February 26, 2024 (DES MOINES) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and a delegation of farmers and other agricultural industry leaders just returned from a trade mission to Mexico that was held February 18-24. The mission, coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), was focused on increasing exports of manufactured products and agricultural goods.

“Because of the incredible productivity of Iowa farmers and favorable free trade agreements, we have an opportunity to supply customers here and around the world. Mexico is Iowa’s largest export destination for corn, pork, and dried distillers grains as well as a significant market for soybeans, soybean meal, beef and ethanol,” said Secretary Naig. “By leading strategic trade missions to both established and emerging markets, we’re able to thank our customers for their past business, strengthen existing relationships and discover new business opportunities. All of this will create even more market demand for Iowa’s high quality, safe, consistent and reliable agriculture products.”

Iowa companies exported $4.2 billion in goods to Mexico in 2023, a new record for Iowa exports to Mexico. Mexico is Iowa’s largest export destination for corn, pork, distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production, and second for soybeans. Iowa exported $973 million in corn, $706 million in pork and $392 million in soybeans to Mexico in 2023. Mexico was the second largest export market for U.S. exporters in 2023, with overall total exports valued at $323 billion.   Specific to top agricultural products, Mexico purchased $28.5 billion – a record. (Source: WiserTrade)

Mission participants included members of the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and IEDA staff. Delegates participated in meetings specific to their market entry or expansion needs.

The IEDA’s International Trade Office connects Iowa companies with markets for their products and services, educates Iowa businesses on exporting, and assists global companies wishing to establish or expand operations in Iowa. To learn more about these services or other trade missions the IEDA is planning, visit iowaeda.com/missions.

by Lily Johnson, Atlantic FFA Reporter

On Wednesday, February 7th, 2024, 18 members of the Atlantic FFA chapter competed in the Sub District Career Development Events at Tri-Center High School.

Extemporaneous Speaking Lola Comes

Earning a Gold rating, placing 1st and advancing to Districts, was Claire Pellett competing in Public Speaking and Lola Comes earning a gold and

Public Speaking Claire Pellett

placing 2nd in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Also advancing to Districts, the Conduct of Meetings Team placed 3rd and earned a Silver. Team members include Addie Freund, Addalyn Sonntag, Rylee Harlan, Jacquie Freund, Lily Johnson, Collin Harris and Maddy Anderson. Charli Goff placed first earning a Silver in Arc/Wire welding. Keegan Kemp also placed first with a Silver in Oxy Acetylene Welding. Lauren Comes competed in Ag Sales earning a Gold and was selected as the Alternate for Districts.

Conduct of meetings (Left to right) Addalynn Sonntag, Lily Johnson, Rylee Harlan, Collin Harris, Addie Freund, Maddy Anderson, and Jacquie Freund.

Arc/Wire welding Charli Goff

Competing but not going to district includes Bailey Grieshaber in Ag broadcasting earning a silver. Callee Pellett in Job interview receiving a silver. Chapter program consisting of Hayden Kleen, Frank Freund, and Keston Schmidt earning a bronze.

Oxy Acetylene welding Keegan Kemp

Competing in the Farm Business Management Test was Mia Kloewer placing 10th.

In the FFA Chapter Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 8 members participate.  Earning a gold were Lily Johnson placing 1st, and Addie Freund 5th. Receiving silvers were Keston Schmidt, Natalie Smith, Hunter Quist, Frank Freund, and Claire Schroeder. Earning a bronze was Hayden Kleen.

In the FFA Freshman Greenhand Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 10 members participate. Earning a Gold was Jayden Fiebelkorn. Receiving silvers were Jacquelyn Freund, Rylee Harlan, Addalyn Sonntag, Collin Harris, Maggie Cohrs, Lily Willrich, and Kayedance Sturm. Receiving Bronze include Walker Gary.

Claire, Lola, Keegan, Charli and the Conduct of Meeting team will compete at District FFA Convention Saturday March 2nd in Clarinda.  Lauren will also run for SW District Secretary.

National FFA Week runs from Saturday to Saturday. This year, the week kicked off on Feb. 18 and ended on Saturday, Feb. 24  National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about the National FFA Organization’s role in developing future leaders in agriculture and the importance of agricultural education.

FFA provides the next generation of leaders who will change the world. As the nation’s top school-based youth leadership development organization, FFA helps young people meet new agricultural challenges by encouraging members to develop their unique talents and explore their interests in various career pathways. FFA members are our future leaders, food suppliers, innovators and more!  Atlantic FFA members participated in a variety of different events and dress up days as the week continued.

On Monday, Atlantic FFA members began Carhartt/Western Day where students recognized harding individuals that make our community strong.  Monday was also FFA Bingo during a seminar where winning teams were given healthy, nutritious snacks that represented a variety of agricultural crops.  Hudson Goff said, “Bingo was a great way to kick off FFA Week and spread the message of FFA.”

Tuesday FFA members celebrated Dress Like your Favorite Teacher day to give a shout out to our favorite teachers who work hard every day.  FFA members also looked around the building for miniature pigs and turned them in to Mr. Miller for a fruit snack prize. “It was super fun to go around and look for the mini pigs with my friends, and I’m happy there was a prize.” Said Maggie Cohrs.

Wednesday is a favorite for Atlantic FFA members, Tractor Day.  This year 16 FFA members drove a variety of tractors. “We had modern tractors all the way to antique tractors this year,” said Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller.  “Thank you to all of the families that participated this year.” Also, FFA members had Anything but a Backpack Day where students showed off their imagination and brought unique items to carry around their school supplies that are used every day.  Charli Goff said, “It’s a great way to showcase Iowa agriculture and a fun experience for our FFA members.”

Thursday was American/Pattorict Day at AHS. Students and Staff dressed in Red White and Blue to celebrate America.  Thursday morning, the Atlantic FFA Chapter Officer Team cooked breakfast for the staff at AHS.  The morning began by FFA members cooking Butterbraids in the FCS kitchen.  Chapter President Colton Rudy then used a Blackstone griddle that was purchased with a giftcard from Tractor Supply in Atlantic to cook sausage links, bacon, eggs and finally pancakes.  FFA Officers Charli Goff, Lola Comes, Lily Johnson and Claire Pellett kept Colton supplied with food for the griddle and set everything up in the Ag room.  The meal was a success and Atlantic History Teacher Terry Hinzman said, “The FFA is very visible in the school district thanks to Mr Miller and the do a lot behind the scenes stuff at the school.”

Atlantic FFA members wrapped up the week wearing their FFA Tee Shirt day to celebrate the Atlantic FFA.  Each FFA member also took an individual photo with the FFA emblem.  These photos will be used on the Chapter Website and Chapter Scrapbook.  FFA members also played Ag Olympics that were run by Colton Rudy and Charli Goff.  Colton Rudy said ”It’s a great to get kids moving in class and showing some of the skills that agriculturist need on a daily basis.”

— article provided

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was notified of an untreated water discharge into the Boyer River in Crawford County.

At 12:30 p.m on Feb. 26, the DNR Atlantic Field Office received a call from the City of Denison Water Plant regarding a discharge of untreated groundwater. At approximately 10:00 a.m. crews from the water plant were conducting a routine maintenance inspection to the raw main located at Hwy 39 and C. Avenue in Denison when the line overflowed.

Approximately 60,000 gallons of raw untreated water were discharged and flowed approximately 235 yards on the surface and into the Boyer River. DNR staff say the Boyer River has a slight red tint likely due to the iron content of the raw groundwater.

There are no risks to the public. No dead fish have been observed.