Harvest Public Media

Harvest Public Media is a reporting collaboration focused on issues of food, fuel and ﬁeld. Based at KCUR in Kansas City, Harvest covers these agriculture-related topics through an expanding network of reporters and partner stations throughout the Midwest.Most Harvest Public Media stories begin with radio- regular reports are aired on member stations in the Midwest. But Harvest also explores issues through online analyses, television documentaries and features, podcasts, photography, video, blogs and social networking. They are committed to the highest journalistic standards. Click here to read their ethics standards.Harvest Public Media was launched in 2010 with the support of a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Today, the collaboration is supported by CPB, the partner stations, and contributions from underwriters and individuals.Tri States Public Radio is an associate partner of Harvest Public Media. You can play an important role in helping Harvest Public Media and Tri States Public Radio improve our coverage of food, field and fuel issues by joining the Harvest Network.

My Farm Roots - Wings

Tri States Public Radio | By Donna Vestal

Published July 3, 2013 at 12:00 PM CDT

Kelly Hagler, 25, is among the millions of young people who have left rural communities for the bright lights of the city, in this case Chicago.

But her family is never far from her thoughts. Hagler grew up on a 1,000 acre farm in Bethany in northwest Missouri.

“My dad is a character. He is straight out of a movie. He's this rugged dude with the cutoff plaid shirt, his belt buckle and his Wranglers and his cowboy boots, and his Winston Light hanging out of his mouth,” she said.

And her mom, a city administrator? Hagler says she helps bind them all together.

“Mom is a carpenter, and is sensitive and a cook,” Hagler said. “She is like the ultimate lady to me. “

Hagler left her family and the farm for an urban area that offers more opportunities. But the longer she is away from them, it seems, the more she questions where she belongs.

This is the fifth installment of the 2013 edition of My Farm Roots, Harvest Public Media’s series chronicling Americans’ connection to the land. You can read the entire story and listen to it onHarvest Public Media’s website.