Iowa State forums and displays addressed the present and future of farming at the Iowa Farm and Field Fest. The show runs through today at the Ziel family farm west of Ames.

Forums presented by Iowa State faculty have been well-received, said John Hendel, show manager for Cygnus Enterprises, the Burnsville, Minn. company that managed the show.

The event allowed for discussion on many of the issues important to farmers today.

“We have a wide range of topics, from economics to livestock odors to horticulture,” said Donald Lewis, professor of entomology. “It’s a chance for us to listen to ideas and suggestions from the people who are in attendance.”

About 75 people sat in the forum tent for the presentation, “Is there a future in farming?”

Fred Kirschenmann, director of the Leopold Center, explained issues that will challenge farmers in the next 25 years, such as population growth, energy sources and food security.

While considering the future, farmers have to deal with economic challenges in the present, he said.

“We are beginning to see a dramatic change in the structure of agriculture,” Kirschenmann said.

“We’re seeing the [middle-size farms] disappear.”

Currently, the 80 percent of Iowa farmers on mid-sized farms, farms with 200 to 800 acres, can’t pay farming expenses without getting bigger or seeking off-farm incomes, he said.

“I happen to think that’s not good. That’s not healthy,” Kirschenmann said. “Iowa farms reach their peak production at 600 acres.”

An audience member asked Kirschenmann to respond to the argument Iowans should stop producing crops and import food from other countries. Countries such as China, Brazil and Argentina can produce food for less, but there are other factors to consider, Kirschenmann said.

“We should be enabling people to feed themselves in their own geographical area,” he said.

After listening to the forum, Kevin Dezwarte, graduate student in agriculture economics, said he still didn’t see a solution to the problems farmers face.

Dezwarte said he considered the costs involved and made a business decision not to pursue a career in production agriculture.

“My family farms,” Dezwarte said. “I don’t plan to go back, for some of the reasons he talked about.”

Agriculture is a different industry for his generation, Dezwarte said.

Visitors to the ISU Extension displays had questions about organic agriculture and grape production, said Elaine Edwards, communications manager for continuing education and communication services.

“People are interested in new ways of marketing their ag products,” she said.

Michael White, field specialist for ISU Extension, said vineyards can provide supplemental income for struggling farmers.

“Sustainable agriculture is often synonymous with diversified agriculture,” White said. “This can be a part of a diversified farm.”