Rod, who has been a member of the editorial staff of Wallaces Farmer magazine since 1976, was appointed editor of the magazine in April 2003. He is widely recognized around the state, especially for his articles on crop production and soil conservation topics, and has won several writing awards, in addition to honors from farm, commodity and conservation organizations.

"As only the tenth person to hold the position of Wallaces Farmer editor in the past 100 years, I take seriously my responsibility to provide readers with timely articles useful to them in their farming operations," Rod says.

Raised on a farm that is still owned and operated by his family, Rod enjoys writing and interviewing farmers and others involved in agriculture, as well as planning and editing the magazine. You can also find Rod at other Penton Agriculture activities where he has responsibilities associated with the magazine, including hosting the Farm Progress Show, Hay & Forage Expo and the Iowa Master Farmer program.

A University of Illinois grad with a Bachelors of Science degree in agriculture (ag journalism major), Rod joined Wallaces Farmer after working several years in Washington D.C. as a writer for Farm Business Incorporated.

Rod has served on several committees in support of Des Moines Public Schools, is active in his church and with the Boy Scouts of America. He served on the Board of Governors of Living History Farms for 15 years, and was active on the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council board for 8 years. Rod recently served 8 years on the board of directors of Wallace Centers of Iowa.

Contributing Editors for Wallaces Farmer :