A bill eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate would let state officials charge varying camping and lodging fees at state parks. Senator Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs says it would allow officials to employ “dynamic pricing.” “There are peak times and non-peak times and we have a bunch of great properties and we have to ask ourselves: ‘How can we bring more traffic there?’ — especially in non-peak times, because it’s better for everyone in the end,” Dawson says. Dawson envisions varying fees for lodging and camping spots within a state park. “There might be a lake there where the more desirable cabins are down by the lake as opposed to a little far removed,” Dawson says.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources oversees the state’s parks, reserves and forests. There are more than 47-hundred campsites within those state-owned properties.  “We’ve got great parks. We’ve built some brand new cabins over the last few years and they’re just fabulous,” Dawson says, “And we ask ourselves: ‘How can we get more traffic there?’ So I think this is kind of creative a great way to drive that traffic.”

Another senator suggests say state officials might opt for two-nights-for-one pricing specials during the early spring and late fall to attract more off-season campers. The bill got unanimous approval in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, on Wednesday.

(Radio Iowa)

AMES, Iowa – Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) is once again working with experienced farmers across the state to offer aspiring farmers on-farm job opportunities through the Labor4Learning program. For the 2018 season, 14 experienced farmers from around the state have signed on to hire an employee through the program and to provide additional training on topics critical to successfully running a farm business. To qualify as a trainee, applicants must have a strong desire to learn; apply to and be hired by a trainer farm; and be or become a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Locally, 2018 Labor4Learning Farms include:

• Dale and Marcie Raasch – Bridgewater Farm – Adair County (Bridgewater) – Certified organic vegetables and fruits; hay, cattle, hogs, broilers, laying hens
• Denise O’Brien and Larry Harris – Rolling Acres Farm – Cass County (Atlantic) – Produce, cover crops, poultry
• Jon Bakehouse – Maple Edge Farm – Mills County (Hastings) – Corn, soy, alfalfa, beef cattle, pasture, small grains

Officials with PFI say having sufficient on-farm work experience is vital to the success of new farmers just starting on their own. Most on-farm employment opportunities, however, are limited in scope and don’t expose employees to the full range of skills needed to be successful.

Now entering its sixth year, Practical Farmers’ Labor4Learning program helps fill the need by connecting aspiring farmers seeking paid on-farm training with experienced farmers looking for eager employees. In addition to their normal job responsibilities, those in the program receive training on topics such as record keeping, marketing and other skills important for running a farm business. At the start of employment, the trainer and trainee agree on a set of learning outcomes to address during the course of employment, beyond the normal job-related work activities.

Complete job descriptions and program details can be found at practicalfarmers.org/labor4learning.