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Iowa seeks payment plan options at farmers markets

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is scrambling to develop a plan for spending federal money to expand payment options at its 200 farmers markets. An appropriations bill provides $4 million in funding to increase farmers markets participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. Iowa is to receive about $161,000. The Gazette in Cedar Rapids says the money has to be obligated by Sept. 30. The funds are to expand the availability of wireless point-of-sale equipment in farmers markets not currently participating in SNAP. Tracy Penick of the Iowa Department of Human Services says the challenge is that vendors use individual devices to run SNAP cards, while the funding is designed to go to farmers markets as a whole.

Ag Sec Vilsack approves closing of FSA office in Union County

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

John R. Whitaker, Iowa State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), today (Wednesday),  announced that USDA Secretary Thomas A. Vilsack has approved the closure of three FSA county offices in Iowa, including those in Union County, Decatur and Appanoose Counties. The process will begin immediately.  After the required notifications have been provided to producers, FSA employees and office landlords, closure dates will be established and made publically available.  

FSA Administrator, Bruce Nelson said in a Press Release, “FSA places the utmost priority on ensuring that our services to producers remain strong as this consolidation process begins.”  The agency will provide farmers and ranchers affected by closures an opportunity to choose the most convenient neighboring county office with which to conduct their future business with the agency.  In addition, all employees in the closing office will be provided in opportunity to continue to work with FSA.  

Officials say as a federal agency, FSA has been affected by widespread budget reductions made by Congress.  Since 2011, the Agency has lost 1,230 permanent employees through voluntary early separation and normal retirement.  In addition, FSA has been forced to reduce discretionary administrative expense by over 30 percent in the last fiscal year alone. For a complete list of FSA county offices affected by the decision, go to:  http://www.fsa.usda.gov/officeconsolidations

REFERENDUM TO INCREASE THE CORN CHECKOFF TO BE HELD JULY 10

Ag/Outdoor

May 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board today (Wednesday) announced plans to conduct a referendum on July 10, 2012 to increase the corn checkoff by ¼ cent per bushel.  The checkoff is currently ¾ of a cent per bushel and if the increase is approved would be 1 cent per bushel. Any producer who raised and marketed at least 250 bushels of corn from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011 is eligible to vote at any county extension office in the crop reporting district where they live from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 10. Growers who wish to vote by absentee ballot may do so by contacting the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.  Producers may call 515-281-5321, email cornvote@IowaAgriculture.gov or visit the Henry Wallace Building, 502 E 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319 to solicit an Absentee Ballot Request Form. The Absentee Ballot Request Form must be signed and returned to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.  The producer will then be mailed an Absentee Ballot. Absentee Ballot Request Forms must be postmarked by June 27, 2012 and Absentee Ballots must be postmarked by July 10, 2012. 

The corn checkoff was last increased in 2008 to the current rate of ¾ cent per bushel marketed.  The checkoff is collected on corn that enters commercial channels but not on grain used on-farm.  Producers are able to request a refund of their checkoff contribution and that will not be affected by the vote. The Iowa Corn Checkoff was established by producer referendum in 1977.  The Iowa Corn Promotion Board, made up of farmers elected by their peers, invests checkoff dollars for research, education, promotion, and market development.  The maximum checkoff allowed under Iowa code is 1 cent per bushel.

Drought concerns emerge

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

May 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Warm, windy weather — and a lack of rain — are raising drought concerns in Iowa. The latest U-S-D-A report indicates about half of Iowa farm fields are short or very short of topsoil moisture. Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey says it’s worrysome. “Ironically northwest Iowa was probably our driest area going into spring and they’ve gotten rains,” Northey says. “But the balance of the state is really short of moisture and normally we don’t expect that dry weather until later in the season.” Dry conditions in late May and early June put a “unique kind of stress” on crops, according to Northey.

Corn, for example, is showing inadequate root growth.”When the crop is so short of moisture in that top soil, it actually is hard for those roots to find moisture and, therefore, to grow,” Northey says. “You would think normally…dry weather will cause those roots to go down and try to find moisture, but in some of our areas it’s so dry, if it’s not finding moisture, it actually stops those roots from growing.” While corn in some areas has weak root systems, some soybeans are just sitting in the ground and haven’t sprouted. “We do plant soybeans shallower. We plant them later and if you do a little bit of tillage, it dries out the top, especially since some of our areas of the state haven’t had rain for three weeks or at least any sizable rain and some very dry weather in the last three or four weeks as well.” The other problem is the soybean sprouts, but then dies because of lack of moisture.

Fifty-one percent of Iowa farm fields are “short” or “very short” of topsoil moisture according to the latest U-S-D-A report. The rating for subsoil moisture is 42 percent “short” or “very short.” The driest section of the state is south central Iowa, where 83 percent of the topsoil is “short” or “very short” of moisture.

Link to the U-S Drought Monitor website: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

(O. Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Backyard and Beyond 05-30-2012

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

May 30th, 2012 by admin

Lavon Eblen talks about preventing aging brains.

Play

Cass Co. Sheriff to be honored, Thursday

News

May 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Sheriff Darby McClaren will receive a certificate Thursday morning at the Courthouse in Atlantic, in honor of his nomination for the prestigious 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.  The certificate will be presented at 11:30 a.m.  Thursday, May 31st, at the Sheriff’s Office, by Jerry Hansen, chairman of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) agency for our area. 

The Freedom Award is the Department of Defense’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of Guard and Reserve employees.  A review board comprised of military and civilian leaders has received 3,236 nominations received earlier this year from Guard and Reserve service members, or family members acting on their behalf. Only 160 employers have received the Freedom Award since it was established in 1996. Employers named as finalists for the award distinguish themselves not only for adhering to the employment and reemployment rights of Guard and Reserve members, but for actively creating opportunities to assist and support the service of both Guard and Reserve employees and their families. 

Everyone isl invited to the event honoring Sheriff McClaren, for his support of our military.

Car hits hydrant & tree in Kimballton, Tuesday

News

May 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

One person was injured when the vehicle they were driving hit a fire hydrant and tree Tuesday afternoon, in Kimballton. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports 61-year old Marcia Louise Nelson, of Kimballton, was traveling north on South Main Street at around 4:15-p.m., when she fell asleep at the wheel of her 2009 Chevy Impala. The car crossed the centerline of the road and hit a fire hydrant before colliding with a large tree. Nelson was transported by Elk Horn Rescue to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. She was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Nelson’s car sustained $15,000 damage during the accident.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30th

Trading Post

May 30th, 2012 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: Amana refrigerator, white in color. 17.8 cu. Ft, freezer on top. Have been using it.  First 75.00 takes it.  712-243-9849.

GARAGE SALE: Saturday June 2 from 8-12.  807 Hickory (in alley)  Lots of stuff from infant to adult.  Small computer desk, like new boys 20″ bike, home decor, and much more.

FOR SALE: 1986 Honda 4 wheel, new front tires, good back tires, new batteries – best offer; trellis – best offer. 712-250-4420

WANTED: Willing to cut down trees if you cannot afford a tree service.  The work would be done to help people out, as he would not use the wood for personal use.  He would not be able to do anything more than 2 feet across…also could only cut down trees in more open areas.  778-4672.

FOR SALE: Camping firewood.  778-4672.

Cass Supervisors to set hearing dates on proposed illegal dumping ordinance

News

May 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their weekly meeting Thursday morning, in Atlantic. During their 9-a.m. session, the board will act on setting the dates for hearings on a proposed Cass County Illegal Dumping Ordinance. 

When the Board met April 11th, the subject of improper disposal of solid waste was discussed. Officials say improper ‘dumping’ of solid waste (appliances, garbage, etc) in roadside ditches and elsewhere is an ongoing problem in Cass County, and an Illegal Dumping Task Force has been formed to work on the problem.  Cass County Landfill Manager Wendy Wittrock told the board, and stressed to the public via the media, that illegal dumping is ‘wrong’ and the public need to report incidents of illegal dumping. Wittrock said during the April meeting, that the organization Keep Iowa Beautiful may help deter the crime, by setting up cameras in known problem areas. The County’s current “Disposal of Solid Waste” ordinance says that improper disposal of solid waste is a simple misdemeanor and upon conviction, subjects the violator to imprisonment not exceeding thirty days or a fine not exceeding $100.00.  

In other business, Steve Livengood, with the Cass County Public Safety Commission,  will discuss the Commission’s ongoing efforts toward relocating the Cass County 9-1-1 Center, and will request a letter of support to that effect, from the Board of Supervisors. The 9-1-1 Center is currently located in the basement of the Courthouse.

Carson & Barnes Circus returns to Atlantic in June

News

May 30th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says the Carson & Barnes Circus, “The Biggest of the Big Top shows,” will bring its all-new show for 2012 to the Atlantic Airport on Highland Road in Atlantic on Monday, June 11th.(photo courtesy Carson & Barnes)  One of the last of the great American traveling big top circuses, the Carson & Barnes performers will hold two shows, at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are now on sale at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Chestnut Street and online at BigTopShow.com. A portion of sales will benefit the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’s programs and events.

Celebrating its 76th year the Carson & Barnes Circus has been traveling the nation since 1937. While the show has changed over the decades, what remains is a solid two-hour show that features classic circus acts, daring high-wire feats and the antics of dozens of clowns. But aside from the clowns, the prancing horses and high-IQ dogs, the biggest stars of the show are the elephants. Advance tickets are available now at the Depot, 102 Chestnut Street, and online at BigTopShow.com.(photo by Carson & Barnes)

Prices range from $16 Adult, $8 Child at the gate on the day of the performance to as little as $10 Adult, $6 Child when purchased in advance using a discount coupon. Coupons are available locally or can be downloaded from BigTopShow.com or by visiting www.Facebook.com/CarsonBarnesCircus. Get complete ticket information online at BigTopShow.com or BoletosdeCirco.com. For more information or questions call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.