(Radio Iowa) – Field and equipment fires are not uncommon during the fall but the drought has caused a greater potential for problems this year. U-S-D-A Midwest Climate Hub director, Dennis Todey, says agricultural and emergency management leaders want remind everyone about the heightened hazard due to dry crops and vegetation near fields. “We’re aware of this and just wanted to share that message with people to be aware, react quickly, and be ready to deal with it if something does happen,” he says.

The fires can start in hot machines in the field, and they then have plenty of fuel to keep burning. He says vegetation and other things surrounding crop fields are also very dry and potentially could go up.

You add in some windy conditions and fires can quickly get out of hand. Firefighters recently battled a large field fire in Mills County near Emerson that involved several pieces of farm equipment. A dozen farmers with tractors and discs helped contain the fire before it could do any major damage. Todey says the problem will likely continue into November unless the state sees more substantial rainfall. The State Fire Marshal says there are 16 counties with burn bans.

• KJAN, Atlantic  .52″
• Atlantic Airport  .56″
• 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .45″
• Massena  .49″
• Elk Horn  .37″
• Anita  .39″
• Exira  .45″
• Audubon  .58″
• Avoca  .55″
• Neola  .7″
• Bridgewater  1.5″
• Corning  .63″
• Villisca  .75″
• Oakland  .74″
• Underwood  1.02″
• Red Oak  .42″
• Missouri Valley  1.28″
• Clarinda  .64″
• Creston  .45″

The hearing for the Summit carbon pipeline got underway again Tuesday with landowners discussing their concerns about the pipeline coming through their property. Dennis Graham testified he is concerned about whether there is insurance to cover any damages. He says they are pretty confident that they’re not covered under his personal policy. He says that covers normal farm operations, not a pipeline with compressed C-O-2. The Iowa Utilities Board has landowners listed to testify through Thursday, the Summit hearing could then wrap up.

(Radio Iowa) – The hearing for the Summit carbon pipeline is underway again today (Tuesday). State regulators has originally expected the hearing to wrap up in September, but testimony and questioning has taken longer than expected. The Iowa Utilities Board has landowners listed to testify through Thursday, and if things stay to that schedule, the Summit hearing could wrap up them.

In another pipeline permit case, Navigator is asking regulators to suspend the process for its carbon pipeline in Iowa until the company can get approval for the project from Illinois regulators. The proposed pipeline route includes around 810 miles in Iowa.

(Carroll, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting at 5 p.m., Oct. 5, in the lower level of the Swan Lake Conservation Education Center, 22676 Swan Lake Trail Drive, to discuss proposed largemouth bass regulation changes at Swan Lake, in Carroll County.

The Iowa DNR is proposing to remove the 16-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass and replace it with the statewide minimum length limit of 15 inches.  No changes to the bag limit are proposed.

Any person with special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments who wishes to participate in the public meeting should promptly contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov to advise of specific needs.

(Mt. Crescent, IA) – Pottawattamie County Conservation is developing plans for expanding four-season recreation opportunities at Mt. Crescent Ski Area near Crescent, and they want to hear from you! The hope is the Mount Crescent Ski Area will attract visitors from surrounding states all year long. There are open houses set to take place at Arrowhead Park’s Breezy Lodge this Friday, from 6-until 8-p.m., and on Saturday from 1-until 5-p.m., at the Mount Crescent Ski Lodge.

During the open houses, you’ll have an opportunity to learn more about development options at Mt. Crescent and share your ideas for what you’d like to see. Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks while kicking back at a bonfire or joining us for guided hikes. Participants will be entered into fun raffles for ski packages leading into the 2023-2024 season.

The Mt. Crescent Ski Area is located 15mi northeast of Omaha, Nebraska in southwest Iowa’s Loess Hills.

(Radio Iowa) – Dry weather gave farmers almost a full week of field time and the latest corn and soybean harvest numbers show the result. The U-S-D-A report show 16 percent of corn was out of the fields by the end of last week. That is up nine percent from the previous week and the corn harvest is now four days ahead of last year and the five-year average. Corn condition improved slightly to 51 percent good to excellent.

The soybeans harvested more than doubled — hitting 24 percent — up from 11 percent the week before. Beans are right about on schedule, just one day ahead of last year, and equal to the average. Soybean condition improved two percentage points so 49 percent are rated in good to excellent condition.

Combine harvesting corn. (ISU Extension photo)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Produce in the Park is a weekly farmers market and community gathering held every Thursday evening from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM in the Atlantic City Park. This week and next are the final two markets of the season! This week (Oct. 5th), local musician Sarah Selders will be providing live music and fan favorite, Pim’s Thai, will be on site from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Yard games, provided by Atlantic Parks & Recreation, will be available for kids of all ages to enjoy. Numerous vendors will be in attendance offering a variety of products including baked goods, produce, sweet treats and crafts.

This week you can also look forward to the following specialty items with numerous other vendors and community organizations in attendance:

Bridgewater Farms: wide assortment of produce including sweet potatoes
Brun Ko Farms: honey, radishes, peppers, sweet snacking peppers, 5, 10 & 20 lb boxes of heirloom slicing tomatoes, onions, garlic & jalapenos and leeks
CK3 Farms: wide assortment of produce including watermelon
Harrisdale Farmstead: assortment of produce including grapes
Imagine Garden Gifts: unique garden gifts including antique, vintage, and repurposed planters.
Kringleman: assorted Danish pastries
Neighborhood Bakehouse: sourdough, baguettes, sandwich bread & pumpkin spice sourdough
Noble Provisions: homegrown ribeyes, beef snacks (jerky, summer sausage, beef sticks), beef brats, patties, pork brats, Italian sausage, & ground pork

Noble Provisions

Piper’s Brae: aronia berries, aronia jam & eggs

All vendors accept cash, with many accepting credit cards and Venmo. All qualifying food vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as food stamps) with all fresh produce vendors accepting Double Up Food Bucks–coupons given for SNAP/EBT purchases of fresh produce. Produce in the Park is sponsored by: First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cass Health, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Gregg Young of Atlantic, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlantic.

For updates and information on Produce in the Park or how to sign up to participate, visit www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com. ‘Like’ or ‘follow’ Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).

(Radio Iowa) – Head, heart, hands and health are the four principles on which 4-H was founded, and the organization devoted to helping youth develop skills they can use now and throughout their lives is celebrating its founding this week. Emily Saveraid is executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation and she says the program has more than a century of history in our state and it’s still very much alive. “We reach about 120,000 young people throughout the state of Iowa, so that is both in 4-H clubs, it could be during some after school specialty clubs, special camps, all those types of things,” Saveraid says, “so lots of different ways for young people to interact with the 4-H program.”

Saveraid says many Iowa 4-H clubs are holding events to celebrate this week. “One special thing that the foundation hosts during National 4-H Week is Iowa 4-H Giving Day,” Saveraid says. “It’s an opportunity for alums and friends to give back to either their local 4-H program or a special area of the 4-H program that they were really passionate about.”
Saversaid says she’s excited about the future of the program in Iowa. “Really it’s about giving young people an opportunity to find that spark,” she says, “and to create places where young people can gather and feel safe and feel like they belong and can really explore those passions.”

Learn more by contacting your nearest county I-S-U Extension and Outreach office or by visiting: https://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/.