(By Atlantic FFA reporter Aspen Niklasen) – Bryan York, of the Atlantic FFA Chapter is the first place winner in the area of Vegetable Production, which is sponsored by 4 Seasons Fundraising. Bryan runs his school’s garden and this past year, he harvested 1,285 pounds of produce. This was all distributed to his school system, community members, and his local food pantry. Due to COVID-19, Bryan couldn’t start his plants in the school greenhouse, so he started his 278 plants in his house.

Brian York

Bryan plans to continue to learn more about the processes of gardening and growing a business throughout the next year, and apply what he has learned to his operation. York’s goal is to expand this operation to involve more students who are interested in gardening as well. “I hope to turn this project into an outdoor classroom where many students can come to learn how gardens and farming affects them” York says. Bryan has already begun to expand his operation from last year to include a wider variety of vegetables for his customers to enjoy. York explains saying “After talking with many customers that bought produce from us last year, I was able to figure out what the community would like to see from us. Part of this included mixing up our product line to include a wide variety of vegetables”. York is also continuing to explore the soil Health practices that he implements into the growing area to learn how he can preserve hsi rich soil for the next generation of agriculturists.

100% of FFA members have proficiencies as part of the agricultural program and the FFA. These proficiencies range in the areas of Agricultural Communications to Home and/or Community Development and from Diversified Agricultural Production to Swine Production. Proficiency Award winners have excelled in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Programs. These awards encourage members to develop specialized skills that will apply toward a future career. State winners will advance to the National FFA competition where they will compete against winners from the other State FFA Associations. The Iowa FFA Proficiency Awards program is possible with support from the many partners of the Iowa FFA Foundation. The specific partner for each area is identified in our summary of results.

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This year 7 Atlantic FFA members earned their Iowa FFA Degree at the 93rd Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 20, 2021 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest degree that can be bestowed upon an FFA member by the Iowa FFA Association each year. Only 5% of the FFA members in Iowa receive the degree each year. This is the 2 highest number of FFA members from Atlantic to ever receive the award in a single year.

Front Row Left to right
Taylor McCreedy, Hannah Carlson, Caroline Pellett.
Back Row Left to right
Alyssa Derby, Craig Alan Becker, Garrett Reynolds, Gunner Kirchhoff.

To receive the Iowa FFA Degree, FFA members must meet the following standards: 1) Have been an active FFA member for at least 24 months; 2) Have completed at least two years of systematic instruction in agricultural education; 3) Have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 or worked at least 375 hours in a supervised agricultural experience program; 4) Have a satisfactory scholastic record; 5) Have demonstrated leadership abilities from a specific list of activities; 6) Have completed 25 hours of community service; and 7) Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the local level. This year Alyssa Derby, Caroline Pellett, Craig Alan Becker, Garrett Reynolds, Gunner Kirchhoff, Hannah Carlson and Taylor McCreedy have earned this prestigious award.

Alyssa began her SAE project by working for HyVee in Atlantic. After a year, Alyssa was looking for a different challenge so she became a barista at Scooters in Atlantic. As a barista Alyssa will make coffee drinks to hand out to customers. She works with dairy products daily and grinds coffee beans. For hot drinks, She also has to froth the milk and make sure it is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally Alyssa also works at the cash register and talks to customers to help establish a relationship.

Alyssa said “FFA has shown me what the true meaning of being a leader is. I’ve been able to step more out of my comfort zone and I’ve spoken with many individuals from all over the United States. Becoming the Vice President of the chapter has allowed me to learn my role as an individual and has helped me develop more relationships with members. My favorite experience was having the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis for National FFA Convention.“

Caroline grew on a farm and loves showing calves. As she grew up, she was very involved in anything with cows and especially baby calves. Caroline started off showing cattle in 4-H and then joined the Atlantic FFA Chapter. Caroline used money from showing calves to invest in calves and feed and started showing a feeder calf and the next couple years. Caroline then began showing carcass and show calves. I purchase grain from local distributors and sells her calves to local businesses, friends and family in town and surrounding areas.

Caroline said “I have really enjoyed being a part of the Atlantic FFA Chapter because it has given me many opportunities and has allowed me to create new friendships and get to know other people both within our school and outside of our school. I am very proud to have completed and received my Iowa FFA Degree.“ Craig Alan’s SAE project is working for Becker Ridge Farms, including the show cattle owned by the farm. Craig Alan got started with his SAE project when he was about 6 years old. While working for Becker Ridge Farms, Craig Alan has increased amount of responsibility each year. In exchange for labor Craig Alan, has been able to show the cattle projects at shows at local, state, and national levels.

Craig Alan said “From the time I joined in 8th grade, FFA has presented me with many opportunities to become a better leader and overall person. Through my involvement with the organization, I have attended several leadership conferences, competed in many different livestock contests, and traveled to the National FFA Convention. Throughout this journey I also learned a countless amount of lessons that I know will carry with me the rest of my life. Therefore I am glad to have received the Iowa FFA degree, and look forward to seeing how my involvement with this organization will benefit me in the future.”

Garrett’s SAE Project is working at Fareway in Atlantic. Garrett started mostly bagging and carrying out groceries as a courtesy clerk. As his time there began to grow, he got more responsibilities. Garrett now spent most of his time stocking and filling the shelves. He then moved into dairy section and would do this for another year or so closing down the store at night and such. In the spring of 2020, Garrett moved to the produce department, cutting and filling fruit and veggies. Garrett said, “Get involved and be active, FFA will help you do great things.“

Gunner was very interested in the electrical field when he took an electrical class as a sophomore. That summer he went to the local electrical shop, Brown Electric Co., and asked them if they would be interested in a high schooler’s help and Gunner’s SAE Project began. Gunner has used his job at Brown Electric to begin his Apprentice Journeyman. Gunner assists in all day to day operations at Brown Electric by helping the Journeymen with whatever they need. He brings them supplies from the shop and helps pull wire through conduit. Gunner helps bend and lay the conduit, wire up switches, lights, ceiling fans, grain bin fans, outlets, breakers, garage doors. Kirchhof said, “I help wire whatever needs electricity. I have wired up new motors for your grain bin. I have worked in new houses, old houses, new shops, old shops, grain bins, and much more business and residential that need anything electrical.”

“Brown Electric were more than excited to see someone interested. That was how I got my start in one of the greatest trade fields to be in. Hopefully, this will help me further my career in the Electrical Industry.” Kirchhof said. When asked about his FFA experience, Gunner said “Listen to Miller, he knows how to get you where you want to go.” Hannah began her SAE Project Goat Herd project in elementary school. Her herd slowly started growing from there, my first goat eventually had babies and so did her babies, thus expanding my herd. After a while Hannah could afford to buy goats instead of just breeding existing goats. Hannah also expanded her SAE Project to her cattle business. She helps move and check cattle, give shots to babies and sick cows, feed and hay cattle on the family farm. Hannah also works during the spring and fall in the fields to help plant corn and soybeans in the spring. In the fall Hannah runs the grain chart during harvest.

Hannah said, “My Iowa Degree taught me you can do hard work, learn new things, make some good memories, and still have fun.” Taylor has two SAE Projects, DBS Ranch and working for WindyPines Farms. Taylor developed her love for horses and riding at a young age while working at Windypines Farms. In addition to caring for and working with horses Taylor has been instrumental in caring for the livestock on our farm which includes meat goats, dairy goats, chickens and cattle. WindyPines farm produces quality breeding animals and Taylor has been very involved in the daily care and general health of the family’s livestock. Taylor also earned extra income by working part time jobs doing a variety of things. She worked for relatives doing odd jobs in order to make money. Since her equine business has grown to the capacity of my facilities. Although Taylor will still work for Windypines Farms, she will also breed and raise quality dairy goats for milk production and animal sales. Taylor markets milk and milk products for a variety of uses. This project will give her an opportunity to develop, expand, market, and earn income from my dairy goat herd. “I have successfully shown my dairy goats at a very high level of competition, so the business idea was introduced to me by others who want to buy goat kids from me for exhibition and breeding stock. I have learned to make goat milk soap to sell, and have sold goat milk to pork producers to feed underweight show pigs McCreedy said.”

Taylor said, “FFA has been a life changing experience for me! It has given me opportunities to explore many different areas of agriculture and allowed me to become a better leader, public speaker, and has been filled with incredible memories. I am proof that if someone takes advantage of the opportunity to grow, learn, and apply themselves that hard work pays off! Earning my Iowa Degree was definitely a goal I had set several years ago, and to reach that goal is incredibly fulfilling! I am grateful to the FFA Organization for providing the platform to succeed and find a path to follow in College.”

Each Iowa FFA Degree recipient receives a certificate and the Golden State FFA Degree Charm which is made possible with support from Pioneer-Corteva through the Iowa FFA Foundation.

(Radio Iowa) – Two brother farmers from Iowa will spend time in prison for tax evasion. Sixty-one-year-old Scott Stecher, and 58-year-old Doug Stecher or Clarion were each sentenced to one month in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion in December. The brothers admitted that they diverted income from their farming operations to hide it from the I-R-S and evade paying income taxes from 2011 through 2013.

The information shows Doug Stecher hid 719-thousand dollars of income paid 240-thousand dollars less in income tax. Scott Stecher hid 448-thousand dollars of income and paid 183-thousand-785 dollars less in income tax as a result.

(Radio Iowa) – Some livestock producers in Iowa saw little or no financial aid during the latest round of federal COVID-19 relief payments. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is sending a letter to U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding payment limitations. Cora Fox, the association’s director of government relations, says the U-S-D-A was slow in putting out additional COVID payments intended for cattle producers and put a limit on them. Fox says, “Unfortunately, there are producers that carried quite a bit of risk due to their investments and they actually did not receive any additional assistance in this most recent round.”

The Cattlemen’s Association said in the letter that it wants the agency to know the payment limitations don’t fit what Congress intended. “Congress felt that cattle producers were not adequately compensated and that’s why we were explicitly included in that appropriations package,” Fox says. “Congress went as far as to provide the formulas and make stipulations regarding those payments. They did not, however, include a payment limitation.” Fox says there are many Iowa cattle producers who experienced significant losses and were denied pandemic funds, while others, who had minimal losses, were paid in full.

“USDA didn’t have any discretionary authority there in interpreting the directive, deciding how much anyone should get paid, anything like that, on a per head basis, yet they’re utilizing a payment limitation from last year,” Fox says. “What it’s done, it’s really missing the mark on a specific group of cattle producers that had significant losses.”

She says several feeder cattle operators who are struggling were completely left out of the aid due to the U-S-D-A-imposed payment limitations.

(Radio Iowa) – The Carroll City Council has approved providing 100-thousand dollars in matching funds if a state grant application to repave part of the Sauk Rail Trail comes through. The 33-mile trail runs from Swan Lake State Park just southeast of Carroll to Lake View, near Black Hawk Lake State Park. Carroll City Council member Carolyn Siemann says she’s gotten feedback on the project from residents. “I have to say after we discussed a while back a couple of people said they’re happy we’re expanding, but they also know upkeep and maintenance is so important, too,” she says, “so there is enthusiasm for this.”

The trail is eight-foot wide and Carroll City City Manager Mike Pogge-Weaver says the plan would be to put a five-inch concrete surface on top of the asphalt. “There are some areas where the trail has deteriorated to a level where they’ll remove existing asphalt and replace with concrete and then additionally, under bridge underpasses, they’ll remove the asphalt and put in concrete, so they don’t raise the level in those areas,” he says, “just for clearance reasons.”

The Carroll County Board of Supervisors also has voted to provide 100-thousand dollars in matching funds if a one-MILLION dollar state grant comes through. The Iowa D-O-T has has set aside five million dollars for repairing trails and grant applications are due next week.

(More on the web at http://www.sauk-trail.com/)

Officials with Connections Area Agency have announced that the state is continuing the Farmers Market voucher program for older Iowans.  With this program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce.  This year since  senior centers and offices are currently closed to the public, officials will be asking individuals to call-in beginning June 1st, to 800-432-9209 x8888 and leave a message with their name and phone number.

All calls will be returned within five business days.  The staff person who returns your call will then fill out your application on the phone and vouchers will be assigned and mailed out on Thursdays of each week.

Program Criteria:

• Must be at least 60 years of age or older
• Annual income must be less than

$23,828              Single

$32,227              Married

• When a staff member returns your call please indicate whether you are applying as an individual or a married couple.
  

Outline of Process: 

• Connections Farmers Market line open for applicants to leave their name and number for an application call back.
• PLEASE LEAVE ONLY ONE MESSAGE PER INDIVIDUAL OR COUPLE. DO NOT LEAVE MORE THAN ONE MESSAGE.
• All calls will be returned within five business days.
• Vouchers will be mailed out on Thursdays of each week.
• Due to COVID-19 we will not accept any walk-in applicants at our local offices or meal sites; this method is the only way to obtain Farmers’ Market vouchers in 2021.

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is set to host four educational, on-farm events, in June. “BeefMeets” feature educational sessions on policy and production, industry updates, a farm tour, trade show and meal. This year’s focus is climate and environmental sustainability. Well-respected professionals will share how beef cattle producers can further enhance their reputation as the original stewards of the land and natural resources at the meetings, one of which is set to take place in Lewis, on June 10th. (see details below)

Thursday, June 10: Southwest Region BeefMeet at the Euken-Myers Farm (67242 610th St.) Lewis, IA.

“Beef Sustainability – A Paradigm Shift” presented by Ashley McDonald, NCBA senior director of sustainability . There is more and more going on around beef sustainability, but the good news is the world is beginning to see U.S. beef production as part of the solution to their environmental challenges. Find out what the landscape of goals, commitments and initiatives looks like and how the cattle industry can further enhance its reputation as the planet’s original stewards, driving demand for our product.

Other event dates and locations can be found here. In addition to the educational sessions, a full trade show and networking opportunities, cattlemen will have the opportunity to share policy and industry concerns with ICA leaders. The evening will conclude with a tour of the hosting beef operation.The regional BeefMeets will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome. The price is $25 for members, $35 for non-members and free for students.

Come see how the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is working for you at the 2021 BeefMeets! Register today at https://www.iacattlemen.org/events-meetings/beefmeets-regional-conventions or call 515-296-2266. Payment will be taken at the door, the day of the event.

w/Kate Olson.

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(Radio Iowa) – Favorable conditions for planting continued again last week. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the dry weather kept things moving.Naig says the dry weather allowed planting to move ahead quickly — so 86 percent of the corn crop is now planted and 67 percent of the soybean crop is done — with corn 10 days ahead of the five-year average and soybeans are 15 days ahead of the five-year average. The Monday crop report shows central Iowa farmers have less than 10percent of their corn crop remaining to be planted. Corn emergence improved to 22 percent — up from two percent last week — and Naig says it’s hope the emergence can continue to improve.

“We’ve seen some cooler and drier conditions that have certainly caused that corn to lay in the ground a little longer than maybe normal. But with a much-needed rain, a drink of water will get that corn growing. And some sunshine of course — we need heat to get things going,” according to Naig. He says the recent rise in corn and bean prices adds to the excitement for farmers getting into the fields. “Farmers are feeling a lot better about prices this spring versus the last couple of years. And certainly that’s good when you can look at the marketplace and know that you can lock in a profit for the year,” Naig says. “Now with that, some of the input costs have been going up and certainly livestock products have been experiencing some increases in feed costs as well.”

Naig says farmers are always optimistic as the planting season moves ahead — but also know conditions often change. “Weather and markets are two things where the only constant is change, and folks are used to dealing with that,” Naig says. Naig says the optimism is high that the year will go well and farmers will have a good result when it comes to the harvest. He says a strong demand right now has resulted in much higher prices.

(Radio Iowa) – It has been too cool and dry for mosquitoes to get very active so far this year — but you may have noticed another insect flying around. I-S-U entomologist, Donald Stewart, says wasps have been active. “Most of these are paper wasps with an elongated, about an in long, brownish color. It’s the wasp that makes a nest up under the eaves of your house. It looks like a little upside down umbrella hanging there,” Lewis says. He says the wasps right now are looking for a place to live.

“Those nests are started by a single queen,” Lewis explains,”and they are quite active on the warm days of spring as they look for a sheltered location where they can build that nest.” But Lewis says they shouldn’t be very aggressive. “They aren’t interested in stinging, they’re interested in finding a place to make a nest — build a little nest, catch a little food, lay a few eggs,” according to Lewis. “Later in the summer when the population increases, then the wasps will be a little bit more aggressive, but right now they are not quite as threatening as people expect.”

Lewis says they shouldn’t pose much of a concern.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has introduced a bill with a bipartisan group of senators that would force meatpackers to buy at least half of their weekly beef supply on the open market. The vast majority of cattle sales today are private sales, and Grassley says he met with independent farmers this week who can’t gauge the fair market price for their cattle. “I met in Jones County, Iowa with 150 cattlemen that were very irate about the dominance of these four big packers having 80% of the slaughter and 80% of each daily slaughter is either pre-contracted or by the company-owned cattle,” Grassley says, “so the independent producer can’t get a market.”

Grassley says lawmakers need to intervene, because the cattle market isn’t working. “We’ve got to pass this legislation so the independent producer can negotiate a price and know when he can deliver,” Grassley says. Grassley says he began talking about this issue in 2002, but abandoned the effort in 2007 when he could not muster the votes to get a bill passed in the U.S. Senate. “And then a year ago, the cattle people came back to me from Iowa came back to me and said: ‘Would you resurrect your bill?’ I thought: ‘Ye gods, we’re going to go through the same thing again and not get any support?’ You’d be surprised the number of people that signed up for my bill almost immediately,” Grassley says. “We have good, bipartisan support now and I think it’s got no problem getting out of the agriculture committee.”

Grassley made his comments during taping of “Iowa Press,” which airs this weekend on Iowa P-B-S. According to the U-S-D-A, Iowa ranks fourth among the states in the number of cattle destined for slaughter at a meatpacker.