Earlier this month, it was announced that the Cass County Fair Board had decided to cancel all non- 4H and FFA activities for the 2020 Cass County Fair. At that time, officials said all youth activities would be held in a “Show and Go,” or other, modified format. Now, officials have indicated livestock shows will be live streamed whenever possible, and will also be archived online for later viewing. All judging results will be shared as soon as available via website, social media and with local print and radio media.

To maintain the health and safety of our exhibitors, staff and volunteers, the Cass County Fairboard respectfully asks that only members of the exhibitors’ immediate family (those living in the same household) be present in person for any live shows. Only shows/judging held outdoors will allow any spectators. All spectators are asked to maintain at least 6 foot distance from other households, follow hand-washing and sanitizing procedures in common areas, and bring their own seating, as bleacher space will be extremely limited or unavailable. All exhibitors and spectators must be off the grounds by one hour after the last show of the night to allow for cleaning of show areas.

The FFA Food stand will be open limited hours, with a limited menu, during livestock show days. Additional details coming soon. As no other food will be available on grounds, exhibitors may bring their own food, but large coolers and multi-family picnics and potlucks are strongly discouraged. The Cass County Fair continues to be an alcohol-free fair.

View the latest schedule of events, here.

The Adair County ISU Extension office, in partnership with the Adair County Fair Board, are experiencing unprecedented times as we move forward quickly and cautiously with plans for the 2020 Adair County Fair. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a large impact and influence on what the 4-H/FFA fair experience will look like this year. In fact, COVID-19 is causing the cancellation of many fairs, events, and festivals both in Iowa and around the nation.

Adair County Extension staff continue to gather information daily from public health authorities, CDC guidelines, emergency management, and ISU Extension and Outreach guidelines and restrictions, so we may do our due diligence to keep our youth, staff, fair volunteers, and visitors as safe as possible during this extremely challenging time. This will not be a normal fair experience. However, we are working hard to create an environment that highlights the hard work of our youth, while providing a modified platform to create a safer experience.

In the interest of public health, Adair County Extension is creating plans to implement procedures to follow regarding mandated CDC guidelines with social distancing, added signage, additional hand sanitizers and increased sanitation procedures throughout all of our events. As a reminder, if you feel you are sick, vulnerable, showing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, we ask that you please stay home. We understand families and friends will need to come to their own decision on whether to participate and/or attend this year’s fair. We ask that you adhere to CDC guidelines and keep a social distance of six feet or more from others.

This year’s 4-H/FFA mission for fair is to provide an opportunity to showcase all that 4-H and FFA youth have learned, skills they have gained, and life lessons they have experienced which will help them in their future endeavors. We are concentrating on how their projects and livestock exhibits have taught them valuable lessons and how it will help to empower them as they move forward in life. This year is not necessarily about the competitions and rewards. It is more about resiliency, persistence and the gaining of knowledge.

Please check the Facebook page ‘Adair County ISU Extension’ or website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/adair/ for the latest information.

(Radio Iowa) – Due to COVID-19, the Iowa State Fair will not go on this summer, but something called the 2020 Fair Special Edition is now on the schedule. The state fair’s website says the special edition will be held at the fairgrounds in Des Moines over three weekends in August. It’ll be an opportunity for only FFA and 4-H members to showcase their animals.

The site says the edition will focus on the superior showmanship, hard work, and determination of Iowa’s youth. Each club will have the traditional categories, including cattle, horses, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine. The fair says it will follow all recommendations for social distancing, hand washing and sanitization.

https://www.iowastatefair.org/participate/competition/how-to-enter/

Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning reports the Cass County Conservation Board is holding a “Movie in the Park” Campground Program next month! Kanning says they will be showing “Arctic Dogs” at the Campground Shelter at Cold Springs Park, in Lewis, on Friday July 3rd 2020, starting at 9:30 pm. There is no charge for the show. Social distancing is encouraged, with marked spaces for each family, during the movie.

Kanning invites you to “Come out for a great movie under the stars! Bring a blanket or chair, snacks, Dress for the weather.” She says also, “We may reschedule at a later date if it rains.” You DO NOT have to be a registered camper to attend the program.

(Radio Iowa) — The president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association says legal experts are confident the latest agricultural protection legislation to come from the Iowa statehouse will survive any potential new court challenges. Mike Paustian says the change is much needed as it will penalize people who trespass on farm property and harm livestock or crops.  “This comes down to a food safety issue,” Paustian says. “Besides trying to make sure that people aren’t trying to cause harm on producers’ farms. That’s the last thing producers should have to worry about.”

The measure that toughens penalties for those who trespass at a “food operation,” including livestock confinements and meat packing plants. It was designed to protect farmers and ranchers from undercover videos and activists’ attacks. “As I read the law,” Paustian says, “it’s really just slightly increasing the seriousness of the charges if someone were to be trespassing on a farm or a food production facility.” The bill enhances the penalty for trespassing on farms and “food operations” to an aggravated misdemeanor. A second offense would be a Class D felony. Paustian thinks the legislation will hold up and really isn’t what some call an “ag gag” law.

“The lawyers that have looked at it think this is a different approach that wouldn’t be subject to the same legal challenge that some of the other legislation has been experiencing,” Paustian says. “A lot of times, this gets painted as ‘ag gag’ and how producers are trying to hide something, and of course, that’s not true.” Paustian says if visitors call ahead and then follow proper bio security, they’re usually welcome on livestock production facilities.  “Certain rules have to be followed just to keep everyone safe and to protect the health of the animals,” Paustian says. “It’s just unfortunate that we have these situations where folks, in some cases, are caught trespassing on a farm and as soon as they’re released from custody, they go right back and trespass again.”

Paustian says most pork producers have gone through pork quality assurance training and practice the “We Care” principles as outlined by the National Pork Producers Council, stating that they care humanely for their animals.

DES MOINES — The Iowa DNR reports the agency is working with stakeholders and agencies from across the Missouri River basin to identify problem areas and potential solutions for flood impacts along the lower Missouri River.  The study will use existing data and hydraulic models, along with stakeholder input, to define existing conditions and develop conceptual-level solutions for identified problem areas, and to develop a flood risk management plan.

In 2019, runoff from the Missouri river basin was at near-historic levels all year. This unprecedented amount of runoff resulted in the lower Missouri River staying above flood stage at multiple locations for nearly nine months, causing billions of dollars of damage to homes, businesses, agricultural production, levees and natural resources across five states, including Iowa. The historic nature of the 2019 flood, in addition to severe flooding over the past decade, served as a catalyst for the governors of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri to come together to discuss solutions for improving the resiliency of the lower Missouri River basin.

Once problem areas have been identified by state partners and stakeholders, a set of criteria will be developed to rank and prioritize them. That prioritized list, along with any other relevant background information and ideas for potential solutions, will be provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for further analysis. The information gathered and analysis completed will be documented in a flood risk management plan for the entire lower Missouri River, which can be used at the state and local level to help inform flood risk management decisions moving forward.

To kick off the first phase of the study, the Iowa DNR is releasing a short introductory video to introduce the study in further detail and outline the schedule for seeking stakeholder input on additional problem areas. A series of virtual meetings is anticipated for late July. The project is a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Kansas Water Office, and the Kansas City and Omaha districts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

For more information, contact Tim Hall, Iowa DNR’s Hydrology Resources Coordinator, at tim.hall@dnr.iowa.gov.

The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Atlantic Parks & Recreation on Thursday, June 25th. The Ambassador’s viewed a new bath house that was constructed last year and officially opened this spring. The bath house also has a concession stand area that can be rented out for parties, family reunions, etc. A playground was also built last fall that is now available for use. Both projects were built with funds from a grant. Bryant Rasmussen, Parks & Rec Director, stated new entry signage has been placed at the parks using signage found from 30 years ago that was refurbished.

Ambassador’s Pictured Left to Right: Sue Muri, Steve Anderson, Debbie Leistad, Jim Kickland, Michelle Heath, Rich Perry, Dolly Bergmann, Kerry Jepsen, Bill Saluk, Colt Doherty, Bryant Rasmussen, Dawn Marnin, Jennifer McEntaffer, Jessi Klever, Kennedy Plowman and Lana Whestphalen. (photo submitted)

The edible, public gardens are beginning to produce product. Bryant mentioned they have implemented a new biking program for community members and visitors to utilize. They currently have nine bikes that can be rented to use around town. Their plans for the rest of the year are to catch up on maintenance and implement more native grasses and wildlife areas at their parks.

For more information regarding parks or to make reservations at park shelters or the campground, contact 712-243-3542 or visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

w/Brandon Schuering.

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(Radio Iowa) — The company that owns meat processing plants in Council Bluffs, Marshalltown, Ottumwa is making a five MILLION dollar donation for coronavirus response and other initiatives in those three cities. J-B-S U-S-A operates pork plants in Ottumwa and Marshalltown and has two facilities in Council Bluffs that process sliced and cooked meats that are sold in stores. According to a news release from J-B-S U-S-A, the five MILLION dollars will be used to support COVID-19 emergency response and relief efforts, to address food insecurity and to strengthen long-term community infrastructure in the three cities.

J-B-S representatives will work with local officials to identify projects and all funds will be committed by December 31st. J-B-S employs more than 48-hundred people at its four plants in Iowa. According to the company, it pays local pork producers nearly one-point-seven BILLION dollars for hogs that are slaughtered at the plants in Ottuwma and Marshalltown.

w/Kate Olson.

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