul Lasley, the Farm Poll continues to be an important tool that helps ISU Extension and Outreach and a wide range of public and private agricultural stakeholders to better understand Iowa farmers’ perspectives and needs.

The 2022 Farm Poll survey focused on a range of issues including farm family quality of life and well-being, farming and traumatic experiences, opinions about what makes a “good farmer,” influence of information sources on decisions, and participation in carbon markets.

This report focuses largely on Iowa farmers’ perspectives regarding a major nutrient management effort called the 4R Plus initiative, a science-based framework designed to guide improved nutrient management among farmers. The initiative is promoted by a coalition of more than 50 public and private agricultural stakeholders and conservation NGOs.

The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll is an annual survey of Iowa farmers. The survey project collects and disseminates information on issues of importance to farmers and agricultural stakeholders across Iowa and the Midwest. Except for 2019, the Farm Poll has been conducted every year since its establishment in 1982, and is the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation. The project is supported by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station.

The 2021 Farm Poll questionnaires were mailed in February to a statewide panel of 1,781 farmers. Completed surveys were received from 1,095 farmers, resulting in a response rate of 61.5%.

This year’s survey contained questions about community vitality, the impacts of COVID-19, renewable energy, carbon markets, perspectives on the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, and use of various media for information and entertainment.

The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll is an annual survey of Iowa farmers. The survey project collects and disseminates information on issues of importance to farmers and agricultural stakeholders across Iowa and the Midwest. Except for 2019, the Farm Poll has been conducted every year since its establishment in 1982, and is the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation. The project is supported by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station.

The 2020 survey focused on a range of issues including changes in quality of life and farm financial well-being, economic and policy dimensions of commodity production, awareness of and interest in prairie strips, farmers’ perspectives on climate change, use of communications technology, and well water testing.

Survey results for the 2018 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll discuss quality of life and farm financial well-being, rented land and who leads conservation efforts on rented land, and how the use of conservation practices has changed from 2016 to 2018. It also examines farmer attitudes on precision agriculture.

Survey results for the 2017 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll discuss weed and herbicide resistance management, soil health, use of small grains in extended rotations, the influence of agricultural stakeholders on farmers' decisions and decision making among multiple farm operators.

Survey results for the 2016 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll discuss conservation practice use, changes in farming practices and strategies and monarch butterfly conservation. Information sources farmers trust is also examined.

Survey results for the 2015 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll concern soil health, changes in farm practices and strategies, conservation practice use and monarch butterfly conservation. Questions focused on soil conservation efforts and their perceptions of those practices.

This report summarizes the results of the 2014 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll - an annual survey of farmers on issues important to rural Iowa since 1982.

Topics highlighted: the next generation of farmers, farm family succession plans, opinions about retirement decisions, use of professional advisers for agricultural decision making (i.e., fertilizer program development, pest and crop disease management, soil and water conservation), the use of information technology, and rural quality of life.

This report presents survey results from the 2014 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll focused on farmer perspectives on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, a science and technology-based approach used to assess and reduce nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways, the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The intended purpose is to help stakeholders in the agricultural community and beyond understand where farmers stand on the nutrient reduction strategy to inform outreach actions.

Survey results for the 2014 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll concern farmers’ perceptions on pesticide resistance. Questions focused on farmer experience with resistant weeds and rootworms, concern about resistance, use of various resistance management practices, and the perceived effectiveness of those practices.

This report summarizes the results of the 2013 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll - an annual survey on issues important to rural Iowa since 1982.

Topics highlighted: climate change, rented land, herbicide-resistant weeds, Bt-resistant corn rootworm, soil health and compaction.

The 2012 Summary Report of the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll includes data gathered from Iowa farm families related to rural communities. Topics covered include land values, quality of life, agricultural information, uses of communication technology, concern about resistance in pests, and certified conservation farmers.

Learn how research on cover crops as a means toward maintaining and increasing soil productivity, also reduce agriculture's environmental impacts.

Based on data from the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll 2010 Summary Report.

This report summarizes the results of the 2011 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll - an annual survey on issues important to rural Iowa since 1982. Topics highlighted: climate change, conservation, agricultural drainage, internet use, balancing budgets and what is in a name.

Highlights from the 2010 farm and rural life poll include: community life and neighboring, changes in perceptions over time, population loss and agritourism.

As a supplement to the annual farm and rural life poll, this survey looks specifically at a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution which would create a dedicated fund called the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

Highlights from the 2009 farm and rural life poll include: the next generation of farmers, farm policy and commodity production, mixed livestock and grain farming, farming and food systems in rural communities, value-added agriculture, targeted conservation, nutrient removal wetlands, and personal and financial well-being.

Highlights from the 2008 farm poll include discussion of quality of life, financial well-being, and community satisfaction and vitality. Population changes in rural communities also is presented.

This report on grain transportation and storage in Iowa is one of three supplemental publications that expand on the data collected in the 2007 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

This report on the views of Iowa farmers on the bioeconomy is one of three supplemental publications that expand on the data collected in the 2007 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

This report on the nature of farm businesses in Iowa is one of three supplemental publications that expand on the data collected in the 2007 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

Data collected in the 2007 survey of 1,000 Iowa farmers provide insight into their opinions on where the bioeconomy is headed. Supplemental reports available on this web site provide additional detail.

Report on Iowa farmers' opinions on energy costs, quality of life, relations with neighbors, environmental quality related to livestock operations, Internet access and use, and more.

The 2005 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll asked questions including future governmental support through the Farm Bill, the price of farmland, incentives for conservation, farm succession, state-level economic development programs, methamphetamine production and addiction, and the ability of ISU Extension to meet farmers’ needs.

Results of the 2004 farm and rural life poll regarding health insurance, future of farming, tax policy, water quality, and philanthropy.

Results of the 2004 farm and rural life poll regarding quality of life.

Find out what more than 2,000 rural, non-farm Iowans think about the social and economic climate in the state.

Highlights include opinions on community well-being, quality of life, and sense of community. Questions were also asked about biotechnology, food safety, GMOs, and more.

Survey results from almost 2,000 farmers in 2002 regarding crop and livestock issues and quality of life in Iowa.

Highlights regarding community and economic development, among other survey questions, as reported in this 2001 summary.

Survey results from nearly 5,000 farmers in 2000 highlighted the following topics: biotechnology, food safety and health, transgenic hybrids, average distance traveled to obtain services (business, community, etc.), recreational and leisure activities, minority and immigrant issues, alternative livestock production, financial conditions, and quality of life.

Results of the 1999 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll with the primary focus on how farm families are coping with current conditions and what they expect in the next decade.

Results of the 1998 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll; highlights include information technology on Iowa farms, opinions on economic development, ranking of state and national issues, precision farming, quality of life, and issues surrounding the livestock industry.

Results of the 1997 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll regarding risk, health issues, perceptions of well-being, job and work satisfaction, perceived financial situation, new technologies, and off-farm employment.

Results of the 1996 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll regarding future of farming, farming satisfaction, community life and neighboring, quality of life, perceptions of financial conditions, evaluation of Extension, and threats to groundwater.

Survey results on commodity programs, pesticide use, quality of the farming life, community development, and more.

Learn what the annual survey of Iowa producers has to say in 1993 about issues impacting agriculture.

Survey results for the 1992 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll concern expansion of the livestock industry, state land ownership laws, farmers’ perceptions on quality of life, and farm financial conditions.