(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has finalized its state drought plan. D-N-R hydrology coordinator, Tim Hall, says the plan is a resource for state, county and local use. “We think it’ll give us a better opportunity to stay in front of drought conditions,” Hall says. The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa Agriculture Department helped develop the plan. Hall says the plan also draws from the longtime U-S Drought Monitor and provides a more localized version of that national program. “The drought plan also provides schedules and structure for having discussions and meetings and providing information to local decision makers during times of drought,” Hall says. “So we think it’s going to be a good tool to both prepare for and respond to drought conditions.”

State climatologist Justin Glisten is one of the primary contributors of Iowa information to the U-S Drought Monitor — and Hall says he’s helped develop the components of this state plan. “For example, in northwest Iowa stream level stream flows are very important for groundwater resources. So we’ve got the ability to look at statistical analysis of streamflow around the state to help us be better prepared for drought conditions,” he says. The plan divides the state into five regions, and will provide information on the drought status in each area. “Right now there are eight counties in northwest Iowa that are in our drought region one that we classify as being in drought watch. So it’s the lowest level of drought situation in the state,” Hall says. “So we do recognize that that corner of the state does still have some drought challenges.”

Hall says they will tweak the state drought plan as needed. “We’re going to spend the next this next year using the drought plan — and I suspect we’re going to learn quite a bit as we put it into practice,” he says. “We anticipate issuing a new version of the drought plan in about a year based on experience we get here in this first year.” You can see the full Iowa Drought Plan at the D-N-R’s website: iowadnr.gov.

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2023 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that producers in counties affected by eligible disaster events in Kentucky, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, and Tennessee can apply for cost-share assistance through the Emergency Grain Storage Facility Assistance Program (EGSFP). The new program provides cost-share assistance for the construction of new grain storage capacity and drying and handling needs, in order to support the orderly marketing of commodities. An initial allocation of $20 million in cost-share assistance is available to agricultural producers in affected counties impacted by the damage to or destruction of large commercial grain elevators as a result of natural disasters from Dec. 1, 2021, to Aug. 1, 2022. The application period opens later this month and closes Dec. 29, 2023.

“Weather events in 2021 and 2022 in several states caused catastrophic losses to grain storage facilities on family farms as well as a large, commercial grain elevator, leaving stored grain exposed to the elements and affecting storage and commodity marketing options for many producers,” Vilsack said. “USDA heard from congressional leaders, including Minority Leader McConnell, who identified a gap in our disaster assistance toolkit and used our Commodity Credit Corporation authority to act more quickly than waiting for specific legislation. This new program will provide cost-share assistance to help producers address their on-farm storage capacity needs that are necessary for marketing grain.”

This assistance from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is designed to help producers affected by the December 2021 tornadoes that passed through 11 counties in Kentucky, as well as producers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Tennessee affected by eligible disaster events in 2022. The program was previewed last fall and will be made available with the publication of the Notice in the Federal Register.

Eligibility : Maps showing the location of damaged grain facilities in Kentucky, Minnesota, South Dakota and surrounding eligible areas are available online. These maps depict damaged storage facility locations and the affected counties within a 30-mile radius of these facilities where producers may be eligible to apply for EGSFP benefits if they can demonstrate a need for additional on-farm grain storage capacity.  Additionally, FSA may determine a need for EGSFP assistance in counties in other states and regions during the application period where an eligible disaster event has damaged storage facility locations. Eligible disaster events include hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, derechos, straight-line winds and winter storms that occurred between Dec. 1, 2021, and Aug. 1, 2022.

EGSFP helps producers build permanent or temporary on-farm grain storage capacity, restore existing storage capacity, and purchase drying and handling equipment in affected counties.

The following types of new/used facilities and upgrades are eligible for cost-share assistance and must have a useful life of at least three years:

·       conventional-type cribs or bins designed and engineered for grain storage

·       open buildings with two end walls

·       converted storage structures

·       asphalt, concrete or gravel floors with grain piles and tarp covering,

·       ag baggers (including bags)

On-farm grain storage structures may account for aeration, drainage, and may require loading or unloading augers, drying and handling equipment.

How to Apply: Producers must submit the EGSFP Application, form FSA-413, and any additional required forms to their FSA county office either in person, by mail, email, or facsimile starting later this month and by the Dec. 29, 2023, deadline. Form FSA-413-1, Continuation Sheet for EGSFP, must be submitted with the FSA-413 when a group of producers are applying for assistance.

Payment Calculation: FSA will use the producer’s self-certified cost of the additional on-farm grain storage capacity or drying and handling equipment needed multiplied by the producer’s share of grain.   This amount will then be multiplied by the cost share factor of 75% or 90%. An eligible producer who certifies they are socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning and veteran farmer or rancher by filing form CCC-860 with FSA will receive the higher 90% cost share rate.

More Information : For more information visit the program webpage or the EGSFP fact sheet. USDA also has an existing Farm Storage Facility Loan Program that can immediately provide low-interest financing for eligible producers who may not be eligible for EGSFP but are in need of on-farm storage capacity.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa D-N-R has finalized its state drought plan. D-N-R hydrology coordinator, Tim Hall, says the plan is a resource for state, county and local use — and should give them a better opportunity to stay in front of drought conditions. Hall says the plan also draws from the longtime U-S Drought Monitor and provides a more localized version of that national program. He says it provides schedules and structure for having discussions and meetings and providing information to local decision makers during times of drought.

The plan divides the state into five regions, and will provide information on the drought status in each area. You can see the full Iowa Drought Plan at the D-N-R’s website: iowadnr.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad says the proposed pipeline projects that would capture the carbon dioxide emissions from Iowa and other Midwest ethanol plants will help Iowa agriculture and biotechnology level up. Branstad is the senior policy adviser for Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions, which is proposing one of the pipelines. He called Summit’s project “critically important.”

“And if we don’t do it, I think, and you’ve probably see the research that’s been done by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association that said we would dramatically lose out on the amount of ethanol from the state of Iowa. That would mean loss of jobs and dramatic reduction in the value of our corn crop, in our land value,” Branstad says.

Branstad made his remarks during the Iowa Biotech Showcase and Conference in Ankeny Wednesday. The ethanol industry supports the proposed carbon pipelines because they say carbon capture will make them eligible for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

A coalition of environmentalists, farmers and landowners oppose the projects because of concerns about their safety and their property rights.

(By Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

March 9, 2023 (Des Moines) — The spring/summer edition of the Iowa Travel Guide is now available to inspire travelers who want to plan their Iowa road trip. The free 140-page guide can be ordered online at traveliowa.com, by phone at 800.345.IOWA or picked up at any of Iowa’s Welcome Centers. An online version is also available.

The publication includes features on new events and attractions for 2023, RAGBRAI’s 50th anniversary, the Iowa State Fair, the Loess Hills, stops along the Lincoln Highway, golf courses and adventures on wheels. The guide also contains suggested attractions, restaurants, lodging properties, events and an itinerary for each of the five travel areas as well as campground listings. The cover features Rail Explorers in Boone.

“Demand for travel continues to be strong,” said Amy Zeigler, state tourism manager for the Iowa Tourism Office. “According to the US Travel Association, nearly half of Americans with travel plans agree that taking time off is more important than ever and more than half say travel is a priority in their budget. The redesigned Iowa Travel Guide is a great inspiration piece to encourage people to visit our state.”

The Iowa Tourism Office, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state’s beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $1.8 billion in tax revenues in 2021, with more than $1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 65,000 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.

(Radio Iowa) An Iowa company that plans to make boards out of the leftover stalks and leaves from corn known as stover, finally plans to open. Cornboard founder and C-E-O Lane Segestrom, says the original start up was delayed by the supply chain and other issues.

He says they will make pallets out of the corn-based boards.

Segestrom says it is great to finally see things move forward.

Segestrom talked about the plant’s start up Wednesday at a U-S-D-A forum on bio-based products.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley applauds news the U-S Trade Representative plans to formally dispute Mexico’s proposed ban on genetically-modified corn from the U-S. If those imports to Mexico are cut off, Grassley says it’ll mean millions of tons of Iowa corn won’t have a key buyer. Mexico’s proposed ban on G-M-O corn would begin in January of 2024.

Grassley says such a ban would have “a devastating impact” on farmers across America and in Iowa. Grassley calls Mexico’s proposed ban “ridiculous,” and one report says it would effectively phase out the import of 90-percent of U-S corn by January.

Grassley’s office says Iowa corn growers export 16-million tons of corn to Mexico each year, and over the last decade, one-quarter of all U-S corn exports went to Mexico, totaling nearly three-billion dollars of revenue per year.

(Radio Iowa) – Researchers at Iowa State University are studying the water content and temperature of crops using two sets of far-away sensors, one that’s on a satellite in orbit, while the other is mounted on the International Space Station. Brian Hornbuckle, an I-S-U agronomy professor, says they ultimately want to develop an early warning system for crop stress. Thriving plants respond to sunlight by opening thousands of microscopic holes on their leaves, which also releases water vapor, a process called transpiration.

Hornbuckle says plants that are stressed heat up as they’re no longer, essentially, sweating. While corn growers who use center pivot irrigation systems might be able to take action based on this information, most Iowa farmers would have to use the data to make economic decisions about whether or not to sell the grain they have in storage. The three-year ISU project is being funded by a NASA grant of about 536-thousand dollars.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate would legalize the sale of raw milk at dairy farms. Esther Arkfeld of Harlan, says when she lived in another state, she bought raw milk rather than formula for her baby, but found out when she moved to Iowa five years ago it was illegal here. “How is it that in the 21st century in a country where 45 of the 50 states allow the sale of raw milk Iowa — a state that prides itself on agriculture, farming and freedom — is the only Midwest state to criminalized it?” she asks.

Raw milk enthusiasts like Arkfeld says unpasteurized milk tastes better and has more nutrients. Critics say raw milk has more bacteria and is dangerous for pregnant women. The dairy industry opposes the bill. Justin LeVan is the secretary of the Iowa Dairy Foods Association, which represents dairy businesses.

“As soon as there’s an outbreak of any kind, the businesses in Iowa will suffer and milk sales will go down whether it’s associated with raw milk or not.” Under the senate bill it still would be illegal to sell unpasteurized milk at restaurants and farmers markets, but raw milk and other products like cheese, yogurt and ice cream that are made with unpasteurized milk could be sold legally at the dairy where it’s processed.

The Senate approved similar legislation a year ago, but bills to legalize raw milk sales have never been considered in the Iowa House.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County 4-H Endowment committee is hosting the annual 4-H Endowment Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 7 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. The Pancake Man will be dishing up fresh pancakes while 4-H members serve sausage, milk, and coffee. Supporters can enjoy all you can eat pancakes, cost is $8/adult and $6/youth 10 & under.

There is also a silent auction going on throughout the evening. The 11 4-H clubs in Cass County, as well as additional friends of 4-H and local business supporters can donate items. If a community business is interested in supporting the Pancake Supper with a Silent Auction donation, please contact the Extension Office. Baskets need to be to the office by March 3rd by 4:30pm. “This is a fun aspect to the pancake supper that is a little different each year.” says Katie Bateman, Cass County Youth Coordinator. “We will be featuring our baskets on our Cass County 4-H and Extension social media pages the first weekend of March.”

Proceeds from the 4-H Pancake Supper directly benefit the Cass County 4-H Program. The funds raised go to the Cass County 4-H Endowment. This committee distributes money accordingly to cover the 4-H Program Development Fee for all members, financial aid for out of county events, senior scholarships, and start-up dollars for new, innovative youth programs

The 4-H Program Development Fee is $30 per youth each year to enroll. Instead of having individual 4-H’ers and families take on that expense, the Cass County Extension Council and the 4-H Endowment Committee pick up this cost. “We are very fortunate in Cass County that our 4-H Endowment covers this cost for all members. That would not be possible for us to continue without the outstanding support from our community.” stated Bateman. The Cass County 4-H Endowment also offers grants for youth to attend 4-H camps or conferences outside of Cass County, encouraging them to take their 4-H experience to the next level. They also offer scholarships to graduating seniors.

For more information on the Pancake Supper, Cass County 4-H Endowment or how to join 4-H, contact Katie Bateman, Cass County Youth Coordinator, at 243-1132 or kbateman@iastate.edu.