Kira Zalan, a writer for U.S. News & World Report, called looking for an expert to comment on the Obama administration's report on "Jobs and Economic Security in Rural America." Bruce Babcock, CARD director and professor of economics, returned the call.

William Edwards was interviewed by KWMT radio in Ft. Dodge about flexible cash rent leases.

Chad Hart received several calls and requests for interviews concerning the latest USDA reports showing less corn and soybean production this year: Fran Howard, AgWeb.com; Dan Pillar, Des Moines Register; William Neuman, New York Times; Bethany Pint, Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman; Kathleen Masterson, Iowa Public Radio; Adriene Hill, "Marketplace," American Public Media.

Matt Wilde with the Waterloo Courier talked to Hart about a recent USDA crops report and possible market impacts.

Chad Hart also spoke with Kara Newman, a writer finishing up a book project about the history of agricultural commodities. She asked him about how trading of commodities affects what we eat and what we pay for food. The book, titled  The Secret Financial Life of Food, will be published by Columbia University Press.

Peter Orazem was interviewed by Kai Ryssdal of Marketplace, Public Radio International, on leveraging jobs in rural areas. Click on the following link to listen to the interview: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/08/16/pm-leveraging-jobs-in-rural-areas/

Dave Swenson was interviewd by John Dimsdale of Marketplace, Public Radio International,on the economic impact of the Iowa caucuses and the NH primary. The interview has not yet been aired.

Information courtesy of Jackie King, ISU News Service.