Officials with a grain elevator in Jefferson say no injuries were reported following an explosion this (Friday) morning. Landus Cooperative Executive Vice President of Communications and Marketing Kerrey Kerr-Enskat said in a statement to local media: “There was a dust explosion at the Landus Jefferson location at approximately 8:00am this morning, Friday, May 14 resulting in property damage. All employees are accounted for and there were no injuries.” Kerr-Enskat said also “The situation is contained and under control. An investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted.”

Local authorities described the property damage as catastrophic. A grain elevator shift where the explosion took place also blew the tops of the other cluster of grain bins off, along with severely damaging the catwalks and scaffoldings on top of the structures. The west side of the whole structure was crumbling Friday morning.

Firefighters from Jefferson, Scranton Grand Junction, and Carroll responded to the scene, along with Jefferson Police, Greene County Ambulance crewsd and the Iowa State Patrol.

(By Atlantic FFA reporter Aspen Niklasen) – Atlantic FFA member Taylor McCreedy was selected as a 2021 Stars Over Iowa Finalist as part of the 93rd Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference at Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, April 18- 20, 2021. 6 finalists were selected in the Agricultural Placement award area. The finalists were selected from a pool of 621 FFA members that will earn the Iowa FFA Degree—the highest honor the Iowa FFA Association can bestow upon an FFA member. “It was incredible to be a finalist and was an absolute honor to be on stage representing my chapter. It was definitely an amazing experience and an honor I was blessed to receive.” McCreedy said.

The star awards recognize students who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through their career development programs and demonstrated outstanding management skills. Taylor has been fortunate to be able to work with different species of livestock on a variety of levels. McCreedy said, “The skills I have developed are different for each species, and I have learned a lot from the diverse experiences. I have researched and developed feed regimes for the horses based on purpose and level of activity. This has improved their body condition, muscle, and overall health. For the dairy goats, I studied the physical structure and analyzed strengths and weaknesses of our does, including milk production, and located bucks for breeding that would correct the deficiencies.” Over the last two years, Taylor has been able to eliminate a shoulder issue that some of the goats had, and have become very competitive showing them. As a result of this success, Taylor has had many inquiries about selling future offspring.

Taylor McCreedy

Star Award group photo

“This has been a huge accomplishment for me because it involved learning a great deal about how dairy goats are judged and scored.” McCreedy said. In addition, Taylor learned to analyzed a lot of different bucks to find the perfect match for each doe. “Working with our meat goats has been similar to the dairy goats in my efforts to produce higher quality and faster growing market animals. I developed feed schedules and mixture to maximize rate of gain and successfully sold market animals that have become champions.” McCreedy has also learned a lot about the cow/calf operation and has become quite skilled at pulling calves.’It takes different skills to be successful with each species’, McCreedy said.

Stars Over Iowa finalists receive a plaque and a cash award. The Stars Over Iowa program is possible with support from Beck’s Hybrids through the Iowa FFA Foundation. Listed below are the Stars Over Iowa Finalists. Star Finalists in Agricultural Placement: Taylor McCreedy, Atlantic FFA, Atlantic Hunter Thompson, Edgewood-Colesburg FFA, Edgewood Kesley Holdgrafer, Northeast FFA, Goose Lake Kolton Eisma, West Sioux FFA, Hawarden Talin Knobloch, West Lyon FFA, Inwood Michael DeJong, Montezuma FFA, Montezuma.

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In a first for Atlantic FFA Taylor McCreedy won the 2021 Diversified Livestock Production. Taylor started DSB Ranch where she trains and boards 3 horses, raises high quality beef cattle and raises dairy goats. In the midst of COVID, Taylor came up with the idea to make and sell goat milk soap to overcome profit deficits. Taylor hopes to continue and improve genetics within her operation and build her brand with all of her animals on the farm.

Taylor plans to focus on working with her horses to better improve their performance, and has advanced to working with young horses to learn to break and train them from the ground up. McCreedy said, “I prioritize the importance of nutrition, different dietary needs for different stages of training, supplements, and general health as the horses age.” Taylor plans to continue to work with a training barn to further develop her skills, while helping riders by assisting with a youth camp over the summer. Taylor plans on continuing to develop her business, “This year I have expanded to include boarding, and I am responsible for the daily care of all the animals in my barn. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to work with young people, to work with younger horses, to provide board and care for horses, and to continue learning by riding other horses”. McCreedy said.

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.

ATLANTIC, IA (May 13, 2021) – Produce in the Park kicks off the 2021 farmers market season on June 3rd. Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoege says the market is excited to have live music, prepared foods, and community groups at the park in 2021.

Produce in the Park is a community-oriented farmers market held every Thursday evening (4:30-6:30 PM) from June 3 through September 30 in the Atlantic City Park. Shoppers at the market will find delicious fresh produce, baked goods, meats, farm-fresh eggs, and a variety of crafting products such as candles, soaps, and lotions.

Produce in the Park also offers the chance to learn about community organizations, and plenty of space to relax and distance while enjoying live music and dinner in the shady city park. “Produce in the Park is a great place to chill after work on Thursdays,” commented Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith. “Grab dinner and relax in the shade while listening to live music. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair!”

While Produce in the Park is welcoming community organizations back to the park in 2021, safety remains a top priority. To minimize the spread of COVID-19, Produce in the Park asks customers to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets, maintain a respectful six-foot distance from others, and mask when distancing isn’t possible.

Produce in the Park 2021 summer farmers markets are sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cass County Tourism, the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Cass County Health System, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

Produce in the Park continues to accept vendors for the 2021 season. Both food and craft vendors are invited to join the market. Vendors can register for the entire season, or sign up for just a few weeks. More information on vending at Produce in the Park can be found at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com. Questions on vending can be directed to Market Manager Brigham Hoegh at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or (712) 249-5870.

Stay up to date on the latest with Produce in the Park by signing up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com, and following Produce in the Park on Facebook @ProduceInThePark and Instagram @ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIA.

(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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