DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 1, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Matt Russell, today announced that 12 Iowa Counties are authorized for emergency haying or grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for fiscal year 2022. FSA’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. The six counties approved for emergency haying or grazing include: Buena Vista, Clay, Ida, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, and Sac. With six Iowa Counties restricted under Emergency Haying Criteria Based on LFP Triggers:
Cherokee, Monona, O’Brien, Plymouth, Sioux, and Woodbury.

Counties are automatically approved for CRP emergency haying and grazing when they reach the D2 (severe drought) level on the U.S. Drought Monitor and are outside of the primary nesting season (May 15th through August 1st). A CRP participant must receive approval for emergency haying from their county FSA Office before any action is taken. The emergency haying authorizations end on August 31, 2022. A CRP participant must receive approval for emergency grazing from their local FSA office before any action is taken. The emergency grazing period for these counties will end Sept. 30, 2022. CRP participants are eligible to seek approval for either emergency haying or emergency grazing but cannot do both on the same acres.

There will be no CRP annual rental payment reduction for 2022 emergency haying and grazing authorizations. CRP participants in counties not eligible for Emergency Haying and Grazing are eligible for Non-Emergency Haying and Grazing starting August 2nd. CRP participants should check with their local FSA office to determine their eligibility and specifics. They need to sign up and get approval from their local FSA office before any haying or grazing is started.

For more information and to request approval for emergency haying or grazing use of CRP acres, contact your local USDA Service Center.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Today is the last FULL day of events at the Cass County Fair. All that remains on Tuesday is the Livestock Sale, beginning at 8-a.m.  On tap for today, though, is the Beef Show, beginning at 8-a.m., followed by the Best of Iowa at 9-a.m., and the Rotary’s Watermelon Feed, at 11. Today’s featured dinner is Roast Beef. The 4-H/FFA Exhibits open at 8-a.m.

The Building Awards will be handed out today at 4 o’clock, followed at 5:45-p.m. by the Parade of Champions and the Bucket of Junk Fundraising Auction. The day concludes with the Grand Champion Beef Selection, at 6:30-p.m. Beautiful weather continues for the Cass County Fair in Atlantic.

Commercial Booths are open from Noon until 9-p.m.  KJAN will be broadcasting live from the Fair in our booth between the Commercial Buildings, from 4-until 7-p.m. (The full schedule can be seen below. Click on the image to enlarge)

(Ute, Iowa) – The pilot of a crop dusting airplane died Saturday afternoon, when the aircraft struck electrical lines and crashed onto a road. The Monona County Sheriff’s Office reports their 9-1-1 Center was notified at around 1:09-p.m. about the accident which occurred near 230th and Teak Avenue, near Ute.

The pilot died at the scene. His name was being withheld, pending notification of family. The FAA and NTSB will conduct an investigation into the accident.

The Monona County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Ute Fire and Ambulance, Western Iowa Power, Monona County Secondary Roads, and St. Lukes Pathology.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Beautiful weather continues for the Cass County Fair in Atlantic. Today (July 31st), activities begins at 7:30-a.m. with the 4H and FFA Swine Show. The tractor ride takes off at 8:30-a.m., and the Poultry Show starts at 10:00-a.m.

The Decorators Showcase takes place from Noon until 4:00-p.m., the Pig Pals Show is at One O’clock, and the Pedal Tractor Pulls at 2:30. A County Fair Church Service begins at 4:30-p.m., and the Cow/Calf Show is 5:30, with the Feeder Calf Show at 6-p.m.

The Horse Fun Show follows, at 6:30 p.m., and the featured evening event: Golf Cart Races, start at 7. Today’s featured meal is the Windsor Chop. Commercial Booths are open from Noon until 9-p.m.  KJAN will be broadcasting live from the Fair in our booth between the Commercial Buildings, from 4-until 7-p.m. (The full schedule can be seen below. Click on the image to enlarge)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Linda and the late Larry Shafer, of Cass County, will be inducted into the 2022 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, August 21. Ninety-seven Iowa counties are participating this year and have selected 131 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members will be presented a certificate as they are introduced on stage. Linda and the late Larry Shafer will be recognized at 1:30p.m. A reception will follow the presentations.

Linda and the late Larry Shafer have been supporters of the Cass County 4-H Program and Cass County Fair for many years, having daughters Jennifer and Amy in fair in 4-H and FFA.  Linda was a Judge’s Helper during static exhibit judging for many years both while Amy was in 4-H and with her granddaughters more recently.  She also was the Grove Township contact for food stand donations from 1998 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2019.  She donated her time calling township citizens for donations of food to help keep the food stand stocked.

Some of Linda’s favorite memories and friendships stem from her work in the food stand.  Anytime there was a need, she was ready to put on a name tag and help out.  She remembers cutting hundreds of pies, dishing up salads, and washing many many dishes with the late Wray McDermott with that old dishwasher! Larry was always willing to provide any equipment that was needed and to take the night guard shifts.  One of his favorite fair memories that his daughters have heard “a few times” was when he was on duty with other dads who didn’t have livestock at home.

A steer had gotten loose, and they left it until they found Larry and made him catch it.  The girls don’t remember him ever being terribly proficient with it but he did carry a lasso behind the pickup seat. Most recently, Linda has helped daughter Jenny in the static exhibit area on judging day and has been a sponsor of several poultry trophies that she’s been able to witness her granddaughters receive on show day. Linda says fair week is one of the best weeks of the year.  She enjoys seeing friends and watching Cass County’s youth learn so much through the opportunities and fun available to them through 4-H and FFA.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said County 4-H Youth Coordinator, Katie Bateman. Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“Iowa 4-H volunteers and staff greatly impact our youth and this is one way we can recognize them for their remarkable service and commitment,” said Tillie Good, staff and volunteer development manager, Iowa 4-H Youth Development. The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees will be on display at the 2018 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building.

Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and select “Recognition.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Judging activities for the 4-H & FFA Sheep Show kick-off today’s (Saturday’s)  events at the 2022 Cass County Fair, beginning at 8:00-a.m.  The Herd Dog Trials are slated for 8:30-a.m.. There’s a Open Shot Archery fundraiser from 9-a.m. until 4-p.m., a Pet Show at 10, followed at 11-a.m. by the Meat Goat & Dairy Goat Show. Working Exhibits, Extemporaneous Speaking, and educational presentations will be held at Noon. Ride a mechanical bull all-day today, and grab some great food from the FFA Foodstand, Foodstand or Chuckwagon. Today’s featured meal is Ham Balls or Lamb.

This afternoon at the Cass County Fair, Judging of the Livestock begins at 3-p.m.  Youth get a chance to cool-off with the Youth Water Fights at 4, and the day’s activities conclude at 6-p.m., with the Tractor Pull contest. Looking ahead to Sunday, the day begins with the Swine Show and 7:30-a.m., and a Tractor Ride at 8:30-a.m. A Tractor display will be featured from Noon until 3-p.m., and there’s a Pedal Tractor Pull beginning at 2:30-p.m., Sunday.

For the complete schedule of events, click on the image below (it will enlarge):

The 2022 Cass County Fair King and Queen contest was held on Thursday night in front of the gardens at the Cass County Community Center. Keira Olson was named the 2022 Queen and Bryan York was named King. Olson is the daughter of Jon and Kate Olson of Atlantic and is a member of the Pymosa 4-H club. York is the son of Dave and Kristy York of Atlantic and he is a member of the Bear Grove Blazers 4-H club and the Atlantic FFA.

Paige Jensen was named the 2022 Princess. Paige is the daughter of Ryan and Eva Jensen and is a member of the Grant Guys and Gals 4-H club and CAM FFA. Logan Evans was named the 2022 Prince. He is the son of Ryan and Jessie Evans and is a member of the Griswold Clubsters and the Griswold FFA.

Miss Congeniality for 2022 is Elizabeth Anderson. She is the daughter of Jason and Lori Anderson and is a member of the Bear Grove Blazers 4-H club. Mr. Congeniality was Dylan Comes. He is the son of Chad and Tresa Comes and is a member of the Atlantic FFA.

All the candidates were judged through a process that included individual and group interviews at a previous gathering at the Cass County Community Center and some final judging during the ceremony Thursday. The contest included 12 queen candidates and 7 king candidates.

A large group of kids participated in the Little Miss and Little Mister Contest as well. Winners were drawn at random and the 2022 Little Miss is Greta Parks and the 2022 Little Mister is Jase Ohms.

Keira Olson earns the right to represent Cass County in the 2022 Iowa State Fair Queen Contest.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

(Radio Iowa) – Officials have confirmed an extremely rare amoeba that can destroy brain tissue is present in a state-owned lake in southwest Iowa. A Missouri man who went swimming at the Lake of Three Fires near Bedford died earlier this month after getting a brain infection caused by the amoeba. University of Iowa epidemiologist Mike Pentella encountered two similar cases when he worked at a hospital in central Florida.

The beach at the Lake of Tree Fires is reopening today (Thursday), with signs posted that warn of the amoeba’s presence. State officials say swimmers should take precautions and limit the amount of water that goes up their noses. Pentella says the organism is extremely rare and has primarily been found in southern states when lake levels are low and the water gets hot due to prolonged periods of high temperatures.

Pentella says it’s possible many people have been exposed, but did not come down with disease. If you’re going swimming in a lake, Pentella says you may consider wearing a nose clip or plugging your nose if you’re jumping in and he recommends avoiding digging or stirring up the sediment at the bottom of a lake.

Pentella made his comments during an appearance on the River to River program on Iowa Public Radio. State officials say they do not intend to test other state park lakes, as there is no rapid, standardized test for the amoeba.

MAQUOKETA, IA — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said Wednesday, that Maquoketa Caves State Park will reopen for day use at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28. The campground will remain closed until further notice. All campers with reservations through Sunday, July 31 have been notified and refunded.

The park closed on Friday, July 22 after the tragic shooting deaths of three members of the Schmidt family from Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Division of Criminal Investigation continues to lead the investigation of the incident.

The Iowa DNR appreciates the continued collaborative work between local law enforcement, the Department of Public Safety, and the DNR State Parks staff and conservation officers on this investigation.

A temporary memorial site will be located at the Maquoketa Caves State Park entrance sign near the Visitor Center.

Anyone with camping questions can send an email to: iowa.stateparks@dnr.iowa.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – An invasive bug that could threaten many of Iowa’s fruit crops and trees has been found in the state — but a top Iowa insect expert says there aren’t enough of them at this time to pose an immediate threat to Iowa’s agriculture. State entomologist Robin Pruisner says a person found the first spotted lanternfly on a maple tree in Dallas County and the second a week later in the same area. Both were immature – black with white spots.

“We do not call what we’ve found so far in Dallas County and infestation,” she says. “it appears that we’ve got hitchhikers — not a reproducing population at this time.” The spotted lanternfly can jump from plant to plant and feed on sap. It leaves behind a sticky substance that can develop a sooty mold which blocks photosynthesis and can kill the plant. Pruisner says she’s disappointed the bug has been found here. 

The closest known infestations of spotted lanternfly are in the Indiana-Ohio area, so I didn’t expect them to make such a large jump into Iowa,'” she says. Spotted lanternflies can attach their egg masses on vehicles or firewood and hitch a ride for a long distance. Pruisner is encouraging people to send photos to the Ag Department if they think they’ve seen the insect.

(reporting By Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)