While driving down an East Texas country road I spotted this scene. The autumn trees and the late afternoon sun made these golden bales of hay shine just a little bit more. Fortunately I had my camera with me. (c) James Q. Eddy Jr.

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In the American Heartland, farmers are literally betting the farm to stay in business

NPR | By Kirk Siegler

Published April 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM CDT

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American farmers hope the Iran ceasefire holds and fertilizer and diesel start moving through the Strait of Hormuz soon, as row crop farmers go into their fourth straight planting season in the red.

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Kirk Siegler

As a correspondent on NPR's national desk, Kirk Siegler covers rural life, culture and politics from his base in Boise, Idaho.