(Radio Iowa) – The Nature Conservancy in Iowa is offering home and business owners in the state a crash course in solar power. Patrick Snell, the organization’s climate and external affairs associate, says the Grow Solar program is in its fourth year of helping Iowans navigate a course toward finding an affordable source of renewable energy. “It’s hard to know what to look for in solar, how to work with your utility, how to work with your municipality and figuring out all the right questions to ask,” Snell says. “What this program does is really put all that in front of them in a 30-minute educational series to get all those questions answered.”

Grow Solar is underway this summer in Polk County, after successful runs in Dallas, Warren, Linn, Jackson and Johnson counties. There’s also a longer program, the Solar Power Hour, where people can learn the basics of solar energy, along with some of the financial aspects. “The program is a limited group buy purchasing program, so anybody that wants to participate in the program, we basically do a bulk purchasing of individual solar systems,” Snell says. “We usually see about a 10% reduction in the price of solar for those individual homes or businesses.” The program aims to connect Iowa home and business owners with local, reputable installers, while warning them about the predatory tactics of some out-of-state solar companies.

“Good solar companies have a headquarters or an operation in the state, that’s a big one for us,” Snell says. “One other thing we look at is the number of installations they’ve done. There’s a lot of companies that will come in to just try it out, and you’ll end up paying for a lot of headaches both for that resident, as well as their local utilities.” Just because you see something on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true, and this applies to the solar industry as well. Snell says people may want to steer clear of some companies that advertise on social media about the benefits of solar power.

“It’s something that can be good for someone’s pocketbook and good for their heart, and unfortunately from that altruistic side, we do see a lot of actors have misleading ads,” Snell says. “I would say there’s a lot of good players, there’s a lot of not-so-good players in the industry, so yes, there’s some ads to be wary of.” The Solar Power Hours are being held virtually and in-person to help equip Iowans with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions. Learn more at: https://www.growsolar.org/polk-county/

(Radio Iowa) – A wind farm proposed for the southwest corner of Iowa has cleared one major hurdle. The Fremont County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved Invenergy’s application for its Shenandoah Hills project. The site south of Shenandoah extends into Page County as well. Officials in Page County are still reviewing the company’s application. Mark Crowl, a development manager with Invenergy, says the turbines would generate 27 million dollars in property taxes for Fremont County — and property owners in the county will get one-and-half million dollars in annual payments for easements.

“Those dollars for the project stay here in the county,” he said. “This is a project that allows some of our participating landowners that have agricultural operations to add to that, and to have a project that allows them to kind of ride out the ups and downs and stay here in Fremont County.” The Fremont County board’s approval came after a two-hour-long public hearing Wednesday. Brian Langner of Farragut told the supervisors the only winner in the project is Invenergy.

“The energy’s going to go into the grid. It is not going to help our energy costs one bit,” he said. “It’s going to continue to tear apart our communities.” Supporters like Penny Bredensteiner of Northboro say the turbines will boost the county’s economy. “This will help the tax base, I think, a great deal,” she said. “It will bring money into our county which has no industry, no major industry, coming into it.”

Brandon Van Scyoc, of Sidney, questions the project’s impact on wildlife and on farmland enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. “They don’t care about us,” he said. “They don’t care about any of us. It’s all for the dollar.” Others raised concerns about noise from the turbines and told the board many homes located near to the proposed turbines were not included in the project map.

A Fremont County supervisor said the project fits within the county’s wind power ordinance and had been reviewed by the county’s engineer and attorney. A Page County supervisor says there are several unanswered questions about the project, including the impact the turbines might have on the signal for K-Y-F-R, an A-M radio station in Shenandoah.

The Shenandoah Hills Wind Energy Center would be located near the Missouri border, in southwestern Page and southeastern Fremont Counties, between the communities of Riverton and Coin.

(Ames, Iowa – DNR News) – Fishing for catfish is a fun summer tradition for many Iowa families. Invite someone new to come along this year to share the fun and memories. “Catfish will bite most of the time, no matter what the water temperature,” explains Daniel Vogeler, Iowa DNR fisheries technician. “They are biting in most lakes, ponds, rivers and streams across Iowa.” Bring along two coolers with ice, one to keep your bait firm and fresh and another to keep your catch cold and preserve that great taste.

Catfish have a great sense of smell and taste. Try prepared dip baits, chicken livers, minnows or chubs, green sunfish, bluegill, crawdads, frogs, nightcrawlers or dead, but fresh, goldeye or gizzard shad. Lakes stratify, or form layers, this time of year, with cool, oxygen-deprived waters sinking to the bottom. Don’t fish in water deeper than 8 to 10 feet on most lakes.

Channel catfish

Look for areas with vegetation, brush piles or rock. Use the DNR interactive fishing atlas to help you quickly find these spots. Fish the upper ends of the larger reservoirs where the water is shallower and baitfish like gizzard shad gather. Use baits fished on the bottom or suspended off the bottom with a bobber and let current or breeze move the bait to find active catfish.

Iowa rivers are loaded with catfish. Look for fish around downed trees and brush piles, but don’t overlook rock piles or other objects that deflect water and form a current seam. Position your bait just upstream of brush piles so the scent of the bait is carried downstream into the structure to draw the catfish out. Anchor the bait with a heavy weight so it doesn’t drift into snags. If fishing the big rivers, try upstream and on the tips of wing dykes and wing dams on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

Find more tips for catching, cleaning and cooking catfish on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Fishing-Tips-How-Tos/How-to-Fish-For-/Channel-Catfish-Fishing.

Des Moines – Show your support for the outdoors while enjoying a day at the ballpark watching the Iowa Cubs vs the Buffalo Bison this Sunday, July 17th, at 1 p.m. There will be hands on activities located near the indoor playground and opportunities to learn about outdoor recreation in Iowa. The first 500 attendees will receive a free I Cubs / Iowa DNR camouflage hat. A portion of each ticket sale will go to further the mission of the Iowa Hunter Education Instructors Association and to support and expand conservation and outdoor recreation programs across Iowa. Tickets are available by going to https://fevo.me/iowadnr2022

• Gates open at noon
• Salute to Service Honorary: Sergeant Craig Cutts, State Conservation Officer
• First pitch: Kayla Lyon, Director, Iowa Department of Natural Resources                                    Sergeant Craig Cutts, State Conservation Officer
• Iowa DNR Conservation Officer Honor Guard will present the colors

Iowa Hunter Education Instructor Association is committed to supporting organized conservation and outdoor recreation programs and efforts across the state of Iowa. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the primary functions of IHEIA are to provide funding and support to Iowa’s Hunter Education, Fish Iowa, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Outdoor Journey for Girls, Youth Hunter Education Challenge, Field to Fork, Hook and Cook, various youth shooting sports programs and other outdoor skills-based offerings.

Jim Field visits with Audubon County Extension Program Coordinator Ann Carter about the 2022 Audubon County Fair.

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(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon County Fair gets underway today, in Audubon. Here are today’s activities…

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13
9:00 AM Judging 4-H Static Exhibits
9:00 AM-6:00 PM Fair board secretary’s office open
9:30 AM 4-H Garden Plot Judging
2:00 PM 4-H Communications & Table Setting Event – Agrihall
4:00 PM Clover Kids Pet Show – Rabbit & Poultry Show Area
4:30 PM Clover Kids Showcase – 4-H Bldg.
5:00 PM 4-H Pet & Dog Show – Livestock Pavilion
6:00 PM 4-H Club booth displays must be set-up

The Audubon County Fair wraps-up on Sunday, July 17th, with the livestock sale in the evening, and other activities throughout the day.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Fair begins its full-run today (Wednesday). The schedule of activities includes:

6:30-8:30 am……….Enter & Weigh 4-H/FFA Swine – All livestock is to unload at dock and be
inspected by veterinarian.
8:00 am. ……………Opening Flag Raising Ceremony – Front Gate
8:30-2:00……………Bottle/Bucket Calf followed by Bottle/Bucket Calf Plus One Interviews
Extension Office, 906 6th Street
9:00-10:00 am…….Enter & Weigh 4-H/FFA Sheep and Goats
Unload at dock and be inspected by veterinarian
9:00-11:00 am…….4-H Cake Decorating entries – 4-H Exhibit Building
8:45 am……………..4-H Table Setting Exhibitor’s Meeting
9:00-11:00 am…….4-H Table Setting – 4-H Exhibit Building
11:15 am……………Best of Iowa Contest Exhibitor’s Meeting
11:30 am……………Best of Iowa Contest – Commercial Building
1:00 pm……………..4-H Booths to be finished
1:00 pm-6:00 pm….Enter Open Class Non-Livestock Exhibits
4:00 pm……………..Carnival
5:30-6:30 pm………Enter 4-H/FFA Rabbits – All livestock must be inspected by the vet before going to their cage
4:30-7:00 pm………Enter & Weigh 4-H/FFA Market Beef, Breeding Beef, & Dairy
All livestock is to unload at dock and be inspected by veterinarian.
4:30-5:30 pm………4-H/FFA Horses will be checked in – All livestock must be inspected by the
vet before going to stall.
6:00 pm……………GRANDSTAND: Tractor Pull
6:30-7:30 pm………Enter 4-H/FFA Poultry

The Shelby County Fair concludes Monday, July 18th, with the 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction.

ATLANTIC, IA – Produce in the Park is named for fresh vegetables, and many people associate farmers markets with honey, jams, fresh baked goods, and farm-fresh eggs. But, this week Produce in the Park is all about the meat at the market. Market Manager Brigham Hoegh says Produce in the Park vendors sell local beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. Shoppers aren’t always aware of these products because unlike granola and honey, they can’t be displayed on tables. Vendors selling meat keep these products in coolers, often behind their booths. And some meat is available only by preordering.

Maggie Mueller of Noble Provisions shares beef stick samples at Produce in the Park

• Noble Provisions joined Produce in the Park this year as a beef and pork vendor. The Noble Provisions table is a popular stop at the market in part because the Mueller family offers free samples of their beef sticks.
• Brun Ko Farm also sells pork and beef at the market, along with lamb and chicken (when available). Brun Ko Farm is now taking preorders for chickens that will be available in October.
• Bridgewater Farm currently offers chicken, beef, and limited pork. Bridgewater Farm meat is available by preorder only. To order meat from Bridgewater Farm, call or text Marcie at 641-745-7764 by noon on Thursday.

This week, Hungry Spartan Pizza Food Truck will be serving single slices of wood-fired pizza. Hungry Spartan wasn’t originally scheduled to come to the park this week, but the owner’s birthday is Friday and he called to ask if he could join on Thursday for an early birthday celebration. Be sure to wish Eric a happy birthday when you get your pizza! Produce in the Park continues to schedule additional food trucks for the season. Food truck vendors interested in participating in Produce in the Park should contact the Market Manager at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or 712-249-5870.

Details:

Produce in the Park July 14: MEAT Me at the Market; Time: 4:30-6:30 PM; Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022)

Food Truck: Hungry Spartan Pizza; Fun: It’s Parks & Rec month! Atlantic Parks & Rec will be at the park with yard games and Art in the Park; Live Music: Jeremie Faga

MEAT Me at the Market! The Guest Chef will be serving Homemade Hamburger Helper. Get your local beef, pork, lamb, and chicken from Produce in the Park vendors. Note: chicken is available preorder only. Product Highlights: Fresh produce (tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage, onions, lettuce, and more), meats, farm-fresh eggs, honey, popcorn, lemonade, pastries, crisps, soaps, candles, lotions, art prints, jewelry, greeting cards, plants, lawn decorations, and more!

(Radio Iowa) – More than a dozen people addressed the Iowa Utilities Board today (Tuesday), asking regulators to block the use of eminent domain by companies seeking to seize land for carbon pipelines in the state. Kathy Stockdale of Iowa Falls says two of the proposed pipeline routes go through her family’s Hardin County farm.

James Norris of Red Oak says one of the proposed pipelines would pass behind his house in Montgomery County.

Sherri Webb and her siblings were notified nearly a year ago that the proposed Summit pipeline would go through the farm that’s been in their family for 122 years.

Jessica Wiskus lives near Lisbon and her farm is on the proposed path of the Wolf Carbon Solutions project. She raised concerns about the danger of pipeline ruptures.

After speaking during the public comment period of the Iowa Utilities Board’s regular meeting, the group of pipeline opponents formed a caravan and drove by the governor’s mansion as a form of protest. Utilities Board officials say today’s (Tuesday’s) spoken comments will not be part of the agency’s official record as it considers the pipeline applications, but written comments can be submitted and those will be documented.