Iowa Public Radio - Radio Field Trips

Radio Field Trips

Welcome to "Radio Field Trips." This is where to go to find many of the feature stories you've heard on Iowa Public Radio, during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. As new stories are added they will be posted in descending order, by date. We want to hear your ideas for Radio Field Trips. Here's what we're looking for:

Iowans, the quirky to the quaint, the charming to the challenging, the heroes to the heartbreakers
Iowa Places, the hot spots to the wide spots in the road
Iowa Events, the highbrow to the lowbrow, the extraordinary to the ordinary

Please forward your suggestions by sending us an email. Our core beat is Iowa's 99 counties, our gear is packed, and we're ready to record.

Deere Family Organ 04-29-2008
A pipe organ, described as the largest residential organ in the Midwest, has just been rebuilt by the Levsen Organ Company near the Quad Cities. The antique instrument's "voice" has been returned to the way it sounded a century ago.

Wind Farm Visit 04-17-2008
Almost 3 decades after launching what was then Iowa’s largest wind turbine, a farm couple helps bring a new generation of wind power to Floyd County.

The Isiserettes 03-27-2008
The Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps, which descended from the Shriner's, is preparing to host their first national competition in Des Moines. We attend a practice session and a performance.

Olympic Dream 03-20-2008
Iowa gymnast Shawn Johnson and her two Chinese-born coaches are hard at work to join Team U.S.A. at the Beijing Olympics. To observe this unique relationship, we visit Chow's Gym where a star is born.

DeSoto Refuge Turns 50 03-10-2008
Iowa's premier national wildlife refuge on the Missouri River is a half-century old this year. We celebrate with nature sounds recorded for a new film that will premier at the DeSoto Visitor Center.

Wartime Wedding 02-26-2008
Although Iowa National Guard deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan are down significantly from the peak in 2004, families continue to be disrupted. We attended the wedding of Mike and Julee Bruce, who moved up their marriage to accommodate the war on terror.

Iowa Winter Tomatoes 02-20-2008
In the dark months of winter, a family business in western Iowa is growing a bumper tomato crop. It comes at a cost, in both stress and heating bills. We visit Hyponic Farms in Carroll, where February equals July for most backyard gardeners.

Them, Us and Wii 01-31-2008
The Nintendo Wii video game, having already won over younger generations, is now moving into retirement communities. Many older Iowans are embracing the technology, as a way to play sports, stay active and socialize.

Iowa's Hungry Feasting on Venison 01-22-2008
The HUSH program, Help Us Stop Hunger, has taken thousands of deer off the road and put the wild game on the dinner table for needy Iowans. Thanks to hunters, the DNR's tactic ends up being one of the state's most successful programs.

Iowans Produce New Delicacy 11-14-2007
Some of America's most famous chefs and restaurants are eagerly awaiting the latest creation from La Quercia Artisan Cured Meats, based in Norwalk. Having made their name with prosciutto, Herb and Kathy Eckhouse are now marketing acorn-fed pork.

The Mississippi Belle II 10-11-2007
The Mississippi Belle II ended 16 years of riverboat gambling in Iowa, with an historic trip on Oct. 10th, from Clinton. Iowa Public Radio was there, along with hundreds of passengers, for the nostalgic cruise.