Iowa Life

Explore the origin of a unique town festival, what it takes to restore farmland to prairie, and the launching of a printed newspaper that serves Black Iowans.

Visit a farmer who raises peacocks, meet a professor who hiked across the state to document historical changes in Iowa, and learn how one northeast Iowa organization helps immigrants and refugees.

Meet a juggler from southeast Iowa, join two churches who are building relationships through music, and follow four young women as they put together the largest student-run fashion show in the country.

Explore a public art display in Mason City, meet a world-renowned woodcarver and visit a summer camp dedicated to teaching kids rock ’n’ roll music.

Learn how the emerald ash borer is impacting Iowa neighborhoods, meet a comic book artist who is writing a new series aimed at kids, learn about an inspiring musician and dancer, and take a ride on a train in Missouri Valley.

Learn about the lyceum movement happening in central Iowa, meet a young couple whose love story is one for the history books, find out how volunteers support refugees in Des Moines, and meet a flower and vegetable farmer in Pleasantville.

Iowans celebrate the holidays in diverse ways. Meet the El Khatib family of Dubuque, celebrate Hanukkah with Rabbi Jacobson in Des Moines and enjoy an evening of Christmas music at the Corning Opera House.

Visit Byron’s Bar, a music venue in Pomeroy, meet Dasia Taylor, a student and inventor who is working to inspire the next generation of scientists, and learn how the Puppy Jake organization provides service dogs to veterans.

Meet a singer/songwriter in Clinton who helps people retrofit their homes, learn about Iowa’s Underground Railroad from a unique perspective and visit a cafe in Cedar Rapids that is providing fresh, healthy meals to those in need.

Meet three pioneers in the world of girls wrestling, visit the last remaining Ben Franklin store in Iowa, and meet Corey Ruby, a special effects makeup artist.

Find out how Iowa Bird Rehabilitation is working to preserve and rebuild Iowa’s bird population, visit a creative space for filmmakers in Marengo, and learn how the Christoffersons prioritize love and advocacy in their family.

Learn more about breakdancing from DSM Breakerz, watch three Tjernagel siblings recall the day an airplane crashed into their Story City farmhouse, and meet Gabriella Torres, an abstract artist and creative placemaker in Clinton.

Visit a statewide culinary competition for high school students, meet classically trained guitar builder Mike Marcovis, learn about equine-assisted therapy at Jester Park, and meet Chuck Behm who restores pianos at his Boone home.