WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – June 28, 2011 – Schuler Manufacturing, a family-owned business specializing in feed mixer wagons in Griswold, is the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month award winner. The business was nominated by the Cass County Farm Bureau.

The equipment business was born in 1962 when Dorland Schuler designed and built a custom feed wagon for his own cattle feeding operation. After several area farmers requested similar wagons, Schuler founded the manufacturing business. Today, the company is run by Schuler and his wife and manufactures cattle feed mixers, feed wagons, and other feed mixer equipment for the beef cattle feedlot and dairy industries.

Feed mixer models are available in tractor PTO-driven and towed, truck-mounted and stationary versions. The product line also includes bunk-style feeder wagons and hay feeder wagons. This fall, the company will launch a big hay bale processor line.

The company, which employs up to 40 seasonal workers, now sells to beef cattle and dairy farmers in Iowa and even has international customers in Australia, Russia and Japan.  Even though the wagon line has evolved, the design remains the same. Schuler still has that first wagon and is proud to say that the company’s current grinder wagons carry the same basic design. He is also proud of the business’ family ties. His two sons, a nephew and two grandsons are all involved in the company.

Russ Joyce, executive director of the Cass Atlantic Development Corporation, says the company and its success is a testament to rural Iowans and farmer ingenuity. “Rural Iowa is generally rich in entrepreneurs that have come out of the agricultural industry,” says Joyce.

Renew Rural Iowa (RRI) is an IFBF initiative that supports new and existing businesses through business education, mentoring and financial resources.  In cooperation with five community colleges, RRI is coordinating a series of free, one-day, innovation seminars this summer to introduce Iowa’s key economic development partners and tools.  To register and learn more, go to www.renewruraliowa.com.

An Atlantic woman was arrested Monday on a fraud charge. Atlantic Police say 21-year old Theresa Sutton faces a charge of Unauthorized use of a Credit card/fraud. Sutton has been booked into the Cass County Jail.

And, an Atlantic man was arrested Monday, for Violation of his probation. 21-year old Devin Register has also been booked into the Cass County Jail.

Today (Tuesday), officers with the Atlantic Police Department arrested 23-year old Joseph Fredericksen, and 20-year old Andrew Rice, both of Atlantic, on charges of 5^th degree theft. Both men were being held in the Cass County Jail.

It’s less than a month now until Atlantic welcomes RAGBRAI on Sunday, July 24.  Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ann McCurdy says there is still a need for housing, especially for groups of individuals who will be making their way to our community. Here’s a sample of some of the groups who will be coming to town that weekend…

A 13 member Christian Bible study group from West Point, New York, traveling as married couples with one adult child. A flat area for the pop up camper would be ideal for these folks. They also prefer shower/toilet access.

A group of 13 traveling in a 15 passenger van with trailer seeks a bed for one couple, inside camping or yard camping, with shower and toilet access. The group has participated in RAGBRAI for 22 years. One member is the former Chief of Police in Des Moines. Members come from Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin.

A family group of 3 first time RAGBAI-ers who prefer yard camping. They are from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and range in age from 21 to 50.

A group of 11 from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, which includes 1 physician assistant, 3 nurses, 1 physical therapist, a French teacher, a financier , a retired computer engineer and a New Yorker. They look forward to getting to know the locals and cherishing the experience of what RAGBRAI is all about.  They will camp but would like shower and toilet access.

McCurdy says more than 1,500 people will be looking for yard space in Atlantic, so that may set up camp, have housing, and a place to wash-up.  If you are interested in housing one of these groups, please call the Chamber at 243.3017.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowa hay and straw producers to register or update their listing on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory.  The directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw. 

“This directory is designed to help both buyers and sellers by listing Iowa growers that have hay and straw and straw available,” Northey said.  “This directory has proven to be a valuable asset to Iowa farmers and encourage those that can use it to take full advantage of this resource.” 

The listing is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list. 

Names are gathered throughout the year with added emphasis now that hay harvest has started. Sections within the Hay and Straw Directory include “Forage for Sale,” “Forage Auctions,” “Hay Associations,” “Forage Dealers,” “Hay Grinders” and “Custom Balers.” 

Farmers interested in listing should visit the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.  An application form can be found by going to the “Bureaus” link and then selecting “Agricultural Marketing.”  Then click on “Hay & Straw Directory” link at the bottom of the page.

A Red Oak man wanted on a Page County warrant was taken into custody Sunday afternoon, in Montgomery County. 20-year old Michael Eugene Sickels was wanted on a warrant for 2^nd degree theft.

Sickels was arrested at around 4-p.m. Sunday by Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies. He was subsequently turned over to the Page County Sheriff’s Department, and is being held in the Page County Jail, on $5,000 bond.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet during a regular session that begins 9-a.m., Wednesday, in Greenfield. The board will discuss and possibly act on issues including: taxable mileage; Fiscal Year 2011 Conservation wage increases; assigned FY 2012 Fund Balances, and, a Burial Relief Ordinance.

The Supervisors will also hold a public hearing at 9:30, over an ordinance pertaining to the Local Option Sales and Service Tax, along with consideration of the 2^nd & 3^rd readings of the ordinance. The board is then expected to pass a resolution establishing the Ordinance (26-A), and sign the ordinance into law.

w/News Director Ric Hanson

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w/ News Director Ric Hanson

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The Atlantic Board of Education will meet the new Atlantic Middle School Principal tonight, during a scheduled work session at the high school. Cameron Smith was hired by the board April 12^th. Smith comes to Atlantic from the Garner-Hayfield School District, where he served as the K-through 8^th Grade Principal and Athletic Director.

Cam will succeed AMS Principal Todd Roecker, who had earlier announced he would be retiring from the district at the end of this month (June).

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will move into a closed session for an annual evaluation of the Superintendent. Their work session begins at 7:30-p.m. in the Atlantic High School Media Center.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce say Chamber members will be visited this week by members of the Chamber’s staff and board of directors, to encourage members to “Get the Scoop” about the Chamber at a new program called 12@12.

Megan Roberts, Membership and Special Projects Coordinator for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says they invite all members of the Atlantic Chamber to come to the office at the historic Rock Island Depot, have a free lunch, and talk with Chamber staffers about what the Chamber does for its members, and what they’re working on.

The 12@12 sessions include a free lunch to 12 members at 12 noon, and multiple dates and times will be offered during the late summer and early fall. Several early morning breakfast options will be given to members as well.

The 12@12 lunches also provide time for the Chamber staff to listen to their members. Roberts says — quote — “We want to hear what their challenges are and what they need from us. We can prepare educational sessions, do research, and help our members find solutions, but often the first challenge we face is just finding the time to communicate with each other, and that’s what 12@12 is about.”

Local businesses will be given an invitation to sign up for the sessions along with an ice cream scoop, a small gift of appreciation from the organization. The staff and board members will start delivering scoops today and continue over the next two days.