I was honored to photograph the “Fed Up: Fertilizer Cartel Profits off Farmers’ Backs” hearing for the Iowa Corn Growers Association last week in Ogden, Iowa. This was a particularly meaningful assignment because it brought together more than 170 farmers from 13 states to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing American agriculture today: the rising cost of fertilizer and concerns about competition and consolidation in the fertilizer market.

The keynote speaker was USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen A. Vaden, who addressed the farmers and then led a lively panel discussion featuring agricultural leaders sharing their firsthand experiences. The meeting came as federal agencies investigate concerns about fertilizer pricing and potentially anticompetitive practices. Farmers and farm organizations have pointed to fertilizer prices that, according to the Iowa Corn Growers Association, have doubled—and at times tripled—since 2020. The Federal Trade Commission also opened an investigation into the fertilizer industry earlier this year.

What made the event especially impressive was the nationwide representation. Farmers and agricultural leaders were supported and represented by organizations including the Colorado Corn Council, Georgia Corn Growers Association, Illinois Corn, Kansas Corn, Kansas Wheat, Kentucky Corn, Michigan Corn, Minnesota Corn, Missouri Corn, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, Ohio Corn & Wheat, South Carolina Corn and Soybean Association, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, South Dakota Wheat Growers Association, Texas Corn Producers and Wisconsin Corn.

For this assignment, I brought along two Nikon Z9 bodies, with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 and Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8, respectively, along with a Viltrox 14mm f/4 for the super-wide environmental shots. I also brought my DJI Mini 3 Pro drone to capture aerial perspectives of Mark Muench Farms, where the event took place…..

As a Charleston event photographer, I regularly travel throughout the country to photograph corporate events, conferences, meetings, galas and agricultural programs. Assignments like this are a great example of why I love being a destination event photographer. I get to meet fascinating people, visit new places and document important conversations that extend far beyond the event itself.

The “Fed Up” hearing was an important gathering for the farmers in attendance, and I was proud to be there with my cameras to help tell their story.