Part 2/16:
Life in Iowa revolves around agriculture. The landscape is dotted with grain elevators instead of skyscrapers, and over 20 million acres of cropland — mainly corn and soybeans — define the region. Swanson describes the soil as remarkably fertile, a product of glacial movement and the rich Prairie Pothole soils, which contribute to Iowa’s reputation as America's breadbasket. Despite the visual prosperity, farmers face stark economic realities beneath the lush veneer.