A growing number of Iowa families are providing care to aging family members, according to a new report by AARP.

Why it matters: Caregivers can struggle with a number of ailments from the added stress, such as increased depression and anxiety, especially if they have another job.

• Around 53% of caregivers who provide unpaid care to an aging adult said their health declined and they suffered economic stress, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By the numbers: AARP's report on family caregivers, its first since the pandemic began, found that in Iowa, caregivers for aging relatives increased from 314,000 in 2019 to 330,000 in 2021.

• Iowa families spend an estimated 310 million hours annually assisting aging adults, according to the report.
• That equates to $5.2 billion in unpaid care, as the average pay for caregivers in the state is around $16.80 an hour.

State of play: The number one driver for the increase is changing demographics, Brad Anderson, Iowa's AARP state director, tells Axios.

• For the first time in U.S. history, people ages 65 and older will make up more of the population than those 18 and under by 2034.

Zoom in: Iowa also has a higher-than-average shortage of workers at its nursing homes, particularly in rural areas.

• Nearly 43% of Iowa nursing homes were experiencing shortages as of February. The national average is 22.9%.

What's next: Innovation will be necessary to help families balance their needs while ensuring their loved ones are cared for, Anderson says.

• AARP is currently piloting smart homes in Charles City that include technology to help caregivers check on their loved ones.

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Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) in downtown Des Moines is launching an indoor aquaponics system to grow tilapia.

Why it matters: The crops will help offset food expenses, with some being sold to supplement shelter programs.

• Plus, people residing at the shelter will assist with the operations, helping them learn new job skills.

Catch up fast: A group of churches formed what is today known as CISS about 30 years ago to assist people experiencing homelessness.

• Its current facilities have 207 beds, most of which are adjacent to more than four acres of flood-prone property.

What's happening: CISS' greenhouse is more than a decade old, but it recently expanded to add an aquaponics program, which filters fish waste that’s used for plant fertilizer in a pesticide-free cycle.

• The system is now in place and fish will be added in coming months. The cycle is expected to produce hundreds of market-sized tilapia each month.

Meanwhile, the property surrounding CISS is being developed into an "agrihood" — an urban area with farm production. Fruit and nut trees will be planted, while raised garden beds will be able to float, avoiding destruction when flooding occurs.

Driving the news: February marked the first month that lettuce was harvested from the new greenhouse space, Aaron Thormodsen, CISS' urban farm manager, tells Axios.

• More than 1,000 pounds were distributed to partners or sold to area businesses, he says.

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A DSM pastor faces sexual exploitation charges after allegedly exposing himself to a church member. (KCCI)

🛹 Skate DSM is giving away up to 300 free skateboards as well as protective gear to kids in grades K-8. (Business Record)

A woman was shot Saturday while walking along Forest Avenue and MLK Jr. Pkwy in Des Moines. Her injuries are non life-threatening. (WHO-13)

🏀 Iowa women's basketball beat Georgia Sunday and is advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament ( Hawk Central)

⭐️ Today's headline maker: Christine Marchand of Cumming.

A local business is turning beloved household candies on their heads.

Driving the news: Rebel Farms in Mitchellville is selling freeze-dried candy, including Skittles, peach rings and taffy.

• Freeze-drying the sweet snacks transforms their shape and texture, while also concentrating their flavor. The result is crispy, sweet candy.

Flashback: Owner Amber Turner first got into freeze-drying dog food, fruits and veggies for her own family — and then grew into selling them.

• One day, a woman asked for freeze-dried Skittles. Turner said no at first, but finally gave in after multiple requests.
• The Skittles were posted on Facebook and overnight, Turner had 400 orders.

The latest: Rebel Farms recently expanded into a two-story warehouse and says their customer base is rapidly growing, especially as freeze-dried candy trends on TikTok.

💬 Linh's thought bubble: They're whimsical, extra sweet and fun to share with friends!

Where to find it: Open 2-6pm, Monday-Friday at 123 Center Ave N., Mitchellville. Closed Tuesday and weekends. Online orders and delivery are also available.

👋 Jason here. I've been friends with DSM's John Sellers and his husband, Tom Helten, for decades.

• One perk of our friendship is access to their amazing backyard greenhouse.

Catch up fast: They use it to start plants not generally sold in commercial settings.

• 😇 Our group chitchats for months about what to start and then … J&T do all the work.

Zoom in: I'm most excited to help grow an aji charapita, the very small orange pepper native to Peruvian jungles used for seasoning.

• And this year's return of the tasty Russian-developed Paul Robeson tomato just makes me happy.

Open your greenhouse doors and send us your wild botanical stories and pics.

• We'll run a few in an upcoming newsletter.

💼 Check out who’s hiring around the city.

1. Controller, Operations at Canteen.
2. Line Foreman at Metronet.
3. Business Development Executive at RXO.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.