Senate File 608 would increase the minimum of the grain indemnity fund to $5 million and the maximum to $12 million. This is an increase from the current parameters, which are set at $3 million and $8 million, though it is not as great an increase as a bill proposed in the Iowa House of Representatives. The House bill would increase the fund’s range to $8 million and $16 million.  SF 608 would also include “grain purchased under credit-sale contract” under the definition of “purchased grain” meaning grain purchased on a credit sale would be eligible for the same indemnity protections.

The House version of the bill would also include credit-sale contracts, but would reimburse those contracts at a rate of 70% of the grain purchased.  Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen, R-Walcott, added a minor clarifying amendment to the bill, which passed.  The bill advances after a vote of 39-8.

House File 508 has yet to be debated on the House floor.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has brought back a lawsuit in a zoning case involving a Christian conservative group. The Family Leader sought the rezoning of a former pumpkin farm and cornfields in rural Polk County so it could turn it into an office area and events venue. Nearby landowners and the One-thousand Friends of Iowa group sued to stop the rezoning, but the district court ruled they did not have standing to sue.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the landowners do have standing, and One-Thousand Friends should be able to fill in other information in their suit to prove they have members with a direct interest in the zoning.

Three justices dissented on that point, and the case now goes back to the district court.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources report the City of Atlantic was recently honored with the 2024 Tree City USA Award at the 34th Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on April 3rd, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.   

“The Tree City USA award is a symbol for communities who have made a commitment to the management of public trees,” says state forester Jeff Goerndt. “Your community has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa communities by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations.”

In the picture are Kayla Lyon, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Dolly Bergmann with Atlantic Trees Forever and Jeff Goerndt, State Forester (Photo courtesy the IA DNR)

 Atlantic was one of 73 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA status. To receive the award, a city must, at a minimum, have either a city forester or an active city tree board; have a tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program; and have a tree planting and maintenance plan. 

ATLANTIC, IA (April 7, 2025) – Produce in the Park’s “EGG-cellent Spring Celebration Market” is all about farm-fresh eggs. Spring Celebration Market will be held at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (1100 Maple St. Atlantic, IA 50022) on Saturday, April 19 from noon to 3:00 PM. Market visitors will find farm-fresh egg vendors, a 4-H poultry exhibitor sharing information and offering a free egg art craft, and Cass Health Dietitian Sarah Andersen sharing information on the benefits and nutrients of eggs, as well as different ways to prepare this versatile food. Cass County Extension will be sharing information on raising chickens, and Sarah Selders will be offering Easter-themed face painting–which of course will feature Easter eggs.

Spring Celebration Market attendees will hear tunes from the Squeezy Pease Accordion Due, get to see a live Easter bunny, and enjoy a free bounce house and playland thanks to the YMCA. Pim’s Thai Food Truck and Lucky Wife Wine Slushies will be parked outside the YMCA during the market.

Vendors at the spring farmers market will offer lots of local vegetables including fresh greens, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, as well as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, honey, and farm-fresh eggs. The market will also offer a variety of baked goods and desserts including gourmet cupcakes, cookies, kringle, pies, rye bread, and other sweet breads. Craft vendors will be selling jewelry, home decorations, candles, wax melts, a variety of bath and body products, and more. Lastly, late April is a great time to buy plants, and vendors will be selling both potted plants and plant starts. As with all Produce in the Park farmers markets, there is no cost to enter the farmers market, and local organizations–including Cass County Tourism and Healthy Cass County–will be at the market sharing information on various community happenings and resources.

All Produce in the Park farmers markets accept SNAP EBT, otherwise known as food stamps, for all qualifying food items. Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor applications for Spring Celebration Market, and is also now accepting vendor and sponsor applications for summer markets in the Atlantic City Park. Vendor and sponsor applications can be found online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com; printed copies of the applications are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park seeks vendors selling handmade or homegrown products, including local foods, as well as beauty products, candles, crafts, art, and decorations.

Spring Celebration Market Market 2025 is sponsored by Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass County Tourism, Cass Health, City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.
For the latest information on all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic FFA Banquet was held March 30th at the Atlantic High School. According to Atlantic FFA reporter Maddy Anderson, there were 195 members and guests were present at the event. The banquet started with the opening ceremonies, led by the 2024-2025 chapter officers. This year the officers include President Lola Comes, Vice President Lily Johnson, Secretary Lauren Comes, Treasurer Hayden Kleen, Reporter Maddy Anderson, Sentinel Frank Freund, and Student Advisor Joaquin Wailes.

2024-25 Chapter President Lola Comes said “The FFA banquet is a reflection of each members’ hard work, incentives, and dedication to the agriculture industry. [Members] spent the evening sharing [their] accomplishments and great food with parents, alumni, and current FFA members.” The opening ceremony was followed by a welcome to members and guests, and was given by President Lola Comes. Following that, dinner was held for members and guests. Wiota Steakhouse provided the pulled pork and the sides for the FFA members and guests. The Alumni chapter held a silent auction that raised over $1,300 for future scholarships.

Following presentations by guest speakers, awards were given out. First were those recognized for earning 10,000 FFA points throughout their time as a member. These points are earned through getting involved with our chapter. The more activities and events a member participates in, the more points they earn. Those recognized for reaching 10,000 points included Mia Kloewer, Lola Comes and McKenna Sonntag. The next award was the Academic Achievement Award. The award is given to those who have been a part of the Atlantic FFA chapter for three years, and have maintained a 3.5 GPA or above throughout all those years. Those who received the Academic Achievement Award included Carter Witzman, Lola Comes, Joci Zarbaono, McKenna Sonntag, Mia Kloewer.

10,000 point club

Honorary Chapter Farmer: Claire, Drew, Kim and Lola Comes.

Star Placement: Joaquin Wales

Star Farmer: Lola Comes

Star Greenhand Award: Walter Freund

After the Academic Achievement Award came the Star Greenhand, Star Ag Placement and Star of Ag Production Awards. The Star Greenhand is awarded to a freshman who the chapter officers feel was the most involved with the chapter in the past year. The award was given to Walter Freund. The next award, Star Ag Placement, is an award given to a member that has done an exceptional job in their employment, whether that be in or out of agriculture. The award was presented to Joaquin Wailes. Finally, the star Ag Production was awarded to Lola Comes for her dedication to Agriculture, the FFA and work on Comes Farms.

This year also, new officers for the 2025-2026 term elected two members to receive the Atlantic FFA Leadership Award, which is given in appreciation to those who have shown leadership through their years in FFA. The two members who received the award were Mia Kloewer and McKenna Sonntag. The officers elected the Drew & Kim Comes Family to receive the Honorary Chapter Farmer award. That award is given to people who have played a large role in helping the Atlantic FFA chapter and the activities they do.

16 FFA members were given the Discovery Degree. The Discovery Degree is awarded to members who are finishing their 8th grade year of schooling, and have been involved in FFA for one year. Those that have been involved for one year of high school Ag, received the Greenhand Degree, which was given to 20 members. Next came 17 members who were Chapter FFA degrees, which are given to members who have been involved in FFA for 2 years since being in high school, or members who have been in FFA for three years including their 8th grade year.

The banquet concluded with the installation of new chapter officers. For the upcoming 2025-2026 year, the new officers include the following: Lauren Comes as President, Frank Freund as Vice President, Lily Johnson as Secretary, Hayden Kleen as Treasurer, Maddy Anderson as Reporter, Keston Schmitt as Sentinel, and Claire Schroder as Student Advisor.

(Radio Iowa) – The weather has been on an up and down warm to cold and back again cycle in recent weeks. State climatologist Justan Glisan says the short term outlook is still split. “What that means is we’re not getting a clear signal, and we’re in a transition from a weak La Nina back towards what we call ENSO neutral, or between El Nino and La Nina,” Glisan says. He says there’s a little stronger indication as we get deeper into April. “We are seeing a warmer signal develop towards the middle of the month, but also a leaning drier signal,” he says.

Glisan says the current projection would bode well for farmers. “A warmer and dryer signal would be a good window for field work to get started for our farmers out there that are itching to get the planters out,” Glisan says.

March was the first month so far this year to see above normal precipitation.

(Radio Iowa) – An ambitious new bicycle trail is proposed for northwest Iowa that would span five counties, following the Highway 71 corridor. The Iowa Great Lakes Connection Five-County Trail would complete a bike trail from Spirit Lake to Carroll through Dickinson, Clay, Buena Vista, Sac, and Carroll counties. Group organizer Kathy Fueston says trail supporters met last month in Storm Lake for the first time since 2013.  “We had a great showing from all five counties,” Fueston says, “and certainly representation on how they saw their portion of the trail being built.” A new trail would run from Spencer to Lake View. The project would connect to existing trail systems on each end, including the Iowa Great Lakes Spine Trail to the north and the Sauk Rail Trail to the south. Smaller loops could connect other communities.

Fueston says the next section of the project will be from Dickinson to Clay counties. “That project should start this summer,” she says. “They’re hoping to go at least halfway, but they may make it all the way to Clay County, depending on funding. Sac County is currently working on a trail to Lake View. Those two sections are probably next, and then Sac City to Storm Lake, Storm Lake to Spencer will be the ones that we’ll really be working hard on to get the funding and figure out exactly how our trail route will go.” Fueston has been working on the project for 20 years and says the trail as currently proposed would stay along Highway 71 from Okoboji to Early. Group members feel the five counties working together could have more impact seeking grants and donations than if they were working separately.

Fueston says project representatives attended the Iowa Bicycle Coalition Expo in January. “We were trying to educate the Des Moines people on this trail, because when finished, we certainly know they’ll be headed north as much as we’ll be headed south,” Fueston says. “It’s a huge project, but we’re down to basically completing two and a half counties. So when you put it in that perspective, it seems manageable.”

The leaders of the group foresee the project eventually growing into a 220-mile paved trail from Okoboji to Des Moines, and potentially beyond.

(Radio Iowa) – House Speaker Pat Grassley says a bill that would provide some liability to protection to the makers of Roundup and other farm chemical companies does not have enough Republican support to pass the Iowa House. “We’ve had a lot of conversations…I think a lot of our members see both sides of this issue when it comes to making sure that we have a product that’s actually made here in Iowa, that’s an American made product,” Grassley says. “…I think there’s also some concerns with this, the public perception.”

The bill is a priority for Bayer, the maker of Roundup, which is facing a number of lawsuits from Americans who allege their cancer is connected to their use of Roundup. The bill says farm chemical companies that follow E-P-A labeling standards cannot be sued for failing to issue health warnings about the products. Grassley, a farmer from New Hartford, says the bill is narrowly focused.

“I’m not sure that the bill is being totally digested from the perspective of just from the labeling,” Grassley says. “Some of the narrative that’s been out there maybe distracts from that.” The bill passed the Iowa Senate last year and it passed the Senate again last week, but by a narrower margin. Senate President Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, has been a vocal supporter of the bill.

“I don’t try to tell the House how to do their job. I suppose the House can be entitled to their wrong opinion,” Sinclair said. “I believe wholeheartedly the bill we passed doesn’t prevent anybody from seeking justice if they’re damaged by a company.” But Sinclair says a company that sells a product with labels that follow federal guidelines shouldn’t face lawsuits alleging the labels are flawed.

(Radio Iowa) – The emergency self-evacuation and shelter-in-place orders instituted Monday after a fire started at the Coop in Otley have been lifted. Information from the Marion County Emergency Management Agency says the fire at Two Rivers Cooperative is now out and the orders were lifted at 10:30 this (Thursday) morning. The fire in the fertilizer storage facility caused concerns about the air quality, but E-P-A monitoring shows the air quality is now safe.

Investigators are trying to figure out the cause of the fire. Marion County Public Safety and the D-N-R are continuing to monitor the cleanup efforts.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans have seen radical temperature swings lately, with highs in the 80s followed by snowfall days later, but one outlet predicts the summer ahead will be stuck on one setting: steamy. Sandi Duncan, editor of the Farmer’s Almanac, warns Iowans had better stock up on sunscreen. “I hope you’re ready for some heat, because the heat is on for this summer, and in fact, we do think there’s going to be some possible record breakers,” Duncan says. “It does look like it’s going to be a very warm summer for you guys, so be prepared.” Since 1818, the almanac has been using a proprietary formula to forecast the weather, based on historical and celestial factors. Duncan says Iowa’s long-running bouts with drought will likely return this summer.

“Looking ahead, the Farmer’s Almanac is saying this should be about average on rainfall, so that’s good, not too wet, not too dry,” Duncan says, “however, with the very hot temperatures, you can imagine that you might have to do some supplemental watering for your garden or for your irrigation systems, because it’s going to be a hot one for sure.” The almanac predicts thunderstorms for the 4th of July in Iowa this year, and she suggests making plans either for the next day or to be indoors. Duncan says Iowa will be far from alone in trying to beat the summer heat.

“As we do, the long-range weather forecast does look like it’s going to be quite hot in almost every area,” Duncan says. “We are seeing some very dry conditions out in the California area, which is kind of concerning with all the wildfires that happen out there.” Last year, Des Moines saw 27 days with temperatures at or above 90 degrees, with the highest temperature of 99 degrees set last August 26th. The Lewiston, Maine-based almanac boasts a forecast accuracy rate of 80% to 85%. The prognosticating formula was developed more than two centuries ago, based on factors including sunspot activity, planet positions, and the effect the Moon has on the Earth.

Besides long-term weather predictions, the Farmers’ Almanac also contains a wealth of information on gardening, cooking, home remedies, folklore, managing your household, living in harmony with nature, and more.

On the web at: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/