Charity Nebbe

Eating a ripe tomato fresh from the garden is one of the true pleasures of summer, but growing tomatoes can be challenging — especially if your plants get hit by disease. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk about tomatoes and their many diseases with Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician with the Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Then, horticulturist Aaron Steil joins us to answer listener questions.

Losing the ability to drive can mean that an older person can no longer live independently. On this episode, we talk about aging, driving and how to know when it's time to stop. We hear from Justin Mason, associate research scientist at the University of Iowa's Driving Safety Research Institute, and Anne Dickerson, director of the research for Older Adult Driver Initiative (ROADI) at East Carolina University, about what happens to our driving abilities as we age and making plans to stop driving. We also talk with John McCurdy, executive director of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council about alternative forms of transportation and maintaining independence.

A new documentary from an Iowa-connected director provides an intimate look at the life of the late poet Mary Oliver.

Clinton artists Gabi Torres and Chris Shannon have helped put the city of Clinton on the map with their annual Paint it Back event. Starting as an effort to activate a vacant building with artists' murals near the Mississippi River in 2023 has gotten bigger each year, with an art market, live music, kids activities and more. For its fourth year, they’re moving west to downtown with a mission to make this its biggest year ever. We talk with co-founder Gabi Torres, Paint it Back Board President Matt Parbs on the impact its had on the Clinton community, and Colorado-based artist James Foster, aka East, who has taken part in the event since its second year. Then, a new art installation on the pond at Wilson's Orchard in Cumming appears as a quilt, and absorbs excess nitrates from the water. We talk with its creators, Drake University professors Emily Newman and Edward Kelley. They co-founded the Parts Per Million Collective, an art collaboration that addresses climate change through art.

One of the perennial questions we field is when to plant grass seed. The answer is right now. On this episode we talk with Iowa State University turfgrass specialist Adam Thoms about seeding and overseeding your lawn. We also talk about the fall lawn chores you should have on your horizon.

On this episode, we meet the Lobe Rangers, three Iowa farmers from who are frustrated with how few of their fellow farmers have implemented conservation practices. We learn about their vision for a more sustainable future for Iowa. Then, 'Talk of Iowa' Summer School continues with agriculture teacher Anna Brooks. She makes the farm to table process a focus of her classes.

It’s state fair season and the Iowa State Fair has a competition for everything from biggest boar to longest beard to the best pie. But one contest puts people’s knowledge of backyard weeds to the test. We hear from the participants at the Iowa State Fair Weed Identification Contest.

One of the perennial questions we field on Horticulture Day is when to plant grass seed. The answer is right now. On this episode, we talk with Iowa State University turfgrass specialist Adam Thoms about seeding and overseeding your lawn. We also talk about the fall lawn chores you should have on your horizon. Then, horticulturist Aaron Steil also joins us to answer listener questions.

The Loess Hills in Western Iowa were shaped by wind. It's a rare and rugged landscape that is home to some of the largest tracts of native prairie in the state. On this episode, we learn about the new Loess Hills Hiking Guide, which highlights 20 places to hike and explore. We talk with its creator Seth Brooks of Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development and Tyler Ruge of Monona County Conservation about why these landforms are so unique and how access has improved. Jason Taylor of the Bur Oak Land Trust also joins us to talk about how prescribed burns have shaped the Loess Hills. Then, he shares some common nature misconceptions.

The vast majority of Americans engage with some kind of social media. Some of it is wonderful, some is terrible and its definitely habit forming. On this episode, we talk about how social media affects the lives and mental health of teenagers and adults. We also discuss realistic ways we can set boundaries with technology, limit our screentime and focus on our physical reality. (This show was originally produced Jan. 20, 2026.)