The first issue of Farm News appeared 30 years ago.

To put that in perspective, consider this. When that first issue hit subscribers’ mailboxes, Bill Clinton was the president, social media did not exist, the emerging internet was often referred to as the “information superhighway” and cell phones were only slightly smaller than shoeboxes.

Yes, a few things have changed since then. The world of agriculture, nationally and in Iowa, changed significantly, too.

What hasn’t changed is the steady presence and thorough reporting of Farm News.

The paper has provided excellent coverage of all things related to agriculture for the past three decades. Its readers have been informed and entertained by its content, issue after issue after issue.

That high standard was set by the first editor, Bill Rentsch, and was continued by his successors, including Randy Mudgett, Larry Kershner, and Kriss Nelson.

Reporting all the news, writing the stories and taking the photos has always been a team effort, and Farm News is fortunate to have a group of writers that has been with the paper almost since its beginning. They are Darcy Dougherty Maulsby, Karen Schwaller, Kristen Danley Greiner, Clayton Rye and Lori Berglund. Readers can learn a little bit more about them in this issue of Farm News.

With 30 years of proven success to build on, the team at Farm News is prepared to continue serving the paper’s readers. Farm News subscribers can expect to continue getting accurate news on everything from federal farm policy to new equipment. They can continue to expect fascinating and entertaining feature stories. And they can continue to expect special publications featuring barns, farmhouses and Century Farms.

For Farm News readers and team members alike, a bright future awaits.