Cass County: Corn $6.66 Beans $14.91
Adair County: Corn $6.63 Beans $14.94
Adams County: Corn $6.63 Beans $14.90
Audubon County: Corn $6.65 Beans $14.93
East Pottawattamie County: Corn $6.69 Beans $14.91
Guthrie County: Corn $6.68 Beans $14.95
Montgomery County: Corn $6.68 Beans $14.93
Shelby County: Corn $6.69 Beans $14.91

Oats $3.54 (Same in all counties)

(Radio Iowa) – While it’s unseasonably warm across much of Iowa Monday  afternoon, forecasters say high temperatures will be back down in the 20s by Thursday with the chance for more snow, which is excellent news for the state’s thousands of snowmobiling enthusiasts.

Jim Willey of Manchester is spokesman for the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. “We have had some challenging years the last few years,” Willey says. “It’s one of the largest outdoor activities worldwide, but in Iowa, we’re very dependent on getting the right weather. It drives about $30 billion of economic activity in North America, and a big segment of that happens in Iowa when we have snow, and it’s disappointing when we don’t.”

There are about 60 snowmobiling clubs across Iowa which groom more than 8,800 miles of trails statewide. “The trail program is the largest recreational trail system in Iowa,” Willey says. “It’s all completely funded by the registration and trail passes that Iowa snowmobilers buy for their machines. It’s totally a self-funded program. There’s no tax dollars that go into it whatsoever and it’s all paid for by the people that use it.”

(ISSA photo)

There have been multiple advances in technology in recent years, improving the helmets and communications, the snowsuits, boots and gloves, and the snowmobiles themselves. “The type of equipment that’s available today makes it very comfortable to be out in even sub-zero weather riding your snowmobile,” Willey says. “The equipment that snowmobiles have today make them safer and more stable and more enjoyable for everybody to ride.”

Learn more at: www.iowasnowmobiler.com.

(Iowa DNR News) – A midwinter visit to check on the boat − no matter if stored ashore in a backyard or a marina parking lot − is a wise thing to do. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has four tips to ensure there are no surprises at spring commissioning.

Water is bad. The number-one concern for any boat in long-term winter storage is water. It can’t be allowed in, but if it does, the water needs a way out. Check the boat’s winter cover to ensure it still allows rain and heavy snow loads to easily shed away from the boat. Small boats should have the drain plug removed. A tight-fitting winter cover will also help keep out the critters, including raccoons, feral cats and muskrats, whose damage boat insurance policies generally do not cover.

Take it home. If you forgot to bring home life jackets when you put the boat away in the fall, it’s best to do it now. That includes throwable devices you keep near the helm. Lifejackets will last longer and stay cleaner. Store in a dry location at home. Signal flares can be kept aboard if they are in location not affected by moisture. Some handheld air horns can leave a not-easy-to-remove rust ring when stored in their upright position. Both signal devices can be put into zip top freezer bags. Other common items left on the boat during winter storage are liquid cleaners that can burst open during the freeze/thaw cycle and food, which draw vermin.

Air it out. Try to ventilate the boat, which will help keep mold and mildew at bay. If the boat is closed tightly and doesn’t have ventilation, use desiccants – often sold in bucket type containers – in cuddy cabins or living space below. Follow the manufacturer instructions and you should be able keep a fairly dry boat making spring cleanup easier and preserving the boat’s value.

Be safe. There may be ice and snow this time of year. If you need to use a ladder, ensure its firmly planted, always tie it off at the top, and have a friend hold it while ascending/descending. Never move or adjust a jack stand – call the yard for assistance. Tying off a winter cover to jack stands is also a bad idea as the stands could be yanked out from under the boat during high winds.

Jim Field speaks with Aude Watrelot, Assistant Professor of Enology in the Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition at Iowa State University, about the Iowa Wine Survey. https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJArChzeYKnSBzo

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Cass County: Corn $6.62 Beans $14.75
Adair County: Corn $6.59 Beans $14.78
Adams County: Corn $6.59 Beans $14.74
Audubon County: Corn $6.61 Beans $14.77
East Pottawattamie County: Corn $6.65 Beans $14.75
Guthrie County: Corn $6.64 Beans $14.79
Montgomery County: Corn $6.64 Beans $14.77
Shelby County: Corn $6.65 Beans $14.75

Oats $3.61 (Same in all counties)

Ingredients

8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 navel orange
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
Chopped green onions (Optional)

Directions

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned.
2. Wile chicken cooks, grate rind and squeeze juice from orange to measure 1 teaspoon rind and 1/4 cup juice. Add orange rind, juice, honey, and ginger to chicken, scraping bottom of pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 7 minutes or until chicken is done and orange mixture is syrupy. Sprinkle with chopped green onions, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 chicken thighs and about 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce).

Jim Field speaks with Aliss LaCanne, Elk Horn Public Library Director, about the Hygge event tonight in Elk Horn.

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Atlantic, Iowa – Annie’s Project, a six-week course designed especially to help farm women develop their management and decision-making skills, is being offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Cass County. Online registration is available at www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag or at the Cass Extension office. Classes will be held at Cass County Community Center at 805 W. 10th St. in Atlantic on Thursdays beginning Feb. 23.

Classes will continue March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, and March 30. Classes will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00p.m., with a light meal served at 5:30 p.m.  The cost is $75.00. Pre-registration will close a week in advance of the class, or if the class fills up, so organizers encourage those interested to register early!

Farm women participating in Annie’s Project courses become better business partners and owners by learning to manage and organize critical information for their own farms, while establishing networks with other farm women and agriculture business professionals.

According to ISU Extension and Outreach farm specialist, Tim Christensen, Annie’s Project covers five areas of agricultural risk management: financial, human resources, legal, marketing and production. “Our goal is to provide a program that is of great interest and value. Each session includes presentations, discussions and hands-on activities,” Christensen said. “In addition, guest speakers share their personal experiences and knowledge to help women become better business partners and owners,” added Christensen.

According to a 2012 survey conducted by Iowa State Extension and Outreach, 47 percent of Iowa’s farmland is owned by women. Annie’s Project supports these women by providing an agricultural business education program that empowers farm women who want to be more knowledgeable about their agricultural enterprises.

“Offering a quality program such as Annie’s Project benefits our community and we are excited to be able to offer this class, as we’ve had a great response from previous sessions,” said Kate Olson, Cass County Extension Director.

“We’re excited to host this class in Cass County again and look forward to sharing valuable educational tools and important resources with women in southwest Iowa, as well as helping then create a local network of support in their local area,” Olson added.

“Annie’s Project empowers women by offering a valuable set of business-based workshops. The program helps participants learn ways to make better financial and risk management decisions,” according to Madeline Schultz, ISU Extension and Outreach Women in Agriculture Program Manager.

More than 33 states have implemented Annie’s Project sites since its inception in 2002. According to post-program surveys, participants have reported that the program encouraged learning and that the nurturing environment has facilitated ongoing conversation with local speakers. In addition, respondents were able to network with other professionals and stated that they felt comfortable interacting with others for additional information and assistance. Overall, participants remarked that the courses were beneficial in understanding the factors in farming that pertain to women, their families, and the land.

For more information, contact Kate Olson at 712-243-1132, or e-mail keolson@iastate.edu. Register online at www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag or find additional program details at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

Jim Field speaks with Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh about upcoming mobile food pantries in the area.

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(Des Moines, Iowa) –  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes, and address other topics as requested. “We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau. “Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment.

Meeting date, time and location (Locally):

• Creston, Feb. 21, 6 p.m., Multi-Purpose Room, Southern Prairie YMCA, 1201 West Townline Street
• Onawa, Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Lewis and Clark State Park visitor center, 21914 Park Loop
• Council Bluffs, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., Council Bluffs Fish and Game Club, 531 Comanche St.

Any person attending the public meeting that has special requirements, such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, should contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.