The Cass County Conservation Board (CCCB) will be hosting an “Intro to Turkey Hunting” program, Saturday March 18, 2023 at 10:00am at the Outdoor Classroom shelter, located at 76977 Tucson Rd, Massena, IA. This program will focus on “Becoming a Turkey Hunter”. CCCB employees will talk about scouting, calling, and equipment needed as well as different techniques and equipment used by successful turkey hunters.

This program will be great for someone who wants to start turkey hunting or those with more experience. The CCCB will have examples of calls, decoys, blinds and other tools used in the turkey woods. Once again there will be a drawing for a prize at the end of the event.

So, if you want to hit the Turkey woods this spring but don’t know where to start, or would just like to pick up another technique or tip, come see us at the Outdoor Classroom on March 18, 2023 at 10:00am to learn a few things and get started on your turkey hunting adventure. For questions call CCCB Director Micah Lee at 712-769-2372.

Hamburg, Iowa  – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Golden Hills RC&D and the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway have announced the Waubonsie State Park Artist in Residence awards for the 2023 Program! The Artist in Residence program was created to help reach a broader audience of park-goers, thus increasing the number of visitors and ultimately educating more people about the Loess Hills ecosystem. The artists and visitors will engage with the natural resources of the park through an artistic lens. Many quality applications were received from artists representing a wide array of disciplines. Three artists were selected to fill residencies ranging from one to two weeks long in March and April. Those artists receiving the residency awards for the current season of the Waubonsie State Park Artist in Residence Program include Rodger Geberdling, Marcia Wilson Holliway and Tina Campbell. The artists will use their time at Waubonsie to immerse themselves in the landscape as a source of inspiration and opportunity to intensely focus on their work. The artists represent a variety of mixed media, painting, and photography.

• Rodger Geberdling is a multidisciplinary artist from Council Bluffs who is active in applied arts, book illustration, art instruction, writing and acting. His painting, drawing, collage, and other multimedia work is currently represented at multiple galleries and exhibitions across the country. Rodger’s mixed media paintings and found/created object constructions range from portraits (real and imagined) to still-lifes and landscapes. He works primarily from imagination as colored by his surroundings, using sketches and memory to make personal impressions of people and places. During his time at Waubonsie, Rodger will focus on landscapes and impressions of structures as seen on daily walks. He sees this residency as a kind of visual, day-to-day journal. Rodger will occupy the first residency period of 2023, during the first half of March.
• Marcia Wilson Holliway is a multidisciplinary artist from Nebraska City. Marcia shares, “Seeing and feeling texture, pattern, light and color stirs my soul. People, places, and nature are inspirations for my art! When I’m not painting in Plein Air you might find me arranging found objects. As they start relating to one another they become cohesive. Something beautiful comes to life, reminding me this process is happening in my own life as well. As I collaborate with purpose, my Creator, and others, I continue writing my story, creating goodness, beauty, and art. Although my life, poems, art, and journals can be kept private, I am convinced that life is most fulfilled when I share them.” Although the dates and details have not been secured yet, Marcia says that her programming piece will be an invitation to park goers of all ages to participate in a hands-on experience that will encourage celebrating nature, further exploration, and appreciation of their surroundings. Marcia’s residency will take place during the second half of March.
• Tina Campbell with Fence Row Photography is a landscape photographer from Norwalk, Iowa. She shares, “As a landscape photographer I am not just discovering the beauty but also the healing element of being in nature. Whether on the backroads or hiking trails, or just in my own backyard, nature has provided me a consistent element of connection and peace. It is my hope that my photography might bring that connection to others and inspire more awareness of the beauty in our everyday.” When Tina does her public program, she plans to lead a group on a guided photo walk and explain her gratitude practice approach of not just looking at the big picture, but really focusing on the little things. Tina will participate in a one-week residency at the beginning of April.

One of the region’s ecological and recreational treasures, Waubonsie State Park’s 2,000 acres in the (Luss) Loess Hills of southwest Iowa feature prairies, savannas, and woodlands which are home to diverse flora and fauna, not to mention breathtaking vistas. Park Manager Matt Moles has worked with Golden Hills RC&D Project Coordinator Lance Brisbois and Loess Hills National Scenic Byway Coordinator Rebecca Castle to develop and launch the project. While there have been other artist residency programs offered through the National Parks System and parks in other states, this was the first such program in one of Iowa’s State Parks. The program is loosely modeled after similar regional residency programs.

The artists will receive lodging in a studio cabin and a primitive studio space in the park at no cost for the duration of the residency. In return, artists will deliver at least one public program and donate one piece of art to the park at the conclusion of their stay. The programs will be announced as they are scheduled, and may happen either during the residency period or at a later date during the peak season.

Waubonsie State Park is only about an hour’s drive from Omaha or Lincoln, NE; two hours from Kansas City; and 2.5 hours from Des Moines. It is located near the southern end of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. To learn more about the Artist in Residence program and the artists, visit www.goldenhillsrcd.org/artist-in-residence. If you are an artist and are interested in learning about how to apply, please email rebecca@goldenhillsrcd.org.

w/Kate Olson.

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(Radio Iowa) – It’s a farmer versus farmer debate over proposed rules for developers planning to build three carbon pipelines through Iowa. Under a bill that’s cleared a House subcommittee, landowners along 90 percent of a pipeline’s route would have to grant voluntary access before developers could get state officials’ permission to seize the rest of the land. Kevin Kuhle, a lobbyist for the Iowa Farm Bureau, says the organization backs the bill. “We believe that infrastructure projects and property rights can coexist,” Kuhle says. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association opposes the bill, arguing it would kill the pipeline projects intended to make ethanol carbon neutral. Devon Mogler represents Green Plains, which operates ethanol plants in Shenandoah and Superior.

“Our downstream customers that we reduce carbon intensity and now there are federal incentives in place that can not only benefit us, but farmers as well.” Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison is the bill’s lead sponsor. “I have no problem with the pipeline. I do have a problem with the blunt force of government being used to seize other people’s land for this project,” Holt says. “That is my concern. That is the reason we wrote this legislation.” Jake Ketzner, a lobbyist for Summit Carbon Solutions, says it would be devastating for Iowa if the pipelines don’t get built.

“In Iowa, over 60% of the corn produced in our state goes to ethanol production,” Ketzner said. “Can you imagine and rural Iowa or our state in general with reduced ethanol plants and 60% of the demand for corn gone?” A large group of landowners who oppose the pipelines rallied on the Iowa Capitol steps this (Tuesday) morning.  “We cover every corner of this state and we’re here to say it’s time that our elected officials work for us and stop these carbon pipelines,” she said. That’s Kim Junker. She and her husband farm near New Hartford and they’re unwilling to voluntarily let the Navigator pipeline pass through their property.

Senator Jeff Taylor, a Republican from Sioux Center, has proposed five different bills that would limit carbon pipeline development. He spoke to rally goers. “Even though my bills are stalled on the Senate side right now, the House bill would not have happened if not for you guys lighting a flame under we legislators here at the Capitol,” Taylor said, to cheers. “I know that’s true.” Three companies have proposed pipelines through the Midwest to capture carbon from ethanol plants and store the material underground in North Dakota.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting this (Tuesday) morning, in Atlantic. The Board approved a Class B retail alcohol license for the Griswold Dollar General Store, and they approved an adjustment to the status of Secondary Roads Department employee James Stokely, from “Probationary,” to regular full-time employee, for the Operator 1 position. Stokley’s promotion is effective March 1, 2023.

In other business, the Board received a regular weekly report from County Engineer Trent Wolken. He mentioned like most of the other County Department Heads, he’s been busy working on his budget, and he has interviews scheduled this for an Equipment Operator 1 position. Wolken said also, there are problem spots crews are trying to hit with spot road rock until they can a better layer down.

He said also he’s working with Mid-American Energy to close out the Wind Mill repower project, which he calls “A process,” including a couple of other meetings, with regard to road & bridge damage.

HCA’s John Thomas addresses the Cass County BOS

The Supervisors also heard from Hungry Canyons Alliance representative John Thomas, whose office is in the Golden Hills R C & D building, in Oakland. The Alliance represents 19 counties in southwest Iowa. Thomas said Cass and other alliance members pay a fee of $5,000 per year. He discussed efforts to control stream bed degradation.

He says on the downstream side of the bridges, HCA cost-shares on building those projects known as “weirs.

They also build culverts and other structures to control erosion and bank degradation. EWP (Emergency Watershed Protection) and HCA combined to complete 67 projects in 2020 and 2021, he said. The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, a federal emergency recovery program, helps local communities recover after a natural disaster strikes.

In Cass County, there were three recent projects, including one each along Turkey Creek and the West Nodaway River.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Utilities Board has issued a schedule for the permit application process for Summit Carbon Solutions proposed carbon dioxide pipeline. The I-U-B order says it will hold a technical conference on March 15th at 10 a-m to discuss logistics for the hearing and to help those who want to file opposition or support of the pipeline can proceed.

The conference will discuss the schedule and provide information about how the I-U-B envisions the hearing will be conducted. Specific dates for the hearing will be determined at the technical conference. Summit is proposing approximately 687 miles of pipeline in Iowa.

For more information on the technical conference, go to iub.iowa.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – From driving tractors to school to educating elementary students on the importance of feeding the world, F-F-A Week is underway nationwide. There are 18-thousand-606 Iowans involved in this program — including Hunter Hayes of Webster City who likes the interaction. “Big opportunity to get involved with the community, and high school, get your name out there be able to help out with a lot of different organizations. F-F-A does help out with food drives and different stuff like that and it does actually help make a difference within the community,” Haye says. Haye says F-F-A has helped him broaden his abilities.

“You become a really close group of friends you spend a lot of time together you do some traveling you learn practical skills for the real world going out talking to people for some donations lining up different events you really learn a lot of skills that help you out moving forward with your life,” he says. Hayes says the group used to be called Future Farmers of America, but became F-F-A to make everyone feel welcome to the group.

“And that is to really broaden that spectrum. F-F-A doesn’t look to just say this is only for farmers and farmers’ children, we really want this to be a community organization and bring everyone in to be a part of it,” Hayes says. F-F-A is 95 years old. Find out more information or find a chapter in your area at: www.ffa.org.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Pork Producers Association is hosting four regional conferences across Iowa this week. Dal Grooms, the organization’s spokeswoman, says the meetings will be focused on providing useful information for hog farmers. “In the morning, we’re going to have Pork Quality Assurance Plus training for people who need to get their certification in that,” Grooms says, “and that’s really a training that helps people understand how to take better care of pigs.” Grooms says the afternoon sessions will include a host of local and regional experts who will be discussing a range of issues.

“We’re going to talk about African Swine Fever and what’s going on in Europe with that and what kind of lessons can be learned,” Grooms says. “We’re also going to talk about economic issues for the livestock industry, for the swine industry, and probably talk a little bit about corn and soybean prices.” One session will zero in on how hot weather can quickly cause critical problems for pork producers during the Iowa summer.

“We’re going to talk about some research that’s been done at Iowa State in terms of heat stress as it relates to barn ventilation,” she says, “and then finally, we’re going to talk about the value of manure. Iowa State’s done a lot of research there as well and can help people determine what is that value that they put on their crop fields.”

The meetings will be held in Orange City today (Monday), Webster City on Tuesday, Nashua on Wednesday and in Washington on Thursday. Learn more at: iowapork.org.

(Radio Iowa)- The Iowa D-N-R will start a series of series of town hall-style meetings Monday where local staff provide updates on the recently completed hunting seasons and possible changes to hunting rules and regulations.
Wildlife Biologist, Todd Gosselink, they hope for some good interaction.

Gosselink says there are often questions that come up and this is a chance to provide some answers.

Gosselink says he hasn’t heard of any major concerns with the most recent hunting seasons.

The first meetings are Monday at the DeWitt Community Library at 7 p-m and at the Waverly Public Library at 6 p-m.
Here is the schedule for the rest of the meetings:

• February 21st: Bloomfield, 6 p-m, Wapello County Conservation Board Pioneer Ridge Nature Center; Creston, Southern Prairie YMCA 6 p-m; Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 6:45 p-m; Lakeview Speaker Park Shelter House; Perry Forest Park Museum Building, 7 p-m; Otter Creek Lake & Park Nature Center in Toledao at 7 p-m.
• February 22nd: in Algona,6:30 p-m. at the Waters Edge Nature Center; Okoboji, 6 p-m, Maser Monarch Lodge; Onawa,6 p-m, Lewis and Clark State Park visitor center, Ventura, 7 p-m, Iowa DNR Wildlife Office; February 23rd, Chariton, 6:30 p-m, Chariton Community Center; Council Bluffs, 6:30 p-m, Council Bluffs Fish and Game Club, Decorah, 7 p-m, Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College; Dubuque, 7 p-m, EB Lyons Nature Center at Mines of Spain; Iowa City, 7 p-m, Johnson County ISU Extension Office; Wapello, 6 p-m, Langwood Education Center.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says she’ll have a conversation with House Republicans who’ve proposed regulatory changes for the proposed pipelines for capturing carbon from ethanol plants.  “I’m sure there’s areas where we could tweak and make it better,” Reynolds says, “but we just need to make sure that we’re having an open and honest conversation about what the consequences could be moving forward.”

Twenty-two House Republicans, including the House speaker, have introduced a bill with nine different proposals that would impact when, where or even if the pipelines are built. The bill’s lead sponsor says he’s standing up for landowners along the proposed pipeline routes. Reynolds says a current state law spells out how pipeline companies could be granted eminent domain authority to seize property from landowners who don’t sign voluntary easements for the pipeline. “When eminent domain has to be used, it should be used as a last resort. We should make sure that they’re fairly compensated,” Reynolds says.

And Reynolds says, as governor, she needs to make sure the state supports adding value to Iowa agricultural products, like corn that’s turned into ethanol. “When 55% of our farmers’ corn goes to ethanol and renewable fuels, I need to make sure that’s part of the conversation that we’re having,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds, who spoke briefly with reporters at the statehouse late Thursday, indicated her comments shouldn’t be interpreted as favoring or opposing the House G-O-P bill on pipelines. “I have to be very careful because if I weigh in on anything that’s not a bill of mine, then that kind of gives you all a pass to ask my opinion on everything that gets filed in this building and we’re coming up on our first funnel (deadline) and we’ll see a lot of those well intentioned ideas that won’t make it through the funnel, so I have to not engage too much in the process because that’s what it’s for — unless it’s a bill that I’ve filed and then I definitely will engage,” Reynolds says, “so we’ll watch and see what happens and we’ll have a good conversation about that.”

Friday, March 3rd is the date of the so-called funnel deadline Reynolds mentioned. Bills that deal with taxes or spending are eligible for consideration at any time. But policy bills — like the pipeline bill — have to be approved by a House or Senate committee or they’re no longer eligible for debate.