(Radio Iowa) – The world’s third-richest man is now reportedly the biggest farmland owner in America and he’s also among the largest in Iowa. Billionaire Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, now holds claim on some 269-thousand acres of land across the country, including 242-thousand acres of farmland in 19 states. A story in The Land Report magazine says Gates owns more than 500 acres of farmland in Iowa, though most of his tracts are in Arkansas and Louisiana.

The most expensive purchase was reportedly of 14-thousand-500 acres in Washington state for almost 171-million dollars. Not a biggie for Gates though, as his net worth is pegged at 132-billion.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa is among the top states when it comes to the number of organic farms in operation, but producers have long struggled to obtain crop insurance that can better protect them from losses. A new initiative aims to help close these gaps. Last summer’s derecho storm left many Iowa farm fields flattened. Kate Hansen, policy assistant at the Center for Rural Affairs, said these situations can be especially devastating for small to mid-size producers who don’t have the right crop insurance that can soften the blow. She noted about a decade ago, when more organic farms came into existence, there weren’t many coverage plans that matched up with their products. But that’s changed.  “Now, there are over 80 certified organic crops that can be insured at higher organic prices,” Hansen explained. “And so, they’re just kind of more effectively insuring what they have out there in the field.”

Ripe carrots growing in soil, closeup with space for text. Organic farming

Despite the expansion of coverage, Hansen acknowledged there’s still a disconnect in getting these farmers and ranchers to navigate newer plans. That leaves many organic crops under-protected. Her group is out with a new resource guide that covers everything from contract prices to the claims process. The guide also features feedback from crop-insurance agents across the Midwest. Joshua Manske, an Iowa-based agent, said with the effects of climate change resulting in more extreme weather events, making connections with these producers can mitigate a lot of trouble. “You know, I can’t imagine somebody who’s dreamed of farming their whole life, and worked hard every single day of their life to be able to do what they love… and some sort of event comes along and wipes out your crop,” Manske remarked.

Hansen added helping these producers with the process not only reduces the effects they can feel from such an event, but can also benefit their communities.  “Small family operations are sort of the backbone of rural communities,” Hansen maintained. “And crop insurance is a way to help them continue farming next year if they have a really bad year.” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Iowa had nearly 800 organic farms in 2019. That ranks the Hawkeye State sixth in the nation.

Meanwhile, the deadline to purchase insurance for most spring crops is March 15.

(Mike Moen/Iowa News Service)

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet Monday evening, via Zoom, beginning at 5:15.  On the agenda, is action on, updates and-or new business, with regard to:

• The Dog Park (an update)
• Native Landscaping
•  Schildberg Rec Area signage
• Campground Registration
• Shelter Reservations
• Playground Inspections
• and Eagle Scout Bluebird Houses Project.

In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen will talk about:

• Walkability Maps
• Winter Recreation
• Recreation Equipment
• and continued parks maintenance matters.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The federal government faces a second lawsuit over flooding along the Missouri River after it was ordered last month to pay some landowners for damages. R. Dan Boulware, of the Polsinelli law firm, filed the new class-action lawsuit on behalf of 60 plaintiffs who experienced damages during flooding in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2014. The St. Joseph News-Press reports that Boulware successfully argued in the earlier case that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers knowingly flooded some farmland when it made changes to protect endangered species.

Boulware currently is waiting for the class-action lawsuit to be certified. If that occurs there could be additional plaintiffs added to the case. He estimates that the current claim of damages exceeds $50 million.

The Cass County Conservation Board (CCCB) is holding Cabin Fever Escape program. The program/open house will be held at the Outdoor Educational Classroom outside of Massena, on Saturday, January 23rd. The event takes place from 1-until 4-p.m., and is FREE for all ages. The Board invites you to cure cabin fever by spending some time outside with family friendly FUN! Bring your mugs, sleds, dress for the weather, and snowshoes will be available!

If you get cold, warm and tasty drinks and a movie will be playing inside our lodge! There will be no-snow activities planned, as well! To get to the Outdoor Classroom, take Highway 148 south of Massena, turn Left on Tucson Road, and follow it East for about two miles.Then make a right hand turn into the parking lot.

The Cabin Fever Escape Program qualifies for the CCCB’s 120hrs Outdoor Challenge, so don’t forget to use #120hrsCassCoIA as a hashtag for your adventures.

ATLANTIC, IA (January 15, 2021) – Produce in the Park is holding another winter farmers market. Share a little more love this year with Sweetheart Market! Sweetheart Market will be held the day before Valentine’s Day. The market will offer pre-order drive-through pick-up only (there will be no in-person shopping). Pre-orders will be accepted from Thursday, February 4 –
Thursday, February 11. Purchases can be picked up on Saturday, February 13 at the Cass County Community Center between 12:00 – 3:00 PM.

Sweetheart Market is being held the day before Valentine’s Day, so customers can get treats and gifts for all their loved ones and Valentines—whether friends or sweethearts. The market
offers delicious baked goods and sweet treats, cookie bouquets, cookies to decorate, date night dinners, Valentine’s day soaps and candles, local foods including meat and produce, and more.

Vendors interested in participating in Sweetheart Market should contact the market manager at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com by Wednesday, January 20. Event details, including vendors, and information on pre-orders will be posted on Produce in the Park’s website www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com and on the Produce in the Park Facebook page www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark.

(Radio Iowa) – Much of western Iowa was in drought last year and even with a couple of heavy snowstorms already this winter, the drought is expected to continue at least into spring. Dennis Todey, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says it’s unlikely things will change soon. Todey says, “While a big snowstorm can provide melt-off and provide surface water, which is a positive, our soils are mainly frozen now so we need to get thawing soils before we can get any kind of precipitation into those soils.”

Todey says scientists are most concerned about the western third to western half of Iowa because the soils are the driest there.  “I would expect it to improve some in the spring,” Todey says. “Will it go away? I have a hard time thinking it’ll go completely away.” The U.S. Drought Monitor report released this week shows western Iowa in a moderate to extreme drought. Since 2018 and 2019 were very wet years for Iowa, the Iowa D-N-R’s Tim Hall says that probably helped get western Iowa through last year’s “harsh, dry conditions.” “I think we didn’t see as significant an impact because of the wetness coming out of the two years leading into this one,” Hall says.

Their comments were part of a drought webinar held by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

(By Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – Two northeast Iowa men have pleaded guilty to the illegal taking of wild ginseng on state-managed land in September of last year.  A D-N-R Conservation Officer charged 58-year-old Gregg Latham of Oelwein and 49-year Dustin Millard of Strawberry Point with 112 counts of unlawfully harvesting ginseng on state timberland and other charges. Officers found ginseng roots on the state land and also found more evidence in a search of their homes.

Each pleaded guilty to 24 ginseng violations — along with theft, trespass, and littering. They face some 57-hundred dollars ($5,743.75) in criminal penalties and have to reimburse the state 257-dollars, 81 cents each for their portion of the stolen wild ginseng.

w/Kate Olson.

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DES MOINES, Iowa — Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say a Conservation Officer from northwest Iowa is the first law enforcement officer to die from COVID-19 in the state. KCCI reports Steve Reighard died Friday at about 10 a.m. Reighard began having symptoms of coronavirus before Christmas and was in the hospital for several weeks.

He started his career as a park ranger in 2005 before being promoted in 2012 to a conservation officer. Reighard was described as being well known in the area, and an outstanding officer.

Conservation officers are sworn peace officers just like state troopers and police officers.