(Radio Iowa) – The governor’s plan to require that most Iowa fueling stations sell gas with a 15 percent ethanol blend has cleared the Senate Ag Committee — without any debate. Republican Senator Dan Zumbach of Ryan was the only person to speak about the bill before a subcommittee AND the Senate Ag Committee voted to advance it. “Good bills come with questions. Good bills come with controversy. Good bills come with answers,” Zumbach says. “This bill answers a lot of questions. Does it create some? Absolutely, but this bill is about doing what Iowans do and that’s supporting Iowans.”

Last year, Governor Reynolds proposed an Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard, but the state’s fuel industry warned motorists would see higher pump prices as stations spent money upgrading equipment to handle higher blends of ethanol as well as biodiesel, which has a soybean-based additive. This year’s revised proposal includes waivers for smaller stations which can show they cannot afford to upgrade fuel handling systems to handle E-15, E-85 and B-20. “It’s about making corn and soybeans worth more,” he said, “and having great fuel access everywhere.”

The bill easily cleared the Iowa House last week and its next stop in the Senate is the Ways and Means Committee.

(Radio Iowa) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing one-billion-dollars in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farms, ranches and forests. U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the initiative will help farmers generate more profits and make America more competitive in markets abroad. “We need to get there first,” Vilsack says. “We need to be able to say to the world, ‘We have led in this effort,’ in order to maintain and expand those export markets.” The secretary says the funding will go toward projects such as cover crops and manure management.

Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, is asking for ideas on how to execute practices like no-till farming and nutrient management on a large scale.  “We’re trying to incentivize the creation of climate-smart commodities that hold higher value in the marketplace,” he says, “that farmers can generate additional profit from, and capture value for the farmer.” Local and state governments, nonprofits and small businesses can apply for the federal money.

The Biden administration is trying to slash greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in half by 2030. Vilsack announced the program Monday at Lincoln University of Missouri in Jefferson City.

(Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – An open burning ban will be in place for Pottawattamie County starting today (February 8, 2022) at 2:00 p.m. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the county. The current weather forecast and environmental conditions indicate a very high fire danger for today with a warm/dry pattern continuing over the next couple of weeks. Under the current dry conditions, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly.

Emergency Management Director Doug Reed says “Pottawattamie County has seen the devastating effects of fire in extreme conditions and we want to do everything we can to help mitigate incidents like that from occurring.” During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground and set-asides or other items during the ban.

Small recreational camp fires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fire place of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh. Any camp fire not in an outdoor fire place is prohibited.
Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban.

For updated information on burn bans and the law you can find further information on the Pott. County EMA Facebook, Twitter, and web pages. The ban will remain in place until environmental conditions improve

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at  Moorland Pond (Fort Dodge) and Big Lake (Council Bluffs) as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer.  All winter/spring community trout stockings will be unannounced this year. Check the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/trout and watch for future press releases to find out when the remaining community trout locations have been stocked.

The winter/spring community trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A small hook with a nightcrawler or corn under a small bobber or small simple spinners, such as a Panther Martin or Mepps, is all you need to get in on the fun. Bringing trout to cities and towns offers a “close to home” option for Iowans who might not travel to the coldwater streams in northeast Iowa to discover trout fishing.

The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.  Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.

Find more information about trout fishing in Iowa on the DNR trout fishing webpage.

(Radio Iowa) – Democrat State Representative Art Staed of Cedar Rapids is trying again on legislation to establish an immediate moratorium on the expansion of factory farming in the state. He talked about it today (Monday) in an online call with reporters. “My bill will help stymie corporate ag’s predatory growth in our state, confront our water quality crisis, and rectify the unfair treatment of contract growers,” Staed says. This year marks the fifth that Iowa legislators and advocates have collaborated to try and pass the bill.

Staed admits with the House controlled by Republicans, it won’t be easy to get it going. “In the House they’ve ignored this in the past. We’ll see what happens this year,” he says. “We’ve had difficulty getting any Republican signatures to be honest — but we do have quite a few House members who are interested in it.” He would like to just see it get a hearing in the House. “There are legislators in both parties who are very interested in doing something about this, taking action,” according to Staed, “for whatever reason aren’t willing to come forward at this time until they see greater movement or at least a subcommittee hearing where we can have the public involved and others come and speak.”

Staed says there are more than 10-thousand factory farms with anywhere from 300-500 new facilities added to the state each year.

(Lewis, Iowa) – Officials with the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development have announced the 30^th Annual meeting for the Foundation takes place March 3rd, at the Armstrong Research Farm, near Lewis**. The meeting is open to the public, and there is no fee to attend. The event begins with registration at 9-a.m., followed by a Welcome from Foundation President Mark Bentley.

This year’s speakers will include Mark Licht an Iowa State University Assistant Professor and Extension Cropping System Specialist in the Dept of Agronomy, who will be speaking on the Recent Cropping Systems Research in Southwest Iowa. His extension, research and teaching program is focused on how to holistically manage Iowa cropping systems to achieve productivity, profitability and environmental goals. His research is centered around varied aspects of soybean, corn and cover crop management. 

The second speaker is Tim Christensen, ISU Farm Management Specialist. He is currently serving 13 counties in Southwest Iowa working with the public on farm rental agreements, farm transitions, farm bill, grain marketing, and any other farm management issues that arise. Tim will be speaking on Iowa Land Values review and 2022 Cost of Production Increases.

A complimentary lunch at 11:30-a.m.will follow those guest speakers, with the Wallace Foundation’s Membership Annual Business meeting at 12:30-p.m.

**The Armstrong Research Farm is located approximately 12 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, south on 525th Street, and then east on Hitchcock Avenue.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 7, 2022) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible farm owners to apply for the 2022 Century and Heritage Farm Program now. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively. “The Century and Heritage Farm Program recognizes the strength and resiliency of Iowa’s multi-generation farm families,” said Secretary Naig. “I always look forward to celebrating with the families and hearing stories about their incredible farming legacies. I am grateful for the investments they make to protect our rich farmland and their continued commitment to our state’s agriculture community.” To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program.

Applications may also be requested from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at 515-281-3645 or kelley.reece@iowaagriculture.gov. Written requests can be mailed to Century or Heritage Farm Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319.

To be included in the 2022 Century or Heritage Farm Program, completed applications must be received by the Department no later than June 1, 2022.

This marks the 46th anniversary of the Century Farm Program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 20,000 farms from across the state have received this recognition. This is the 16th anniversary of the Heritage Farm Program. More than 1,500 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006. To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit centuryfarms.iowaagriculture.gov/. Photos from past recognition ceremonies are also available on the Century and Heritage Farm Program website.

The ceremonies recognizing the 2022 Century and Heritage Farm families will be held at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 18, in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings starting next week. D-N-R wildlife biologist, Todd Gosselink says it’s a chance to recap the previous year and plan for the next. He says it’s a chance for hunters to tell the D-N-R what they like and don’t like and to suggest ideas for changes. Gosselink says each year has a few changes to the rules — with the deer seasons often seeing adjustments. “We’re tweaking those quotas and things like that for deer season. We have Chronic Wasting Disease in certain parts of the state — so we’ve changed deer regulations to allow for extra seasons — like a January antlerless season to try and harvest more deer in those areas that have C-W-D or Chronic Wasting Disease,” he says.

He says they will have a final meeting after all the others to talk about what they learned. Gosselink says they will reveal the changes they came up with based on public input, and then have a second round of input on the proposed changes. Gosselink encourages you to find a meeting in your area and give your input. “It really helps us gather a lot of information from the hunters out in the field,” Gosselink says. “And it definitely helps us in the decision-making process, it’s a big factor of what needs changed and addressed to.”

Here are some of the Meeting dates, times and locations:
Creston, Feb. 21, 6 p.m., Multi-Purpose Room, Southern Prairie YMCA, 1201 West Townline Street
Sac City, Feb 22, 6:30 p.m., Sac County Conservation Center, Hagge Park, 2970 280th Street
Onawa, Feb. 23, 6 p.m., Lewis and Clark State Park visitor center banquet room, 21914 Park Loop
Council Bluffs, Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m., Council Bluffs Fish & Game Club, 531 Comanche St.

Chris Parks and Cass/Adair County Conservation Officer Grant Gelly talk about all things outdoors. This week they discuss licensing numbers from 2021, a little ice fishing, and land vegetation improvement opportunities.

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Perry, Iowa – Iowa 3rd District Representative Cindy Axne, today (Friday) highlighted two businesses in Iowa’s Third District that this week received nearly $3.3-million in loan guarantees and grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Kerns Farms Corporations in Taylor County received $167,019 to assist with market expansion and pork processing fees for specialty retail cuts and ground products, and another $40,504 grant to help process specialty retail cuts and ground products of Mangalitsa pork. The Kerns Farms Corporation is a leading producer of heritage breed Mangalitsa pigs in the United States and project funds will be used for market expansion.

This investment reflects Rep. Axne’s recent efforts to support small- and medium-sized meat producers and to improve market transparency in order to create more competition, fairness in the industry, and a more reliable supply chain.

T.C. And B. Corporate Wearables Inc. in Dallas County received $3,090,000 to help assist the customized apparel business in overcoming lost revenues created by closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will help TC & B, which employs 35 people in Perry, supplement working capital to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the economic impacts of the coronavirus by guaranteeing loans for rural businesses and agricultural producers. This loan guarantee comes from the CARES Act, COVID-19 relief legislation that Rep. Axne helped pass in March 2020.

More information about the more the grants and loans distributed by the USDA to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of lives for millions of Americans who are living in rural America can be found by clicking here.