In a few hours, 2010 will be in the record books. That makes today an especially good time to reflect on the year that is about to end.

By any measure, 2010 has been a year with extraordinary events – nationally and in the Hawkeye State. Many of the developments in rural Iowa have importance not only for the agricultural community, but the entire state. This issue of Farm News includes a 2010 Year in Review section.

Regular readers of this newspaper will recognize that our newsroom team covered these stories thoroughly as they developed. Now, however, it is possible – with the perspective time affords – to see how each fits into the mosaic of a news-filled year.

Politics was front and center for much of 2010. Republicans nationally and here in the Hawkeye State made huge gains. Iowa voters returned to the governor’s chair former Gov. Terry Branstad. The GOP also took control of the Iowa House of Representatives and made major gains in the Iowa Senate. Just what those changes will mean for agriculture remains to be seen. Even the most casual observer understands that federal and state policies can have a big impact on the farm economy.

Local developments in 2010 that have potentially positive ramifications for rural Iowa include:

• The increase in farm land values;

• The evolution of the biofuels industries;

• Trade missions to grow overseas sales;

• The possible creation of power transmission capabilities that could boost the wind power industries and

• Trends that could impact grain and livestock prices.

There were also some major distressing occurrences in 2010. Widespread flooding and tainted-eggs scandal were among the negatives.

You can read about these key developments and much more in the special retrospective section.

The events of most interest and significance to individual readers will vary. Our mission as a newspaper specializing in the agricultural world is to bring news and information about an eclectic mix of topics to those who make Farm News part of their lives weekly. As 2011 unfolds, our commitment to being the region’s most-trusted source of such news will remain the top priority for our reporting team.