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.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials in Union County have placed the county under a burn ban (effective today [Feb. 26] at noon). No open burning will be allowed outside of the specific conditions found in Iowa Code 100.40 without a permit until further notice.

Council Bluffs, Iowa – An open burning ban will be in effect immediately for all areas and jurisdictions in Pottawattamie County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Potawatamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the County.

The current dry conditions throughout the region have caused an increase in wild land fire incidents over the weekend. As dry conditions persist, dead and dying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly. A Red Flag Warning was issued today due to conditions being prime for extreme fire behavior. This type of fire behavior is difficult to control and is extremely dangerous to responders and the public.

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles, and discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris or other items during the ban.
Violations of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal penalties as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from the fire.

Visit the Emergency Management website at https://pcema-ia.org for more information on burn bans and the law. All residents are also encouraged to sign up for AlertIowa at the website to receive alerts for fire danger, evacuation notices, severe weather threats, and community emergency notifications.

(Radio Iowa) – As spring nears, farmers are starting to worry again about moisture levels, because the latest U-S Drought Monitor map for Iowa shows almost a fifth of the state is in extreme drought, with more than half of Iowa in severe drought. Angie Rieck-Hinz, a field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, says it’s been 190-some straight weeks of drought for the state and planting season is just a few weeks away. “We hope we get some more rain before we get in the field, definitely, but if we don’t, we’re going to really need some very timely rains throughout this growing season to keep enough water supplied to those crops,” Rieck-Hinz says. “We just don’t have a whole lot in our soil right now or subsoil that those plants can draw from.”

Even with several heavy snows in January, now February is wrapping up warmer and drier than normal, which is worrisome for farmers. “They’re concerned. They know they can’t do a whole lot about it. If anything, farmers are always hopeful about moisture,” Rieck-Hinz says. “There might be some ways we can manage that going into spring. We can think about if we can actually go in and plant without having to do any tillage that would dry out soils even more.” Forecasters say there’s a chance for a mix of rain and snow next week, but it likely won’t be significant enough to make a dent in the drought.

“We should probably think about if we have cover crops out there, if we want to terminate them a little bit earlier than usual,” she says, “so we’re not pulling as much moisture out of the soil. That’s something to think about.” March 19th is the first day of spring.

(Massena, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board (CCCB) is hosting an “Intro to Turkey Hunting” program, Saturday March 16, 2024, at 10-a.m., at the Outdoor Classroom shelter, located at 76977 Tucson Rd, Massena, IA.

The program will focus on “Becoming a Turkey Hunter.” CCCB employees will talk about scouting, calling, and equipment needed as well as different techniques and equipment used by successful turkey hunters. Officials say the program will be great for someone who wants to start turkey hunting or those with more experience. The CCCB will have examples of calls, decoys, blinds, and other tools used in the turkey woods. So, if you want to hit the Turkey woods this spring but don’t know where to start or would just like to pick up another technique or tip, come to the Outdoor Classroom on March 16, 2024, at 10:00am to learn a few things and get started on your turkey hunting adventure.

For questions call CCCB Director Micah Lee at 712-769-2372.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board is holding Shed Antler Hike. The hike will be held at the Pellett Memorial Woods, north of Atlantic, on March 9^th at 1 pm. The event is FREE, all ages are welcome. Dress for the weather.

CCCB invites you to “Cure the winter blues by spending some time outside with family friendly FUN! We will talk about all things antlers! Bring your keen eyes for this scavenger hunt!!”

Participants will meet at Pellett Memorial Woods- located just outside of Atlantic, ½ mile north and ¾ mile east of the KJAN radio station (63066 Troublesome Creek Rd).

“We hope you will join us.”

(Southwest Iowa) – Firefighters across western and central Iowa were kept busy, today (Sunday), knocking down field and brush fires, some of which resulted from controlled burns, while the cause of other incidents were unknown. The Red Oak Fire Department reported on social media, that around 5:17-p.m, Sunday, firefighting crews from the Elliott, Red Oak and Grant FD’s were dispatched to the Justin & Angel Paul property at 1849 140th Street, for a reported brush pile fire that had gotten out of control. Crews were able to contain the fire and terminated fire/ground operations at 5:50-p.m. No injuries were reported.

Sunday evening fire in Montgomery County (Red Oak FD pics)

A Ban on Open burning will be in effect beginning Monday morning, Feb. 26, 2024, for Page, Montgomery and Mills Counties. Harrison County remains under a burn ban until further notice. Adair and Guthrie Counties instituted a burn ban on Saturday. Residents are reminded to “Please make sure all previously burnt areas, brush piles, etc.. have been completely extinguished/buried.”

Less than three-hours after the fire Sunday evening was reported, Red Oak Fire crews were dispatched to property owned by Thomas and Beth Falk, at 1767 165th St, for a reported grass fire. First arriving Fire crews reported one-acre of grass on fire. Mutual Aid was automatically dispatched requesting the Stanton and Elliott Fire Departments, but those crews were  then disregarded.

Sunday afternoon fire

Fire officials say the property owner had been conducting property clean-up and had a burn pit in use. It is believed that embers from this activity started the grass on fire. No injuries reported. Fire/ground operations were terminated at approximately 3:10-p.m.

In Story County, the Kelley Fire Department responded to a fire in a cornfield near 510th Avenue and 300th Street. According to the Story County Sheriff’s Office, the fire grew to 10,000 square feet. A nearby house was not damaged, and no injuries have been reported at this time.

Conditions on Monday may be favorable for more fires with gusty winds and dry conditions. Most of the state of Iowa will be under a Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service in Des Moines from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

[Red Oak, Iowa] – Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman today (Sunday), said “An open burn ban will go into effect Monday, February 26, 2024 at 8:00am, for all areas and jurisdictions within Montgomery County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Montgomery County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.”

Record high temperatures, limited to no moisture and continued drought conditions has created dangerous fire conditions throughout the entire area. Extended forecast outlooks show well above normal temperatures as well as extremely windy conditions causing concern that any outdoor fire will become large and out of control in a very short amount of time.

“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 this ban. Small recreational campfires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fireplace of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh, however extreme caution should be taken. Any campfire not in an outdoor fireplace is prohibited,” according to Hamman.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal charges as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses or injuries resulting from the fire. The open burn ban is anticipated to remain in effect until the county receives substantial precipitation alleviating the increased fire danger risk.