Craig Griffune

A little over a week ago, on May 5th, LaVon and Craig were babysitting two of their six granddaughters.

A little over a week ago, on May 5th, LaVon and Craig were babysitting two of their six granddaughters.

A little over a week ago, on May 5th, LaVon and Craig were babysitting two of their six granddaughters.

Levon and Craig are farmers. Craig is the fifth generation to live on this family farm. It's pretty big, 1,100 plus acres just north of Des Moines in Iowa. And in addition to raising chickens, they have pigs and sheep and turkeys and also something called limousine cattle.

Levon and Craig are farmers. Craig is the fifth generation to live on this family farm. It's pretty big, 1,100 plus acres just north of Des Moines in Iowa. And in addition to raising chickens, they have pigs and sheep and turkeys and also something called limousine cattle.

Levon and Craig are farmers. Craig is the fifth generation to live on this family farm. It's pretty big, 1,100 plus acres just north of Des Moines in Iowa. And in addition to raising chickens, they have pigs and sheep and turkeys and also something called limousine cattle.

They come from France.

They come from France.

They come from France.

Levon and Craig sell their corn and soybeans to a food processor. That processor exports to international buyers. So, like many in the farming industry, Craig and Levon have helped court those international trade deals.

Levon and Craig sell their corn and soybeans to a food processor. That processor exports to international buyers. So, like many in the farming industry, Craig and Levon have helped court those international trade deals.

Levon and Craig sell their corn and soybeans to a food processor. That processor exports to international buyers. So, like many in the farming industry, Craig and Levon have helped court those international trade deals.

All this courting of international buyers in general has paid off. Iowa exports billions of dollars in soybeans and other crops every year.

All this courting of international buyers in general has paid off. Iowa exports billions of dollars in soybeans and other crops every year.

All this courting of international buyers in general has paid off. Iowa exports billions of dollars in soybeans and other crops every year.

That has meant less demand for LeVon and Craig's grains. And that really drove down the price per bushel that they can earn.

That has meant less demand for LeVon and Craig's grains. And that really drove down the price per bushel that they can earn.

That has meant less demand for LeVon and Craig's grains. And that really drove down the price per bushel that they can earn.

Soybeans were down, too. Basically, neither crop would net a profit if they sold their harvest on that day. But they do have a way to wait out the market's volatility, at least for a little while.

Soybeans were down, too. Basically, neither crop would net a profit if they sold their harvest on that day. But they do have a way to wait out the market's volatility, at least for a little while.