Editor's Note: Coordinated Chaos

Coordinated Chaos

Summer has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute, we’re braving the final stretch of the school year, and the next, we’re knee-deep in sunscreen, sand, snack wrappers and those spontaneous “Mom, can we have a lemonade stand today?” moments. Calendars that were once color-coded with care now resemble a game of schedule Jenga — trying to fit in swim lessons, sports practices, playdates, family vacations and maybe a moment to catch our breath.

It’s a beautiful kind of chaos. The kind where memories are made — sticky popsicle fingers, spontaneous sprinkler runs and backyard dinners that stretch into the evening. It’s not always smooth or perfectly planned, but somehow, it all comes together.

That same spirit of controlled chaos plays out every day in a different corner of Iowa life — on our farms and in our food production facilities. While we’re juggling carpools and camp drop-offs, farmers are up before dawn,

watching the weather, troubleshooting equipment, managing livestock and navigating a dozen unpredictable variables. From droughts to downpours, market shifts to labor needs, their daily to-do lists are anything but routine.

And yet, just like our summer schedules, it all comes together. Because it must. Food doesn’t take a vacation. Livestock still need care. Crops still grow. Iowa’s farmers and producers are the ultimate multitaskers, balancing science, skill and instinct with a deep-rooted commitment to feeding and caring for others. It’s a different kind of chaos, but one that serves our families and communities every single day.

In this issue of Fresh Pickings, we’re embracing the hustle of summer and shining a light on the people who manage their version of summer madness with remarkable grace and grit. From the sweet corn at your picnic table to the beef sizzling on your grill, we invite you to celebrate the hardworking hands behind the food — and slow down just long enough to savor it.

Here’s to a summer full of flavor, fun and a little well-coordinated chaos.

Enjoy the issue, Lydia Zerby