w/Kate Olson.

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(Radio Iowa) – One of the state’s largest independent agricultural banks is releasing the results of its annual survey of thousands of farmers, gauging their opinions on a range of topics. Bank Iowa president and C-E-O Jim Plagge says 67-percent of farmers surveyed said they believed the ag economy would be the same or stronger in 2023, while more than 70-percent felt they were in the same shape or better off financially as the prior year. Finding labor was the top concern on last year’s survey, but Plagge says finding ‘qualified labor’ moved to number-one this year.

The survey finds technology is leading the way in terms of investment decisions. In the past two years, the percentage of farmers who say they’re considering investing in ag-tech jumped from 22- to 36-percent.

(Submitted by Atlantic FFA reporter Lily Johnson) – The Atlantic FFA Banquet was held on Monday, March 28th at the Atlantic High School. There were 172 members and guests were present at the event. The banquet started with the opening ceremonies, led by the 2022-2023 chapter officers. This year the officers include President Dylan Comes, Vice President Daniel Freund, Secretary Claire Pellet, Treasurer Jackson McLaren, Reporter Charli Goff, Sentinel DJ Sheppard, and Student Advisor Colton Rudy. 2022-23 Chapter President Dylan Comes said, “The 2022-2023 FFA year went extremely well. We competed in many contests, succeeded in most of those said contests, and grew not only as individuals, but as a chapter. I am super excited to see where the chapter goes in the future.”

The opening ceremony was followed by a welcome to members and guests, and was given by President Dylan Comes. A reflection was then said by Daniel Freund. Following that, dinner was held for members and guests. Wiota Steakhouse provided the Brisket and the sides for the FFA members and guests. At the conclusion of dinner, two guest speakers spoke to the audience. The first was Chad Comes, the Father of FFA President Dylan Comes. Mr. Comes talked about how FFA is a great program and how it can impact your future greatly if you put in the effort. The next speaker was Southwest District FFA President, George Martin. Martin talked about getting outside your comfort zone and realizing the many great opportunities and life lessons FFA can bring to you that will be valuable in yours and other people’s futures. Claire Pellet gave the secretary’s report and the treasurer’s report was given by Jackson McLaren.

Following the guest speakers, awards were given out. First were those recognized for earning 10,000 FFA points throughout their time as a member. These points are earned through getting involved with our chapter. The more activities and events a member participates in, the more points they earn. Those recognized for reaching 10,000 points included Dylan Comes, Brett Dreager, Daniel Freund and Jackson McLaren. The next award was the Academic Achievement Award. This award is given to those who have been a part of the Atlantic FFA chapter for three years, and have maintained a 3.5 GPA throughout all those years. Those who received the Academic Achievement Award included Rio Johnson, Dylan Comes, and Daniel Freund.

After the Academic Achievement Award came the Star Greenhand, Star Ag Placement, Star Ag Business, and Star of Ag Production Awards. The Star Greenhand is awarded to a freshman who the chapter officers feel was the most involved with the chapter in the past year. This year there were two outstanding Greenhand members so the award was given to Lauren Comes and Lily Johnson. The next award, Star Ag Placement, is an award given to a member that has done an exceptional job in their employment, whether that be in or out of agriculture. This award was received by Jackson McLaren.

This year, the new officers for the 2022-2023 term elected four members to receive the Atlantic FFA Leadership Award, which is given in appreciation to those who have shown leadership through their years in FFA. These 4 members who received the award include Brett Dreager, Callee Pellet, DJ Sheppard, and Colton Becker. Officers also elected 2 individuals to receive the Honorary Chapter Farmer award, which is given to people who have played a large role in helping the Atlantic FFA chapter and the activities they do. Those that accepted this award include Rod Deter and Jeremiah Thompson.

2023-24 Officers:
Left to Right Back Row
Colton Rudy, Roth Denbeste, Wyatt Simons, Lily Johnson
Click to enlarge the image Left to Right Front Row:
Claire Pellet, Charli Goff, Lola Comes.

This year, 16 members were given the Discovery Degree. The Discovery Degree is awarded to members who are finishing their 8th grade year of schooling, and have been involved in FFA for one year. Those that have been involved for one year of high school Ag, received the Greenhand Degree, which was given to 28 members. Next came 16 members who were Chapter FFA degrees, which are given to members who have been involved in FFA for 2 years since being in high school, or members who have been in FFA for three years including their 8th grade year.

The banquet concluded with the installation of new chapter officers. For the upcoming 2023-2024 year, the new officers include the following: Colton Rudy as President, Lola Comes as Vice President, Claire Pellett as Secretary, Roth Denbeste as Treasurer, Lily Johnson as Reporter, Wyatt Simons as Sentinel, and Charli Goff as Student Advisor. 2023-2024 President Colton Rudy said “The 2023 Atlantic FFA Banquet was a remarkable experience, marking the end of a very successful year for our chapter and the beginning of a new year. I am honored to lead the chapter into the new FFA year, which will hopefully be filled with chapter growth and new memories to be made.”

Jim Field visits with Ken Moorman about the Friends of the Atlantic Public Library Shred Event on Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in the parking lot next to the library.  Please bring a donation to help Scout Troop 54 help the Atlantic Food Pantry.

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(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s spring turkey hunting season is scheduled to start soon. Nate Carr, a conservation officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says Iowa’s youngest hunters will fire the first shots. “Youth season is going to get us kicked off April 7th,” Carr says. “It’ll go on for a few days and then we’ll get into our regular spring turkey hunting seasons which is broken up into four different seasons.” Those seasons start April 10th, 14th and 19th, with the final season running April 26th through May 14th.

Carr says the turkey has a storied past in Iowa as the pioneers had to hunt to survive. “Back in the late 1800s, early 1900s, early settlers were pretty hard on our wildlife here in Iowa, turkeys included,” Carr says. “They were actually extirpated from the state, which means they were completely wiped out within the state of Iowa and the last wild turkey was seen around 1910.” Carr says it was a lengthy recovery process for the big birds, which vanished from our soil for more than five decades.

“It was a long road to get them back in the ’60s through different reintroduction efforts,” Carr says. “We were able to get some birds from Missouri who really had a similar issue, but they were starting to see their wild population come back. So we transplanted some birds from Missouri, up into Iowa in different locations and have really seen them be fairly successful throughout Iowa.”

The D-N-R usually issues around 50-thousand tags for spring turkey hunting season, with roughly 22-percent getting filled, which equates to a harvest of around 11,500 birds. Learn more at www.iowadnr.gov.

April 3, 2023 (DES MOINES) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and a 15-member delegation have just returned from a trade mission to Vietnam and the Philippines. The mission, coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), included representation from Iowa’s livestock and grain organizations as well as other agricultural associations. The purpose of the mission was to encourage trade development, bolster partnerships and identify opportunities to expand export markets.

In 2022, Iowa companies exported $227 million in agricultural goods to Vietnam and $273 million to the Philippines. Southeast Asia has considerable trade potential, and Vietnam, as one of the fastest growing feed markets in the world, and the Philippines, as the region’s second most populous country with a need for consistent food access, both offer trade and industry development opportunities.

Vietnam and the Philippines both ranked in the top 10 U.S. agricultural export markets in 2022. Vietnam was the second largest soybean meal market for U.S. exports in 2022, and the Philippines had become the major U.S. ethanol importer for the region as the ninth largest market in 2021. Beef and pork exports are also a key market while the region’s animal protein consumption is expected to increase by 20% over the next five years.

“Vietnam and the Philippines are already important trading partners for Iowa, but we have an opportunity to increase our market share because of their growing populations and our longstanding reputation as a dependable, proven, and consistent supplier of high-quality products,” said Secretary Naig. “Our global customers welcome the opportunity to meet with Iowa farmers, and these relationships will benefit us long-term as we seek to sell more Iowa corn, pork, soybeans, beef, biofuels and many other products.”

The Iowa ag delegation visited areas in and around Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and Manila, Philippines, from March 24 – April 1. The business meetings included trade policy updates, information sessions on Iowa’s agricultural industry and business development discussions. The delegation included Iowa companies from the ag processing industry and representatives from the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Soybean Association. IEDA worked with the U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation and U.S. Soybean Export Council to identify business prospects for the mission.

IEDA’s International Trade Office connects Iowa companies with markets for their products and services, educates Iowa businesses on exporting and assists global companies wishing to establish or expand operations in Iowa. To find out more about these services or other trade missions, visit iowaeda.com.

Jim Field visits with Produce in the Park Market Manager Brigham Hoegh about the Spring Celebration Market coming up Thursday, April 6, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic.  Pre-orders are due by Tuesday, April 4 at 11:55 pm and can be made at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

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ATLANTIC, IA (April 2, 2023) – Produce in the Park’s Spring Celebration Market is this Thursday, April 6 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022). 12 of the 26 vendors participating in the pre-Easter farmers market are accepting preorders through 11:55 PM on Tuesday, April 4. For additional information on preordering, and to preorder online, visit www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com.

Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts will offer a limited selection of products for purchase on-site at Spring Celebration Market. However, Miss NiNi cautions that only limited flavors and desserts will be available for in-person shoppers, and pies will only be available by preorder. Shoppers looking to enjoy one of Miss NiNi’s gourmet desserts on Easter weekend are encouraged to preorder must-have items, such as a particular cheesecake or pie. Miss NiNi’s desserts can be preordered at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com. Customers with questions about Miss NiNi’s products should call Janine at 712-249-0145.

Miss NiNi smiles with her pies.

Spring Celebration Market vendors confirmed as of April 2 include: Johnna Joy Designs, Sweet Sisters Vegan, Brun Ko Farm, Holaday Baking, Sue’s Country Garden, Ter-Bear Honey, Noble Provisions, Smudge, Kringleman Pastries, Spirits of the Faire, Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts, Donna’s Jewelry, Studio Samantha, Bridgewater Farm, Midwest Candles by Brit, Frosting, Inc., Creekside Crystals and Crafts, Blessings Bakery and Gifts, Knuckle Down Crochet, Crafts, and Pet Treats, Silver Valley Craft Corner, Unicorn Clouds, Imagine Garden Gift Store, Sugar Mama Cookie Co., Precursor Printing, and The Rocking Horse.

Pim’s Thai Food Truck will be in the parking lot of the Cass County Community Center selling their popular Thai food throughout the duration of the Thursday farmers market (4:00-7:00 PM).

Spring Celebration Market is sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, Cass County Tourism, First Whitney Bank and Trust, Cass Health, Gregg Young Automotive of Atlantic, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. For the latest information, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/) or sign up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at
www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

KJAN’s Chris Parks and Cass/Adair County Conservation Officer Grant Gelly talk about all things outdoors. This week they discuss spring wildlife spotlight surveys, tips on prepping for turkey season, prescribed burns, and seasonal park positions.

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April 1:

• Joy Miller of Atlantic (winner)
• Clint Mathisen of Massena
• Ruth Wietzel of Atlantic
• Kim Lackershire of Elk Horn

April 2:

• Lynnette Herrick of Wiota (winner)

April 3:

• Nancy Freeman of Atlantic (winner)
• Lola Ehen of Atlantic

April 4:

• Wendy Petersen of Atlantic (winner)
• Diane Breach of atlantic
• Miley Kelly of Griswold
• Dorothy Peters of Marne
• Jane Jessen of Exira
• Bob Nelsen of Audubon

April 5:

• Jessie Wheeler of Exira (winner)
• Talon LeJueness of Atlantic
• Bobbie McNees of Atlantic
• Mark Madison of Adair
• Stephen Foote of Atlantic

April 6:

• Lyriq Dodson of Atlantic (winner)

April 7:

• April Meyer of Atlantic (winner)
• Sally Matthies of Walnut

April 8:

• Liz Schmidt of Audubon (winner)

April 9:

• Lily Knudsen of Marne (winner)

April 10:

• Mary Kinney of Griswold (winner)
• Jolene Nelsen of Anita
• Lindsey Thomas of Atlantic
• Joy Hansen of Brayton
• Diana Petersen of Atlantic

April 11:

• Keith Grabill of Audubon (winner)
• Vickie Tibben of Audubon

April 12:

• Mara Mae Myers of Atlantic (winner)
• Matt Amdor of Lewis

April 13:

• Mary Ann Huegerich of Exira (winner)
• Martha Baier of Atlantic
• Beth Lauritsen of Exira
• Lisa Shotwell of Exira
• Chloe Elliot of Atlantic

April 14:

• Nancy Zellmer of Atlantic (winner)

April 15:

• Roux Dailey of Atlantic (winner)

April 16:

• Elinor Elsberry of Atlantic (winner)
• Kaytlyn McKinnley of Wiota
• Donna Zellmer of Atlantic

April 17:

• Brianna Atkins of Atlantic (winner)
• Sadie Schultes of Exira

April 18:

• Jair Ehrman of Anita (winner)
• Marjorie Frisbee of Walnut
• Sara Paulsen of Exira
• Bea Petersen of Atlantic
• Jim Hickman of Atlantic
• Debbie Leistad of Atlantic

April 19:

• Doris Christensen of Audubon (winner)
• Carolyn Dix of Atlantic

April 20: No birthday wishes submitted

April 21:

• Nancy Petersen of Audubon (winner)
• Jenna Andersen of Audubon
• Mary Jo Blunk of Atlantic

April 22:

• Margaret Hansen of Brayton (winner)
• Jacob Silence of Atlantic
• Dawn Martin of Anita
• Todd Lawshe of Audubon

April 23:

• Raelyn Weisenborn of Exira (winner)
• Roger Sinow of Gray
• Elaine Rasmussen of Exira

April 24:

• McKinley Sandbothe of Atlantic (winner)
• Donna Willoughby of Atlantic

April 25:

• Brittany Knudsen of Atlantic (winner)
• Lisa Silence of Atlantic
• Carolyn Landon of Exira
• Ann Huegerich of Exira
• Dave Erickson of Exira

April 27:

• Connie Sorensen of Exira (winner)
• Charles Anstey of Massena
• Jessi Michaels of Cumberland

April 28:

• Mariah Stockwell of Elk Horn (winner)
• Sherry Kramer of Atlantic
• Sarah Becker of Atlantic

April 29:

• Dov Lower of Atlantic (winner)
• Mitch Munch of Exira

April 30:

• Dave Breach of Atlantic (winner)