In 2012 more than 56% of Iowa’s farmland was owned by people over the age of 65 with many of them questioning just what will happen to their land after their gone. In order to help waylay fears and answer questions about transitioning land to the younger generation Iowa Public Radio has partnered with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Beginning Farmer Center to present Map of My Kingdom which is a one-act play that plows through questions about land ownership and inheritance. The main character, a mediator in land transition disputes, works her way through various scenarios ranging from the alienation of family members while in other situations they use teamwork to build thoughtful solutions. The drama was written by ISU Professor Mary Swander who says the play highlights the issues of aging farmers and encourages discussion about the land transfer process in Iowa. The performance of Map of My Kingdom is free and open to the public and will be held at 7:00 pm on Friday, January 29, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. There is no cost to attend the play and it includes a discussion hosted by Iowa Public Radio’s Amy Mayer. The ISU Extension Beginning Farmer Center’s sessions are scheduled for January 29 and 30. For more information visit the ISU Extension website.
