(By Atlantic FFA reporter Aspen Niklasen) – On Saturday, March 6th, 2021, 30 members of the Atlantic FFA chapter competed in the District Career Development Events in Corning. The District FFA CDE is the second round of FFA speaking events with the top 2 individuals and teams advancing to State FFA Convention in April. During the District Business session Sophomore Dylan Comes was elected as the District treasurer for 2021-22. Comes will have several new responsibilities in his office. To earn his newly elected spot he had to give a speech and answered two questions earlier during the business session. Comes said “It was a very challenging and fun experience. I am really looking forward to all the new people I will meet, all the things I will learn, and places I will go for the next year.”

District Group: Close to Far
Jackson McLaren, Daniel Freund, Dylan Comes Bryan York, Claire Pellett

Dylan Comes SW District Treasurer

Cooper Jipsen 1st Place Ag Welding

Hannah Carlson and Logan Eilts were the chapter delegates for Atlantic FFA at convention. Delegates at the District Career Development Event help pick next year’s district officers. Dan Freund and Jackson McLaren competed in the FFA Chapter Website earning a silver getting 5th place. Jackson McLaren said, “The Chapter Website was a good learning experience for me to get more comfortable with technology. It was also interesting to learn more about our Chapter’s history. “ Cooper Jipsen competed in Ag Welding earning a Gold and placing 1st. The FFA Agricultural Welding CDE Contest tests students’ skills in agriculture welding.

Jipsen said “It was a really good time, and I got to meet a lot of new people. For the contest we had to do three stick welds and two wire welds.” Wyatt Redinbaugh competed in Torch Welding earning a Gold placing 3rd. The torch welding contest works to better improve students skills in torch welding. FFA member Dylan Comes competed in Extemporaneous Speaking earning a Silver placing 4th. In Extemporaneous Speaking students showcase their agricultural knowledge and ability to think on their feet in front of a panel of judges. Bryan York competed in Ag Sales and earned a Silver placing 4th. Students build a sales plan and demonstrate skills in customer relations for the Ag sales competition. “I was competing by trying to sell a product to a potential customer. In my case I was trying to sell vegetables.” said York.

Clarire Pellett competed in FFA Creed and earned a Silver placing 5th. In FFA Creed, FFA members recite the National FFA Creed to develop public speaking skills and self-confidence. “It was a great experience to work on my public speaking and to work on thinking on the spot.” said Pellett. Taylor McCreedy competed in Ag Broadcasting earned a Silver placing 6th. The Ag Broadcasting contest helps members learn to communicate effectively while advocating for agriculture. In the Farm Business Management Test Atlantic FFA had 10 members complete. Drey Newell, Cooper Jipsen, Hannah Carlson, Bryan York, Malena Woodward, Wyatt Redinbaugh, Caroline Pellett, Aspen Niklasen, Garrett Reynonlds, and Logan Eilts earned a Silver medal.

The members took a test that helped them learn business skills and apply economic principles to agricultural businesses, through a series of questions. In the FFA Freshman Greenhand Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 10 members compete. Claire Pellett, Callee Pellett, Tate Niklasen, Charles Klemmensen, Colton Becker, Chris Keegan earned Silver and Colton Rudy, Thomas Leonard, Roth Den Beste earned a Bronze medal. The purpose of the test is to show that members have an understanding of the history and purpose of FFA.

Finally, seven members of the Atlantic FFA earned the FFA Academic Achievement Award. To earn this award an FFA member must be a member for 3 years and maintain a 3.5 GPA while in high school. These years were awarded to Bethany Anderson, Craig Alan Becker, Hannah Carlson, Alyssa Derby, Gunner Kirchhoff, Taylor McCreedy, Drey Newell, Caroline Pellett and Garrett Reynolds. Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller said, “We had a pretty good day. I am proud of all our students that competed today and gave their best effort.”

The Iowa Chapter of the REALTORS® Land Institute reports in their March 2021 Land Trends and Values Survey, a 7.8% increase in farmland values on a statewide average, for the September 2020 to March 2021 time period. This is following a period of 12 months that featured farmland values that were virtually unchanged across the state. Participants in the survey are specialists in farmland and are asked for their opinions about the current status of the Iowa farmland market.

They were asked to estimate the average value of farmland as of March 1, 2021. These estimates are for bare, unimproved land with a sale price on a cash basis. Pasture and timberland values were also requested as supplemental information. The RLI says “These results will come as no surprise to many, as Net Farm Incomes have surged in recent months. Government support payments in 2020 coupled with a rally in commodity prices to five-year highs have brought new optimism to the land market. Other major factors driving these increases are low interest rates and a very low supply of quality farms being offered to the market.”

The Northern Tier of Crop Reporting Districts showed the greatest strength, ranging from an 8.3% to 9.6% increase in cropland values. The Southern Tier showed the most modest gains ranging from 6.2% to 6.6% from September 2020 to March 2021. Timber and Pasture acres showed similar strength, boasting a 7.9% increase to Timberland values and a 6.5% to Pastureland values.

REALTORS® Land Institutes – Iowa Chapter farmland value survey has been conducted in March and September since 1978. This survey plus the RLI Farm and Ranch Multiple Listing Service are activities of REALTORS® specializing in agricultural land brokerage daily.

NEOLA— In an investigation Monday, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff found improper animal disposal and stockpiled paunch manure, along with manure runoff entering Keg Creek, in Pottawattamie County.

DNR staff responded to six complaints against the Feedlot Service Company, a small cattle feedlot about three miles southeast of Neola, owned by Fred Roane. Roane stockpiles and land applies paunch manure, the partially digested stomach contents of slaughtered animals.

DNR staff found paunch manure and animal parts—including hides, tails, hooves, bellies, hearts and other parts—spread on two fields totaling about 160 acres. Bacteria and excess nutrients from improper animal disposal can endanger human and animal health when disease-causing organisms enter soil or groundwater.

Roane indicated he has a license from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to land apply paunch manure. However, paunch manure does not include dead animal parts. DNR is working with IDALS to clarify land application requirements.

At the feedlot, investigators collected water samples for laboratory analysis in two places where stockpile runoff entered Keg Creek.

DNR is working with Roane to excavate and remove dead animal parts from both fields. Also, DNR staff directed Roane to stop runoff from reaching the creek. The DNR will continue to monitor the site and consider appropriate enforcement actions.

March 5, 2021 (Oakland, Iowa) — Golden Hills RC&D is pleased to announce that Western Skies Scenic Byway is the featured byway for the month of March. As part of the participation in the new Scenic Byways Passport program, each byway will offer a prize package from businesses and attractions along the byway for the featured month. The free digital Scenic Byways Passport encourages people to explore scenic byways and more than 100 unique attractions and destinations. Geofencing at participating locations allows travelers to check-in on the passport, earning them an entry into a monthly drawing for a prize package including an overnight stay, gift certificates and more valued at approximately $200. Select businesses along the byways will offer deals and discounts exclusively for passholders. Each deal redemption also earns an entry into the monthly drawing. The promotion runs through December 31, 2021 and features multiple stops on thirteen of Iowa’s Byways.

The Western Skies Scenic Byway prize package is valued at over $400 and features everything you need for a great getaway in western Iowa. Local businesses and attractions have generously donated the following items: a two-night stay at Whiterock Conservancy’s Garst Historic Farmhouse, $200 in gift certificates to Coon Rapids businesses (Coon Rapids Hardware Hank, Nature Ammil, The Trading Post, Brown Bag & Co., Frohlich’s SuperValu, Chuck’s Bar and Grill, Cady’s Coffee Shop and Coon Bowl III); an Audubon County Tourism bundle including a t-shirt, an Albert the Bull Sticker, free tour for two at Nathaniel Hamlin Park & Museum, $25 gift certificate to Darrell’s Place and two nights free for camping at Littlefield Recreation Area; and Harlan’s Milk & Honey package including a t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate.

Travelers can sign up for the passport at explore.traveliowa.com/byways with their email address or by scanning a QR code from posters at locations included on the passport.

“The Passport program is a great partnership between the Iowa Tourism Office, the DOT and the local byways,” noted the Western Skies Scenic Byway Coordinator Rebecca Castle Laughlin. “It provides a new interactive component to the byway experience while allowing travelers to choose their level of interaction. Many of the locations on the passport are parks and other outdoor attractions, which don’t limit visitors to standard operational hours and can provide for natural social distancing.”

“Transportation is essential to connecting people with all the wonderful things Iowa has to offer,” said Scott Marler, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation. “Our state’s scenic byways system helps travelers recognize both main roadways and roads less traveled that highlight the uniqueness of our great state.”

“Iowa’s scenic byways offer both a breathtaking view of our state’s diverse landscapes and a journey through Iowa’s cultural heritage through historic sites, national landmarks and other attractions that tell our state’s story,” said Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority. “The new Scenic Byways Passport is a great new way to explore Iowa all year long.”

Passport holders are encouraged to follow Travel Iowa on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on monthly prize packages. More information can also be found on the Golden Hills RC&D and Western Skies Scenic Byway Facebook pages.

Tourism in Iowa generates nearly $9 billion in expenditures and $517.5 million in state taxes, while employing 70,200 people statewide. The Iowa Tourism Office is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For more information, visit traveliowa.com.

(Radio Iowa) – Senator Ken Rozenboom of Oskaloosa says the deer population is too large in some areas of the state and it’s time to change some of the state’s hunting regulations.  “In Appanoose County…the DNR’s target was to have 2700 deer taken this past year,” Rozenboom says, “but only 2200 were taken, so that’s 500 deer that are out there.”

Rozenboom is sponsoring a bill that calls for a study of the economic and environmental impact of the state’s deer population. He expects the study would indicate the Department of Natural Resources deer management targets should be increased. Jim Obradovich, a lobbyist for the Iowa Conservation Alliance, says the organization suggests changing who grants permits to hunters who have permission to hunt on specific properties. “Moving it out of a central location here in Des Moines and then actually having the conservation officers who know their areas the best be the ones who are able to issue those permits,” Obradovich says. “We wouldn’t be breaking new ground with this, by any means. We have some neighboring states who do that.”

Rozenboom also wants to reduce the 15-hundred dollar civil fine for illegally taking a deer. He hasn’t settled on a figure yet and Eric Goranson, a lobbyist for Pheasants Forever and the Iowa Bow Hunters Association, warns if it’s too low, unscrupulous hunters will exploit it. “It’d very easy to roll the dice and just start slaughtering deer, knowing that if you get caught every few years, it might be cheaper to do that,” Goranson says.

The bill has cleared a senate subcommittee, but the bill’s sponsor says major adjustments are in the works.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is warning aquarium owners a popular product they purchased could have the potential to spread an invasive species into state waterways. D-N-R aquatic invasive species coordinator, Kim Bogenschutz says the product is used to absorb harmful nutrients in the water– but has been found to have invasive zebra mussels in them. “They are called moss balls — but they are actually an algae, so it’s a balled algae. They were imported — we think from Ukraine — but they are distributed around the world,” Bogenschutz says.

Bogenschutz says they could lead to a much greater spread of the zebra muscles in the state. “The concern is that the people who have bought them for their aquariums and then decide they no longer the plants and fish and then dump them in a local waterway or down a storm drain and then they get into our lake and rivers,” she explains. “And that is certainly something we do not want to happen.” They are called Marimo balls too and can be sold as the “Betta Buddy” product. They were first found in Washington state on March 3rd and have since been found in pet and aquarium stores in several states. Bogenschutz says there are a couple of things you can do to kill the mussels before throwing them away. “Freeze them for a day, boil them for a minute. Or they can also disinfect them with chlorine and put them in a ziplock bag and throw them in the trash,” according to Bogenschutz. “If they have water in their aquariums, they should disinfect that as well. If they have a small amount they can boil it or disinfect it with chlorine.”

She says they are no longer for sale. Bogenschutz says state and federal law enforcement have gone to all the chain stores and confiscated the product. Zebra mussels grow rapidly and choke out all other species. Bogenschutz has led the effort to get boaters to keep from spreading them. “We’re doing really well. We don’t have them in too many locations, but there is always a potential for the spread between those water bodies too,” Bogenschutz says. “That’s why we need people to clean and drain and dry their equipment, the things you hear me talk about in the summer with your equipment, and now with the aquarium. This goes for goldfish or anything else that is in your aquariums…they never should be dumped out in ponds or lakes or rivers.”

Zebra mussels look like small, D-shaped clams that have alternating light and dark bands. Most are less than one inch long. Find more information about aquatic invasive species and how you can help prevent their spread in Iowa’s waters on the D-N-R’s website at www.iowadnr.gov.

w/Kate Olson.

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Des Moines, Iowa – Agricultural teachers play an essential and selfless role in the communities they serve. As they prepare future generations for successful careers, many also devote countless hours and often their own resources to make a difference. To shed light on the contributions of Iowa’s leading agricultural teachers, Nationwide, insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.1, is honoring seven exceptional teachers as finalists for its Golden Owl Award. Among the finalists is Brittany Elmquist, Ag Teacher for the Audubon High School.

In partnership with the Iowa FFA Foundation, Nationwide collected more than 400 nominations from local students, fellow teachers, parents and community members from August to December 2020.

Iowa’s 2020-2021 Golden Owl Award finalists are:

Dr. Michael Retallick – Iowa State University
Wyatt Forsyth – Wapsie Valley High School
Elisa Russ-Poggemiller – Clear Lake High School
Kylie Nettinga – Western Christian High School
Marcia Kilgard – Iowa Valley High School
Monty Collins – Pleasantville High School
Brittany Elmquist – Audubon High School

Each finalist will receive an individualized plaque and $500 to help fund future educational efforts and will be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as Iowa’s Ag Educator of the Year. In addition to the Ag Educator of the Year designation, the grand-prize winner will also receive a $3,000 Nationwide-funded check to help bring new educational opportunities to the program and its students and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.

Nationwide’s agribusiness president, Brad Liggett said  “We created the Golden Owl Award in 2018 to honor the contributions of teachers, highlight the growing need for their services, and supply additional resources to help boost their programs and provide students with optimal learning experiences.”

In the award’s second year, Nationwide broadened the program from two states to five, recognizing the efforts of 31 agricultural teachers across California, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania with the 2019-2020 Golden Owl Award. As a result of the positive response from the communities that Golden Owl Award nominees make a difference in, Nationwide expanded the 2020-2021 Golden Owl Award even further to include Indiana and New York. Nationwide is also investing $5,000 in each participating state’s FFA organization, including the Iowa FFA Foundation, to further support aspiring agriculture professionals.

To learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh reports that on Saturday, March 13th, the Anita Town and Country will be hosting a USDA Farmers to Families Food Box distribution at the Anita Community Center (805 Main St.), from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, or as supplies last.

Anyone is welcome to visit the drive-through food box pick-up, and no documentation or proof need is required. Boxes will be given away at no cost or donation. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. The USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes are likely to contain fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat.

For more information, contact: Jodi Irlmeier, Anita Town and Country, 712-762-4234.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture is co-chair of what’s called the Hypoxia Task Force, which works to reduce the size of the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico through cutting nutrient runoff in the Mississippi River basin. Mike Naig says the group, which represents 12 states in the region, recently sent a letter requesting support from President Biden and his administration.

“The federal government can help us with some resources and some regulatory relief, too,” Naig says. “The letter that we sent to the Biden administration, as they come in and set up shop and get their policies underway, that they remember and we encourage them to focus on and be a good partner to the Hypoxia Task Force.” Naig says Iowa launched its nutrient reduction management strategies in 2013 as a way to reduce the size of the hypoxia zone, which covers 21-hundred square miles of the gulf.

“You’ve got states all across the Mississippi River Basin that are implementing their nutrient reduction strategies,” Naig says. “That’s what we want to see, states being proactive, doing what makes sense in their state, working with all of their partners. We want to continue to see that great progress all across the region.” Hypoxia is a lack of oxygen and in the gulf, it means plants die and marine life either dies or moves away. Naig says Iowa farmers are using techniques that are having a beneficial effect on the environment and in battling problems like hypoxia.

“We continue to focus on implementing conservation practices like no-till, reduced tillage, cover crops, building wetlands,” Naig says. “Those are some of the practices that we know, the science tells us those things work. If we see that change on the land, we know we’ll see an improvement in water quality.” The group’s action plan has a near-term target of reducing nutrient loading to the Gulf of Mexico from the basin by 20-percent by 2025.