It’s the end of the year. The days are short, nights long, and memories in full abundance. Looking back, I’ve got a lot to be thankful for this year.

I remember back in the spring a multinational corporation worth billions of dollars didn’t get its way at our statehouse. Bayer, the maker of Roundup, wanted to make it nigh impossible for us to take them to court if we got sick from using their products. Iowans from all walks of life came together and defeated Bayer’s “Cancer Gag Act.”

Another big-money bigwig closer to home who hasn’t got his way yet is Bruce Rastetter. Iowa CCI members and folks up in Mitchell and Worth counties have passed ordinances, resolutions, and objections to his pesky CO2 pipeline project. Just a few weeks back the Mitchell County Conservation Board filed a formal objection to the pipeline with the Iowa Utilities Commission.

For months, the Conservation Board had denied Summit access to survey land in the Nelson Paradise Wildlife Area. They stated the land was acquired for conservation, not the use of private industry, and pipeline construction would “significantly and irreversibly disrupt sensitive habitat, alter hydrology, and threaten the species that the area was specifically established to protect.”

Iowans, rural and urban, came together and spoke up for our public schools. CCI’s Public School Strong leaders got resolutions passed by school boards in Belmond-Klemme, Bennett, Albia, Decorah, and Keokuk. These resolutions call on our legislature to fully fund public schools at a 5% increase in state supplemental aid and gradually phase out the private school vouchers. Public money should be used for the public good.

And as the holiday season drew nearer, our city streets and town squares were lit up and bustling with activity. We had Holiday Hop in Winterset. Communities across the state held festival of lights celebrations, and soup suppers held in churches, American Legion halls, assisted living facilities, and more. The other night my little country church held its annual ‘Candlelight Service’ to celebrate the arrival of the Baby Jesus.

What strikes me, but doesn’t surprise me, about all these things I’m thankful for is what they share in common – community. We all care about the people and places we hold dear. We look out for each other. And we want our neighborhoods and towns to thrive.

If you watch too much tv or only listen to the news, you’d think this was a state and nation in chaos, at each other’s throats, and wanting harm to befall our neighbors. That’s simply not true. Sure, things are far from perfect. But we’re not as fractured as some politicians and media types would lead us to believe.

As I look back on the past year, I’m thankful for community. For everyday people of all backgrounds, abilities, and political persuasion coming together and taking action for each other and the things that make strong communities. And, since I can’t keep my eyes off commodity prices, I’m thankful I can still afford to drink coffee.

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Barb Kalbach is a fourth generation family farmer,

retired registered nurse, and member of Iowa Citizens

for Community Improvement. She can be reached at

barbnealkalbach@gmail.com.