Energy is relevant to all areas of human life; energy sustains us through food, drives our transportation, warms and cools our buildings, and powers our electrical gadgets. In nature, ecosystems function by capturing and transforming energy. Agroecosystems are formed when humans manipulate the capture and flow of energy for food, fiber, and fuel production. Comparing the energy use and efficiency in different agroecosystems throughout central Iowa allows producers and consumers alike to make more informed decisions about energy and sustainability in the food system. (Contains 3 tables and 3 figures.)