Media
Overview
Evolution of the Heartland has a desire to help tell the story of rural Iowa to a variety of people unfamiliar with agriculture and rural Iowa. To do this, we partner with influencers who have a similar target audience and mission to revitalize rural Iowa. We will select several influencers to partner with. We also provide media credentials for editorial representatives from accredited news media outlets. Influencers and media must register in advance using the online registration form below.
Those registered by July 15, 2024, will receive a credentials packet by mail. Requests received after that date will be held for pick-up at registration.
Call for Influencers
Are you a blogger, content creator, or a digital storyteller? Apply to participate in the next Evolution of the Heartland.
Do not miss the opportunity to help tell the story of the ‘evolution of the heartland’ by capturing beautiful photo/video content, writing engaging blog posts and news articles, or sharing these stories in other creative ways.
You can be selected to become our next contributor for the Evolution of the Heartland.
Interact with local farmers, entrepreneurs, and innovators as well as Iowa’s leaders and next generation of leaders who are changing Iowa’s landscape. Share your story with your community of fans and help us revitalize rural Iowa.
To Apply
- Send us your resume/CV
- Send us a creative sample
- Share your social platforms/website links
- Email us at info@evolutionoftheheartland.com
2024 Influencers
Scott Siepker
Scott Siepker is an actor, writer, producer, and filmmaker. Scott started off as a stage actor at Iowa State University, where he received his bachelor degree in psychology. Scott has gone on to co-found the film company, Iowa Filmmakers, which has been responsible for the Iowa Nice series of hit videos that included a two season run on ESPNU’s College Football Daily. Though Scott is best known for his work as the Iowa Nice Guy, he is a versatile, veteran actor of stage and screen, drama and comedy.
Kim Reiner
With a background of two decades in journalism, nonprofit marketing, public relations, and social media, Kim Reiner knows there’s more than one way to communicate with an audience. For more than 11 years, she’s been writing Oh My! Omaha, growing it to become a valuable and free resource for Midwest-based travelers looking for their next adventure. She’s written one book, Lost Restaurants of Omaha, and contributed to several others. She lives in Omaha with her husband and two kids, who have all learned to wait to eat a meal until Mom has taken a picture.
Michelle Marine
Michelle Marine, a writer, photographer, and entrepreneur based in Eastern Iowa, is the creator of Simplify, Live, Love—a lifestyle blog dedicated to eco-conscious families. Living on a five-acre hobby farm, Michelle shares her expertise in eco-friendly living, modern homesteading, and sustainable travel, inspired by her childhood in Germany and global travels with her Air Force husband. Simplify, Live, Love offers practical advice on sustainable living, farm-to-table recipes, gardening tutorials, and travel adventures, encouraging families to focus on health, sanity, and environmental impact. Michelle is also the Creative Content Director at Oak Tree Homes and a published author, with her book “How to Raise Chickens for Meat” available at major retailers.
Mary Pat Sass/ Jena Ochsner
Jena & Mary Pat, farmwives with a shared love for family, farm, and community, bring humor, heart, and wisdom to their podcast “Beyond The Crops.” They delve into the joys and challenges of rural life, from modern farming techniques to balancing family and farm duties, all while sharing cherished recipes and traditions. Their stories inspire appreciation for the beauty of everyday life on the land, making their podcast a delight for anyone who values hard work, resilience, and the simple joys of a rural connection.
Shelby Smith
Shelby Smith, hails from Ames, Iowa, where she grew up on a family farm. An active youth, she played numerous sports, including college basketball in Philadelphia. Following college, Shelby joined the Sport Changes Life program in Ireland, where she played and coached basketball, earned an MSC in Finance from Trinity College Dublin, and worked at the National Bank of Canada. Unsatisfied with banking, she returned to Iowa in 2017, assisted with the harvest, and began Gym-N-Eat Crickets. Now residing in Collins, Iowa, Shelby manages her cricket farm, enjoys hiking, biking, running, and weightlifting. She also hosts the podcast “Building in a Small Town,” featuring entrepreneurs, community leaders, policy makers, and more who are building things in communities of 10,000 or less.
Sarah Davis
Sarah is an adventurous spirit who has lived in China, moved across the U.S., and pursued diverse hobbies, including outdoor rock climbing. Despite this, she was ver cautious about her career until her father’s passing prompted her to resign from an unfulfilling job. This led to creating “Breathing Wind,” a podcast and community dedicated to de-stigmatizing grief and loss through authentic conversations. The podcast’s success inspired Sarah to go full-time into podcast production and coaching. Now based in Des Moines, she enjoys exploring local spots and continues to thrive in her mission to spread compassion and support through her work. Her latest podcast, “Warmly Iowa,” takes listeners on a journey of rediscovery, exploring the beauty and complexity of life in Iowa.
2023 Influencers
Darcy Maulsby
A fifth generation farmer and Iowa’s Storyteller, Darcy Maulsby is no stranger to rural Iowa. She grew up on a Century Farm in northwestern Iowa where her family grew corn and soybeans and had a farrow-to-finish hog operation. She was a child of the 1980’s farm crisis and was floundering about what to do when she decided to attend Central College in Pella, Iowa with a general communications major.
While she thought she had found her niche as an agricultural online editor, it was in the days of the dot.com crash in the early 2000s, and she was laid off. She decided to go back to the farm and has been there ever since, continuing to tell Iowa’s best stories.
Olio in Iowa
Megan, a Chicago native turned willing Iowan, has called Des Moines home for the past 15 years and embraced everything the Hawkeye State has to offer. In 2012, she started Olio in Iowa to explore her new hometown, which has since evolved into a blog documenting her roadside adventures and love for road-tripping. Megan has driven coast to coast, discovering unique small towns, roadside attractions, and “world’s largest” things, believing that getting there is half the fun. In addition to freelance writing for various organizations and outlets, she is a published author. Her first book, “Iowa Supper Clubs,” was released in August 2020, followed by “Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure” in September 2023.
Des Moines Parent
In April 2015, Erin Huiatt, mother of two and wife to Travis, acquired Des Moines Parent from its previous owner, Thomas Brogan. She aimed to expand and enhance this valuable resource for central Iowa parents. Erin serves on the board of the Des Moines Children’s Museum and is President of FemCity Des Moines. She is a dependable resource and a key connector for parents seeking support and connections within her community and beyond. Learn more about Erin and her journey in Des Moines, Iowa.
2022 Influencers
Darcy Maulsby
A fifth generation farmer and Iowa’s Storyteller, Darcy Maulsby is no stranger to rural Iowa. She grew up on a Century Farm in northwestern Iowa where her family grew corn and soybeans and had a farrow-to-finish hog operation. She was a child of the 1980’s farm crisis and was floundering about what to do when she decided to attend Central College in Pella, Iowa with a general communications major.
While she thought she had found her niche as an agricultural online editor, it was in the days of the dot.com crash in the early 2000s, and she was laid off. She decided to go back to the farm and has been there ever since, continuing to tell Iowa’s best stories.
Michelle Miller
Michelle’s journey is a fascinating one, from city fashionista to farm advocate. Raised in Wisconsin surrounded by agriculture, she initially pursued a career in fashion, working for Gucci and thriving in bustling cities. After traveling the world, yearning for her roots and a growing interest in food origins led her to embrace sustainable farming. She then spent nearly eight years living with a commercial farmer in Iowa, where “The Farm Babe” social media platform was born.
Michelle’s mission is to bridge the gap between consumers and farmers by debunking myths and providing unbiased education on modern agriculture. Now residing in Florida, she uses her podcast and platform to raise awareness and advocate for science-based practices in the agricultural industry. Michelle’s story is a testament to her passion for agriculture and her dedication to sharing the truth about our food system.
