Corning, IA  – Local farmer Marnie Cline recently directed a $2,500 America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation, sponsored by Bayer Fund, to Adams County 4-H Safety Education in Shooting Sports (SESS) project.

SESS will use the funds to purchase ammunition and supplies to maintain the low cost for 4-H members, and pay the fees. Evy Ganfield, Adams County ISU Extension and Outreach County Youth and Outreach Coordinator says “We are so grateful to Marnie for pursuing this grant for the SESS program and benefiting the kids – with this donation we can continue to offer an amazing Shooting Sports project with quality instructors that is available to all of our youth – the equipment is provided, so the financial commitment for families is extremely low.”

Since 2010, the America’s Farmers programs have awarded more than $57 million to nonprofits, aspiring Ag students and public schools across rural America. The Grow Communities program partners with farmers across the country to provide nonprofit organizations with resources to strengthen their local communities.

Each August, farmers can enter for the chance to direct a $2,500 Grow Communities donation to a local eligible nonprofit of their choice. Farmers have directed donations to food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others that reflect the spirit and support the vibrancy of rural America.

To learn how you can be an America’s Farmers Grow Communities recipient, visit www.AmericasFarmers.com. The America’s Farmers Grow Communities 2021 program will kick off on August 1, 2020, and farmers will once again have the opportunity to enroll for a chance to direct a donation to a local eligible nonprofit of their choice.

(Atlantic) – Resuming her RV campaign tour, Democrat US Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield visited Rolling Acres Farm, north of Atlantic, Thursday afternoon. The organic farm is operated by husband & wife team Larry Harris and Denise O’Brien. Due to the COVID-19 threat, the event brought out a small crowd of supporters who toured the farm with Greenfield and O’Brien. Greenfield spoke positively about her campaign and her chances of winning the seat currently held by her Republican opponent.

(Information & photo courtesy Cass County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle)

w/Brandon Schuering.

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(Radio Iowa) – The U.S. Secretary of the Interior used the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum as the backdrop to announce veterans and Gold Star families will be eligible for free admission to National Parks and Monuments, starting on November 11th — Veterans Day. David Bernhardt, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, says his great uncle was killed when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, so his grandfather was part of a Gold Star family.

“So many American families have been impacted throughout our history in defending freedom,” he said. Disabled veterans have been eligible for free admission to National Parks. Bernhardt’s new order extends that to all veterans, as well as the immediate family members of soldiers who die in the line of duty. Key members of congress have indicated a bill will be passed to make this new administrative policy a federal law.

“We looked at it from an economic perspective. We think the economics are very, very manageable based on current utilization, ” Bernhardt says, “but it realy depends on how many people come to our parks on an annual basis and that visitation this year is very, very high, so we hope people get out and utilitize it.”

There are no National Parks in Iowa, but there’s a national monument and a wildlife area in Iowa under federal control, however neither charges entrance fees. The Effigy Mounds National Monument is in northeast Iowa, near Harpers Ferry. The Union Slough (SLEW) National Wildlife Refuge is in north central Iowa, near Titonka.

(Iowa News Service) IOWA CITY, Iowa — More than 4,000 medical professionals from across the country are demanding policy action on climate change. The coalition includes more than a dozen doctors and nurses from Iowa, who say the effects are visible in the patients they serve. They have signed a letter asking their patients to get behind political candidates willing to consider the issue. John Macatee, a retired doctor from Iowa City who practiced family medicine, said there are concerns within the medical community about climate change resulting in poorer health outcomes. In Iowa, he said, there’s a ripple effect within agriculture. “There’s ever increasing severity of weather changes causing flooding, which is decreasing crop yields, and depression and suicide,” he said.

In a 2019 report from the Iowa Policy Project, the authors predicted that the Midwest will see the biggest spike in premature deaths related to rising temperatures linked to climate change. While polls show more people, including younger conservatives, acknowledging the impact of a warming climate. many candidates still express support for the oil industry.  In asking patients to seek out politicians who support action on climate change, Macatee said it isn’t about partisanship. He called this a “human” issue. “Just like COVID, it’s affecting us all,” he said, “whether we’re Republicans or Democrats or Independents.”

One of the groups in the coalition is the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. Some of the key demands include leaders who prioritize renewable energy over fossil fuels, and those who pay close attention to the science and medical communities. The letter is online at medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org, and the Iowa climate report is at iowapolicyproject.org.

Here’s a reminder, that on Saturday October 31st, 400 USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes will be given away at the Cass County Community Center from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM, or as supplies last. There is no requirement to come in person to receive food. Community members are asked to slow the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding carpooling to this event with people from outside their household.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh says “If you know someone who would benefit from a little extra food, simply ask for an extra box to share. We really appreciate folks looking out for each other right now—while taking precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Anyone in need is welcome to visit the drive-through food box pick-up, and no documentation or proof of need is required. Boxes will be given away at no cost. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome.

The USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes contain 20 pounds of food: 10 pounds of produce, 5 pounds of pre-cooked meat, and 5 pounds of dairy products, and come with a gallon of milk.Those picking up food boxes at the Community Center are asked to follow signage and volunteer directions to help the event run smoothly. Please don’t begin lining up before 10 AM.

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Cass County Farmers to Families Food Box Giveaway

What: Drive-through food distribution. Boxes of 10 lbs.produce, 5 lbs.meat, 5 lbs. dairy, and a gallon of milk.

Where: Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th Street, Atlantic, 50022)

When: Saturday 10/31/20 Halloween 11 AM -2 PM (or as supplies last)

Who: Anyone in need is welcome.No documentation required.Cost: No cost!

Questions:Contact Brigham Hoegh, Cass County Wellness Coordinator, (712)249-5870, bhoegh@iastate.eduFor more information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – The Pottawattamie County Open Burning Ban that was initiated in September has been lifted as of 11:00 a.m. today. Pott. County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed says “With the observance of light precipitation in the past week, the observed snowfall accumulations, and fall harvest estimated at 95% completion throughout the county, fire officials have determined a continuing burn ban is no longer needed on a countywide basis.”

Officials encourage all residents to continue to use caution when conducting open burns and recreational fires. Always be aware of the daily conditions, your surroundings, never leave a fire
unattended, and always have an emergency plan. As drought conditions are forecast to persist into 2021, everyone needs to remain keenly aware of their environmental conditions prior to conducting any open burn.

• KJAN, Atlantic  .8″
• Massena  1.8″
• Corning  1.2″
• Audubon  .5″
• Guthrie Center  1″
• Underwood  1″
• Red Oak  .4″
• Clarinda  1″
• Shenandoah  2″

OLLIE, Iowa — The DNR Law Enforcement Bureau is investigating a fatal fall from a treestand. The incident occurred in rural Ollie in Keokuk County on Thursday, October 22nd. Authorities say 76-year-old Raymond Byers was reported missing after he did not return home from hunting during Early Muzzleloader Season on his property.

The Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office and the local fire and rescue teams found Byers deceased. Investigators believe Byers fell from a treestand he was using to hunt.

The DNR continues to investigate the fall and an autopsy will be performed at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny. The DNR reminds hunters of the safety tips of using treestands:

• Always properly wear a full body harness/fall restraint device.
• Maintain three points of contact when you are climbing in and out of an elevated stand.
• Always use a haul line to raise up and lower equipment to and from the elevated stand.
• Stands should not be left up year round and prior to season you always want to check straps, buckles, climbing steps, etc. for wear and tear prior to set up and use.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman reports the Burn Ban in his county which was implemented on Sept. 28th, was lifted this (Friday) morning. Hamman says overall grassland and cropland conditions have improved due to recent precipitation, and harvested crops have reduced the risk for large and uncontrollable fires. Caution is still urged, however, if you plan to burn.

As always, please contact the Montgomery County Communications Center at 712-623-5107, if you plan to burn. Doing so will alleviate any unnecessary emergency responses, and allow for a point of contact, should an incident take place.