There are over 20,000 medium and large-sized concentrated animal feeding operations in the U.S. One family farm in Iowa recently transitioned their industrial hog operation to grow something else: specialty mushrooms.

Giant miscanthus is a perennial grass that can be used for energy, building materials and animal bedding. Researchers say it can be planted alongside corn and soybeans and harvested in the winter, offering farmers a way to diversify their income.