Front Row Left to right:
Secretary Of Agriculture Bill Northey, Haley Carlson, Emily Saeugling, Braden Bean, Cale Pellett, Kyle Redinbaugh
Back Row: Eric Miller, Adam Freund, Garrett Schwanke, Clayton Saeugling, Representative Jack Drake

LEWIS, Iowa—More than 35 high school ag students from FFA chapters across Iowa recently had the opportunity to get an up-close look at several agricultural topics during a field day hosted by Wyffels Hybrids. Students heard from industry experts and participated in hands-on activities with real-world applications.

Students learned from keynote speaker, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, about careers in ag and the growing need for talented and driven people in agriculture.

“I think the future is important and young adults need to realize they need to start thinking about their future and what they want to do with it. This event is a great way to layout the different careers in agriculture to better understand some interests that the students may have. With the growing industry there are many opportunities for the next generation,” Bill Northey said.
Members learned about topics ranging from livestock feed rations and food science, to agronomy and precision ag, to horticulture, native species and ag engineering.

“The field day was another great educational opportunity for the local FFA Chapters. I really enjoyed day and hope that Wyffels continues this program,” Atlantic FFA Chapter member Haley Carlson said.

This event continues to grow in popularity with high school students as it provided a large array of information on agriculture, and potential careers.

“The Wyffels Hybrids FFA Field Day for the Future has continued to grow in its exposure throughout southwest and west central Iowa in its four years. I continue to be impressed with the interest and interaction these future leaders of ag have, and show during our training,” said Bill Backhaus, Region Manager for Wyffels Hybrids.

Wyffels Hybrids donated $25 to FFA chapters for each student participant, plus a matching donation to the Iowa FFA Foundation.

About Wyffels Hybrids
Wyffels Hybrids, headquartered in Geneseo, Ill., is one of the nation’s largest independent seed corn companies. Focusing strictly on developing and marketing elite corn hybrids, the company is dedicated to providing corn growers in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Ohio River Valley with exceptional products, the latest agronomic information, and unmatched customer service and product support. To learn more or request information, visit www.wyffels.com or call 1-800-369-7833.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Police in Creston report three people were arrested on separate charges, over the weekend. Sunday afternoon, 40-year old Angela Dawn Temme, of Harlan, was arrested at the Creston Wal-Mart store on charges of Public Intoxication and Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. Temme was released from custody after posting a $300 bond.

And on Saturday, Creston Police arrested 30-year old Todd Allen Lorensen, of Creston, on a charge of OWI/1st offense. He was later released after posting 10-percent of $1,000 bond. That same day, 36-year old Larry William Jordan, of Creston, was arrested at the Elms Club, for Public Intoxication. He was released on his own recognizance by a magistrate judge.

Creston Police said also, the Wal-Mart store reported a theft on June 24th. The amount of loss was still under investigation.

The 7:05-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The president of the state’s largest teacher union is in Florida this week for the National Education Association’s annual meeting. Iowa State Education Association president, Tammy Wawro says “I think we will have a lot of conversations about re-authorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as No Child Left Behind. And having some discussions about what our priorities are as that comes to fruition.”

She says teachers would like to see more of a dashboard approach when it comes to looking at what the act is accomplishing. “Looking at what schools offer all students versus just a single test score to judge a school or a student’s ability to learn. So, trying to shift that focus from labeling and punishing to truly student learning and student opportunity,” Wawro says.

Wawro says it’s important to be able to provide the same opportunities to all students.
“We know that one in every five children — and nearly 15 million — live in households with income below the U-S poverty threshold. And that is a huge concern to us as we look at opportunities that all children have. We really hope that there’s a piece of it that has to do with arts and athletic programs at the same level of mandatory opportunity for all kids as that one test score.”

The conference began Sunday and runs through July 6th.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The governing board for Iowa’s three public universities is cutting ties with the man who has served as its top lawyer since 2004. A June 16th memo obtained by The Associated Press shows general counsel Tom Evans will soon no longer be employed by the Iowa Board of Regents.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Falls residents will decide Tuesday whether to back a $35 million bond issue that would help increase elementary school capacity. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the district wants to expand Orchard Hill and North Cedar elementary schools while also building a seventh elementary school. If it is approved, the bond issue would add $1.38 of taxes per every $1,000 of taxable value over the next 20 years.

CENTRAL CITY, Iowa (AP) — The ongoing bird flu outbreak has forced competitors at the Linn County Fair and other poultry events in the state to prepare educational displays and leave their birds at home. But the 79 participants in this weekend’s Linn County competition got to meet Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. He visited the fair Saturday to speak about poultry health and the bird flu.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa family that lost a son to suicide in jail this January is pushing for changes in the way people with mental illnesses are treated by authorities. Jim Cornick tells the Des Moines Register that sick people shouldn’t be sent to jail when they clearly need treatment.

CENTRAL CITY, Iowa (AP) – The ongoing bird flu outbreak has forced competitors at the Linn County Fair and other poultry events in the state to prepare educational displays and leave their birds at home. But the 79 participants in this weekend’s Linn County competition got to meet Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

Northey visited the fair Saturday to speak about poultry health and the bird flu. He encouraged the young people who developed 4-H projects and told them he was glad they were interested in agriculture. Iowa, Nebraska and many other states where bird flu has been found decided to prohibit poultry events this year to help limit the spread of the disease.

A woman from Adair County faces numerous charges following an accident at Orange Avenue and 230th Street on June 22nd. According to Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, 32-year old Kelly Marie McCormick, of Greenfield, was arrested on charges that include OWI/1st offense, No Insurance (accident related), Leaving the scene of an accident, Failure to Maintain Control, Driving Under Suspension, and Operating a Non-registered vehicle (a 2002 Ford Escape). McCormick was later released on $1,000 bond.

And, on June 25th, 31-year old Patrick Lawrence Nolte, of Stuart, was arrested for allegedly violating a No Contact Order issued by a magistrate. According to the complaint, Nolte showed up at a females’ place of employment and allegedly threatened to shoot a man who had provided the woman with a ride to work. The woman said Nolte told her he could show up other mornings as well, unless she talked to him. Her statement indicated she left with Nolte and drove around for a couple of hours until he took her home. Nolte’s bond was set at $300.

Governor Terry Branstad has until July 6th to make final decisions on the entire state budget outline legislators sent him earlier this month, but Branstad’s giving strong hints he’ll reject the legislature’s plan to keep the Mental Health Institutes in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant open. “I would point out Iowa was late to get serious about redesigning our mental health system,” Branstad says. “Other states like Minnesota went from 11 institutions to one. They’ve done that. Wisconsin has reduced the number of institutions. So has Nebraska and Illinois — most of our neighboring states.”

Already last week layoff notices were sent to 28 employees at the state-run Mental Health Institute in Mount Pleasant and 53 M-H-I employees in Clarinda. Branstad says he wants to “move forward” and shift to community-based mental health services. “We haven’t made a final decision, but I have shared my philosophy and my goals to have a better system that better meets the mental health needs of Iowans and I believe makes more sense,” Branstad says.

Branstad made his comments during taping of the Iowa Press program that will air today (Sunday) at Noon, on Iowa Public Television.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak report three, recent arrests. Early this (Sunday) morning, 18-year old Cara Belle Hale, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at 106 W. Coolbaugh Street, on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. Hale was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

And, late Saturday night, 25-year old Mildred Helenora Douglas, and 30-year old Jeremy Ray Dilocker, (also known as “Meatball”) both of Red Oak, were arrested on charges of Public Intoxication. Both were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond, each.