(Radio Iowa) – A Senate panel has unanimously dismissed an ethics complaint alleging a state senator pressured officials to approve a state permit for his son-in-law’s cattle feedlot. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has approved the application for a company called Supreme Beef to feed up to 11-thousand-600 cattle in a lot near Marquette in northeast Iowa. The complaint against Republican Senator Dan Zumbach of Ryan was filed by the Committee to Save Bloody Run Creek — Bloody Run is the name of a trout stream that’s near the Supreme Beef site.

The group said Zumbach spoke with D-N-R staff at least twice about the project. The Republican chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee says Zumbach had every right to do what he did and legislators shouldn’t open the door to complaints like this. A Democrat on the committee says Zumbach’s actions were eyebrow-raising, but she joined with other members of the Senate Ethics Committee to dismiss the complaint.

Zumbach does not have a financial stake in the cattle lot. Zumbach has said his advocacy on his son-in-law’s behalf was the same as it’s been for any constituent trying to navigate the regulatory process.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – Officials with Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, Inc. (SWINT) announced Wednesday, that their organization has been selected to receive an incredible annual gift of $25,000 from Dr. Ted and Polly Hoff. Dr. Ted and Polly partnered with Pottawattamie County Community Foundation (PCCF) in 2013 to create a donor-advised fund as a way for their family to financially support area nonprofit organizations in a long-term capacity. The annual gift from the Hoff Family Fund to SWINT will support operational needs and infrastructure repairs for the Wabash Trace Nature Trail.

The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a converted railroad right-of-way running 63 miles and over 72 bridges through the scenic Southwest Iowa countryside, beginning in Council Bluffs and ending at the Missouri state line. SWINT was established in 1988, and with the invaluable assistance of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and countless volunteers and community stakeholders, the railroad right-of-way was railbanked in 1989, and the trail was completed and dedicated in 1997.

SWINT President Rebecca Castle Laughlin says “The Hoff Family’s annual gift came as such a wonderful surprise to our organization. We operate on a small annual budget and depend upon trail pass fees and donations to fund basic operating needs. Annual planned gifts, such as the donation from the Hoff Family Fund, will become ever important to sustaining the Wabash Trace as the trail’s infrastructure continues to age. We are extremely thankful to the Hoff Family for their generosity. Their commitment will help ensure the public’s enjoyment of the Wabash Trace for many generations to come.”

The aging infrastructure of the trail means that new surfacing, bridge repairs, and tree trimming is a never-ending job. SWINT Board members are fortunate to be able to seek grant assistance for larger projects as they arise, but operational costs for anything from insurance to fuel for maintenance vehicles are dependent upon the organization’s annual fundraising campaigns and donations.

Laughlin added, “We greatly appreciate every donation to SWINT, no matter the size, but having the assurance that we will be receiving this generous contribution from the Hoff Family every year helps us more effectively plan our budget around larger upcoming costs that we know are looming. Dr. Hoff says he and his wife “Are excited about being a part of the future for this wonderful trail. It has so many uses for people of all ages.”

A donor advised fund at PCCF is a type of charitable giving fund created to support a cause (or causes) that the donor cares about. The fund allows a donor to remain involved and active in charitable giving by recommending how the funds should be granted. In 2021, donors and investors at PCCF recommended 269 grants totaling more than $1.9 million. Grants were allocated to projects in a variety of focus areas, such as: Arts & Culture, Community Betterment, Education, Environment and Animals, Health, Human Services, and Youth.

Pottawattamie County Community Foundation is your connection to creating a lasting legacy and ensuring our communities are strong, vibrant, and attractive for generations to come. PCCF works with donors to maximize their charitable gifts, which can include, but are not limited to the following: cash gifts, financial investments, bequests, gifts of grain, stocks and securities, livestock, real estate, and vehicles. For individuals interested in creating a fund, please contact PCCF at 712-256-7007 or visit www.ourpccf.org for more information.

w/Kate Olson.

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DES MOINES, IOWA—FFA members from across Iowa converged on the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines to build character and promote citizenship, volunteerism, and patriotism. More than 600 high school students wearing blue corduroy from 100 schools visited the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines on February 1st. The students visited with legislators, exhibited skills learned in the agriculture classroom and learned the importance of citizenship. This was all part of the 37th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol.

(from left to right): Logan Eilts, Malena Woodward, Bryan York, Wyatt Redinbaugh (seated) Representative Tom Moore, Aspen Niklasen, Cooper Jipsen and Dylan Comes.

Picture Left to right Malena Woodward, Bryan York, Senator Tom Shipley, Aspen Niklasen, Wyatt Redinbaugh, Logan Eilts, Cooper Jipsen, Dylan Comes.

During the morning, Atlantic FFA members Wyatt Redinbaugh, Cooper Jipsen, Byran York, Dylan Comes, Aspen Niklasen, Logan Eitls, and Malena Woodward gathered at the Downtown Embassy Suites and heard from Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, about the importance of agriculture in Iowa and abroad. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President, Brent Johnson, then delivered a message about the importance young agriculturalists can play in the agriculture industry. Elizabeth Burns Thompson from Navigator CO2 then spoke about the importance of advocating for the agricultural industry.

The morning program culminated with FFA members hearing a brief message from Governor Kim Reynolds, who then presented and signed the FFA Week Proclamation. The proclamation officially declares February 19-26, the week of President George Washington’s Birthday, FFA Week in Iowa. After the presentation, FFA members traveled to the Iowa Capital to meet with legislators. Senator Tom Shipley and members of the Atlantic FFA chapter spoke about Mr Shipleys typical day and then each member had questions to ask about policy that affects students. Next Atlantic FFA members met with Representative Tom Moore and spoke to him for about 20 minutes. Mr Moore also showed our members the Iowa House chambers and his desk. York said, “ it was a very productive session where we could not only learn about the legislative process but also have our chapter’s voice heard. I was very thankful for the opportunity to talk to our representatives.”

The 37th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol was made possible with support from Iowa Farm Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation.

(Reporting by Atlantic FFA Reporter Aspen Niklasen/ photos & story submitted by Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller)

(Radio Iowa) – The governor’s plan to require that most Iowa fueling stations sell gas with a 15 percent ethanol blend has cleared the Senate Ag Committee — without any debate. Republican Senator Dan Zumbach of Ryan was the only person to speak about the bill before a subcommittee AND the Senate Ag Committee voted to advance it. “Good bills come with questions. Good bills come with controversy. Good bills come with answers,” Zumbach says. “This bill answers a lot of questions. Does it create some? Absolutely, but this bill is about doing what Iowans do and that’s supporting Iowans.”

Last year, Governor Reynolds proposed an Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard, but the state’s fuel industry warned motorists would see higher pump prices as stations spent money upgrading equipment to handle higher blends of ethanol as well as biodiesel, which has a soybean-based additive. This year’s revised proposal includes waivers for smaller stations which can show they cannot afford to upgrade fuel handling systems to handle E-15, E-85 and B-20. “It’s about making corn and soybeans worth more,” he said, “and having great fuel access everywhere.”

The bill easily cleared the Iowa House last week and its next stop in the Senate is the Ways and Means Committee.

(Radio Iowa) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing one-billion-dollars in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farms, ranches and forests. U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the initiative will help farmers generate more profits and make America more competitive in markets abroad. “We need to get there first,” Vilsack says. “We need to be able to say to the world, ‘We have led in this effort,’ in order to maintain and expand those export markets.” The secretary says the funding will go toward projects such as cover crops and manure management.

Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, is asking for ideas on how to execute practices like no-till farming and nutrient management on a large scale.  “We’re trying to incentivize the creation of climate-smart commodities that hold higher value in the marketplace,” he says, “that farmers can generate additional profit from, and capture value for the farmer.” Local and state governments, nonprofits and small businesses can apply for the federal money.

The Biden administration is trying to slash greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in half by 2030. Vilsack announced the program Monday at Lincoln University of Missouri in Jefferson City.

(Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – An open burning ban will be in place for Pottawattamie County starting today (February 8, 2022) at 2:00 p.m. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the county. The current weather forecast and environmental conditions indicate a very high fire danger for today with a warm/dry pattern continuing over the next couple of weeks. Under the current dry conditions, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly.

Emergency Management Director Doug Reed says “Pottawattamie County has seen the devastating effects of fire in extreme conditions and we want to do everything we can to help mitigate incidents like that from occurring.” During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground and set-asides or other items during the ban.

Small recreational camp fires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fire place of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh. Any camp fire not in an outdoor fire place is prohibited.
Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban.

For updated information on burn bans and the law you can find further information on the Pott. County EMA Facebook, Twitter, and web pages. The ban will remain in place until environmental conditions improve

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at  Moorland Pond (Fort Dodge) and Big Lake (Council Bluffs) as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer.  All winter/spring community trout stockings will be unannounced this year. Check the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/trout and watch for future press releases to find out when the remaining community trout locations have been stocked.

The winter/spring community trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A small hook with a nightcrawler or corn under a small bobber or small simple spinners, such as a Panther Martin or Mepps, is all you need to get in on the fun. Bringing trout to cities and towns offers a “close to home” option for Iowans who might not travel to the coldwater streams in northeast Iowa to discover trout fishing.

The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.  Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.

Find more information about trout fishing in Iowa on the DNR trout fishing webpage.

(Radio Iowa) – Democrat State Representative Art Staed of Cedar Rapids is trying again on legislation to establish an immediate moratorium on the expansion of factory farming in the state. He talked about it today (Monday) in an online call with reporters. “My bill will help stymie corporate ag’s predatory growth in our state, confront our water quality crisis, and rectify the unfair treatment of contract growers,” Staed says. This year marks the fifth that Iowa legislators and advocates have collaborated to try and pass the bill.

Staed admits with the House controlled by Republicans, it won’t be easy to get it going. “In the House they’ve ignored this in the past. We’ll see what happens this year,” he says. “We’ve had difficulty getting any Republican signatures to be honest — but we do have quite a few House members who are interested in it.” He would like to just see it get a hearing in the House. “There are legislators in both parties who are very interested in doing something about this, taking action,” according to Staed, “for whatever reason aren’t willing to come forward at this time until they see greater movement or at least a subcommittee hearing where we can have the public involved and others come and speak.”

Staed says there are more than 10-thousand factory farms with anywhere from 300-500 new facilities added to the state each year.