EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2023

through livestock yards, and trekked through acres
of corn, soybeans, and other crops to capture the
essence of the eastern Iowa farming experience.
“Through this collection of photographs, you
will see area farming through our lens,” said Till,
who is Sycamore Media’s creative director. “Putting
a familiar face on agriculture issues connects
people in our community.”
Over the years, the magazine has tackled a range
of issues from legacy planning and soil health to
how farmers settled Eastern Iowa and how to find
resilience in the face of adversity.
Mayfield grew up on what was then a 97-acre
grain farm in west central Indiana and has many
early memories of the farm where his parents still
live. He pulled his first disc with an Oliver 1850
when he was about 12. The magazine allows him
to combine his love of the rural lifestyle with
journalism.
Till grew up on a farm in Nashville, Iowa, and
she has fond memories of horseback riding and
raising miniature horses and goats. She loves
working in the area where she grew up and her
family has strong ag roots.
The MAE is a non-profit organization established
in 2008 and located downtown. MAE is
dedicated to arts education, fostering an appreciation
of the arts and to building community by
engaging the residents of Maquoketa and surrounding
areas in diverse creative activities. n
eifarmer.com FALL 2023 | EASTERN IOWA FARMER 79