Rick Kimberley and his son Grant tend to their corn fields on their family farm in Polk County, Iowa. This farm, located near Des Moines, represents more than just a place where crops grow it symbolizes decades of agricultural tradition and a deep connection between American and Chinese farmers. The Kimberley family has cultivated their land for five generations, nurturing corn and soybeans while also fostering international friendships that stretch back over 40 years.
The Kimberley farm stands as a typical example of Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage: towering grain bins, green John Deere tractors, and well-organized fields planted with corn and soybeans. What sets it apart is its close link to China. In northern Hebei Province, a China-U.S. Friendship Demonstration Farm was established, modeled after the Kimberley operation, showcasing how cooperation between farmers and policymakers from both nations can promote best agricultural practices and sustainability.
Rick Kimberley sees this collaboration as vital. “That helped build relationships and also allowed us to learn from each other about agriculture, best practices, sustainability,” he says. These exchanges have enriched both sides, creating opportunities for shared knowledge and innovation.
Despite these positive ties, recent years have brought challenges to farmers like Rick. The re-imposition of tariffs during the Trump administration’s trade disputes hit agricultural markets hard. “Some of those tariffs got surprisingly high,” Rick notes. “I think we all knew that wasn’t going to be realistic or sustainable.” For farmers, tariffs add an unpredictable variable that can dramatically affect profitability.
Farming is a demanding endeavor, Rick explains, involving factors both within and beyond a farmer’s control. Weather, droughts, and natural disasters can disrupt the harvest, but so can tariffs and shifting trade policies. Managing expenses, strategizing crop choices, and anticipating market trends are crucial to staying afloat, yet external forces often cause fluctuations in commodity prices that make profit margins tight.
“Profit always feels tight,” Rick admits. “So we have to grow more bushels per acre to stay ahead.” This year, the Kimberleys planted about 65 percent corn and 35 percent soybeans a slight shift toward corn, reflecting ongoing decisions about how to best respond to market demand.
Trade tensions have made planning difficult. “Things like tariffs really affect our markets, and that’s something we can’t control,” Rick says. The uncertainty has been a source of frustration, but the recent trade agreement reached in Geneva between the United States and China has brought some optimism.
“I’m really, really happy that we didn’t let this drag on for months without talks,” Rick says. “It was great to see both sides come together. We’d like to see free and open trade especially in agriculture.” Farmers like Rick are ready to face the challenges, but they hope for a resolution soon, ideally before the next harvest.
Grant Kimberley, Rick’s son and the farm’s future leader, shares his father’s hope. Agriculture has always been a tough business, with hard work and uncontrollable challenges, but trade disputes add an extra layer of complexity. Grant also works as senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association and has made over 25 trips to China, a key market for Iowa soybeans.
Through these visits, Grant has gained a deep understanding of the Chinese market, culture, and people. He sees agriculture as a vital bridge connecting the two countries. “I’ve met with Chinese officials, farmers and processors. What strikes me is how much we can learn from each other whether in sustainability, efficiency, or technology. Both sides have something to offer.”
He emphasizes that tariffs on food and agriculture ultimately harm consumers and producers alike. “We’d really like to see this resolved so we can all work together,” Grant says.
The recent signals of progress in trade talks give both Rick and Grant hope. “It’s important to find common ground solutions both sides can accept,” Grant explains. A stable trading relationship benefits farmers, businesses, and consumers on both sides of the Pacific. For the Kimberleys, and many others, agriculture is more than just a livelihood; it is a window for building understanding, cooperation, and mutual growth between nations.
