(Radio Iowa) — Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar visited flooded areas of southwest and northwest Iowa this weekend, emphasizing the need to improve flood protection measures and make “climate smart” infrastructure choices. Klobuchar has unveiled a TRILLION dollar plan to improve the nation’s infrastructure. It includes expanding rural broadband service and Klobuchar went to the Farmer Mutual Telephone Company office in Stanton to meet with local officials and business owners. “Kids that grow up in rural Iowa — and southwest Iowa — should be able to live here,” Klobuchar said. “And the only way you can do that these days is if you have the internet.”

Klobuchar made the same point Saturday during an appearance at the “Heartland Forum” in Storm Lake. Klobuchar says there are a host of issues Democrats can and should address that are important to rural America. “There is rural housing. There is rural child caare and there is, of course, this connectivity and broadband, then this issue of monopolies and anti-trust,” Klobuchar said. “When you talk to people who live in the rural areas, they’ll often mention the Farm Bill, but they’ll talk about a whole lot of other things.”

Klobuchar proposes repealing some Trump-era tax cuts to invest in critical infrastructure. She says Americans — no matter where they live — care about upgrades to municipal water supplies and inland waterways as well as mass transit and rural broadband. “I think people want to be able to get out of traffic jams. I think a lot of people would like to work at home more, no matter where they live,” Klobuchar said. “I think that people want to get on subways that aren’t broken down and it’s just a fundamental bread-and-butter issue.”

Three other presidential candidates — Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, former Maryland Congressman John Delaney and former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro — also appeared at the ag-issues forum in Storm Lake Saturday.

(Radio Iowa) — The former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture says he was in disbelief when he surveyed flood damage in southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri. “One of those common questions is: ‘Is it as bad as it looks?’ And I’d say: ‘It’s worse than it looks in pictures.’ Even the pictures I took from an airplane doesn’t look like it feels when you look out the window of an airplane and every place you look is water.”

Bill Northey — now an Undersecretary in the U-S-D-A — spoke with producers at a town hall meeting in Malvern late Friday afternoon. Northey fielded a number of questions from area farmers on how they could recover from the second major flood to hit the region in a decade. While saying the federal government can’t cover all the losses, Northey says there are U-S-D-A programs to soften the blow — like the Emergency Conservation Program. It will pay for three-quarters of the cost of repairing fences and moving sand and silt off fields. “A producer still has to come up with 25 percent of something a month ago they didn’t think they were going to have to do and they probably won’t get all their acres back either. When you move sand around, it certainly doesn’t get as productive as it was before the storm,” Northey said, “so these producers are in a really challenging situation.”

Northey also cites the federal crop insurance program’s coverage of prevented planting acres that could help farmers recoup a portion of lost revenue. “It’s a limited amount of payment compared to what full coverage would be or what a full crop would be definitely,” Northey said. “But it’s something that kind of pays for a little bit of the cost of the land value of that farm.” Northey says all the stored grain in bins that’s been ruined by flooding will have a big impact on the farm economy. In most cases, that grain is uninsured. “We don’t have a program right now that addresses that,” Northey said. “I think that’s one of the things that congress is going to look at.”

The U-S-D-A does have a program that pays farmers for livestock lost during a natural disaster.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the Army Corps of Engineers should give flood control a higher priority in its management plan for the Missouri River. Grassley spoke with a crowd of farmers and others from the agriculture industry at a town hall in Malvern late Friday afternoon. “The environmental issues worry more about animals than you do people. I think people ought to be the prime concern of the federal government,” Grassley said and the crowd applauded.

Grassley says the dams along with Missouri River were funded by a 1944 federal law called the Flood Control Act.  “Now you’ve got 10 other things they take into consideration and flooding — I don’t even know whether it’s the primary one,” Grassley said. “…We spent three years after the 2011 flood (addressing Army Corps-related issues) and it looks like we accomplished nothing.”

Grassley spent Friday touring flood damage in southwest Iowa with USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar expressed support Saturday for strengthening antitrust laws and enforcement to break up big agriculture monopolies. “You’ve got these giant corporations that are making bigger and bigger profits … and they’re putting the squeeze on family farms and small farms,” Warren said at the Heartland Forum, which was focused on rural issues.

The U.S. senator from Massachusetts called for breaking up some of the biggest farming corporations “so that they not only do not have that kind of economic power, so that they’re wiping out competition, so they’re taking all the profits for themselves … but also so that they don’t have that kind of political power.”

While supporting an antitrust approach, Klobuchar, a senator and Minnesota Democrat, also proposed putting a fee on corporate mergers to help investigate noncompetitive practices. “If we stifle competition through monopolies, we’re not just going to bring up the prices for consumers, we’re going to stifle entrepreneurship,” she said.

Targeting monopolies was a key part of the agriculture policy Warren rolled out this week, which included a handful of proposals aimed at helping family farmers compete in a market increasingly saturated by major corporations. Klobuchar and former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, another White House hopeful who attended the forum, also rolled out rural-focused policies this week.

Klobuchar announced a $1 trillion infrastructure plan that would help expand access to rural broadband and strengthen roads and bridges. Delaney offered a comprehensive rural plan that included proposals to strengthen family farmers and rural infrastructure. Other White House contenders at the forum were former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, who is considering launching a bid.

The attention on agricultural communities and issues is the result of a recognition that Democrats need to do more to win over rural voters, especially in places like Iowa. The state has long been a presidential battleground, but Iowa has trended more solidly Republican over the past two election cycles, a troubling sign for Democrats seeking to oust President Donald Trump.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — In the wake of disastrous flooding in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa earlier this month, officials have created an on-demand webinar to help people deal with the serious health dangers that remain after major flooding.

The Central States Center of Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health collaborated with the AgriSafe Network to create the webinar.

Major safety concerns include chemicals released from barns, homes and other on-farm sources and businesses; contaminated well water; human and animal communicable diseases; and mold.

More farm and ranch flood-related resources are available on the Central States Center website.

PEOSTA, Iowa (AP) — State environment officials say a fish kill in northeastern Iowa was caused by farm manure runoff. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says in a news release that it is investigating the Dubuque County fish kill near Peosta. Investigators say more than 200 fish were killed by the runoff, which they traced to Lawler Dairy farm in Peosta.

The agency says the farm applied liquid manure to a nearby field, and melting snow and rain caused it to run off into an unnamed creek that leads to the Little Maquoketa River.

Officials say charges are pending against the dairy.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Several Democratic presidential candidates will make their case to Iowa farmers today (Saturday) — part of a broader effort to win over rural voters who have drifted to Republicans in recent years. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota are among the White House hopefuls who will attend the Heartland Forum in Storm Lake. They’re likely to tout proposals they released this week aimed at helping rural communities.

The attention on agricultural communities and issues is the result of a recognition that Democrats need to do more to win over rural voters, especially in places like Iowa. The state has long been a presidential battleground that swung between Democrats and Republicans. But Iowa has trended more solidly Republican over the past two election cycles, a troubling warning sign for Democrats seeking to oust President Donald Trump.

In the early days of the 2020 Democratic primary, many candidates are focusing on building that connection. Warren rolled out an extensive agriculture policy this week that would help family farmers by breaking up big agriculture monopolies. Klobuchar announced a $1 trillion infrastructure policy that she spoke about while surveying flooding damage in Iowa this weekend. And former Rep. John Delaney rolled out his own policy aimed at revitalizing rural America, which includes a focus on farming and rural infrastructure.

Several contenders, including former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, have campaigned in parts of rural Iowa that haven’t seen much Democratic activity in years. Former Rep. John Delaney is the only Democratic candidate so far to visit all 99 of Iowa’s counties.
A key part of what Democrats need to do to win back rural America, according to Iowa state Rep. Mary Gaskill — is to simply show up.

Gaskill is the only Democratic lawmaker in her area, and represents a red county that went for Trump by more than 20 points in 2016 — but one that Barack Obama won by nearly 12 points in 2012. Now, at least two candidates — Sens. Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand — have campaigned there, a development Gaskill welcomes. O’Rourke won’t attend today’s forum. But his first Iowa swing as a presidential candidate included stops in small towns that swung from Democrats to Republicans in 2016.

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand recently visited the same swath of eastern Iowa, pitching herself to voters as a candidate who could defeat Trump because she’s won in red areas of New York. She, too, didn’t shy away from embracing progressive policies like gun control, universal health care and the Green New Deal, and she touted her work on the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the policy prohibiting gays from serving openly in the military, everywhere she went.

Neither Gillibrand nor O’Rourke won everyone over. Tom Courtney, the Des Moines County Democratic Party chairman, hosted an event for both candidates and said he wasn’t impressed by their message. The rural forum will offer candidates the opportunity to discuss policies that will have a more direct impact on rural voters and farmers — and explain how some of their more sweeping proposals, like the Green New Deal, would help at the local level.

(Courtesy Atlantic FFA reporter Craig Alan Becker) — The Atlantic FFA Banquet was held on Monday, March 25 at the Atlantic High School. 160 members and guests were present for the event, which started with the opening ceremonies, led by the 2018-2019 chapter officers. This year the officers include President Tyler Comes, Vice President Nathan Behrends, Secretary Katie York, Treasurer Zade Nikaleson, Sentinel Adriana Mendez, Reporter Tate DenBeste, and Student Advisor Corri Pelzer.

2018-19 Officers
Left to Right
Adriana Mendez, Katie York, Corri Pelzer
Left to Right
Zade Niklasen, Nathan Behrends, Tyler Comes, Tate Den Beste

The opening ceremonies was followed by a welcome to members and guests, and was given by President Tyler Comes. A reflection was then said by Nathan Behrends. Following the reflection, dinner was held for members and guests alike. Beef brisket was donated as the main dish by the Comes family, and HyVee donated disposable plates and silverware. Members were asked to bring a side dish or dessert as well.

At the conclusion of dinner, two guest speakers spoke to the audience. The first was Chad Comes, the father of FFA President Tyler Comes. Mr. Comes talked about the importance of remembering the basics in life, and how we sometimes have to pull away from technology to do so. “We’re all guilty about looking at our screens too much, including me. But it’s good to remember the basics. It’s the basic things that we can’t forget.” The next speaker was Atlantic FFA Alumni Representative, Beth Irlbeck. Irlbeck talked about the many possibilities for people to get involved with the Alumni organization. “There are many opportunities to get involved. Some examples include helping with fundraisers, driving FFA members to events when needed, and just finding ways how to help benefit our chapter.” Katie York gave the secretary’s report. And the treasurer’s report was given by Zade Niklasen. The balance on hand stated was $8,870.19.

Following the 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 Katie York, Tyler Comes, and Nathan Behrends. The next award was the Academic Achievement Award. This 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 throughout all those years. Those who received the Academic Achievement Award included Nathan Behrends, Connor Pellett, Alana Welter, Sadie Welter, Ashley Wendt, Katie York, Zade Niklasen, and Halsey Bailey.

10,000 pts Club
Nathan Behrends, Katie York, Tyler Comes

After the Academic Achievement Award came the Star Greenhand, Star Ag Placement, Star Ag Business, 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. This award was given to Bryan York. The next award, Star Ag Placement, is an award is given to a member that has done an exceptional job in their employment, whether that be in or out of agriculture. This award was received by Katie York. Next came the Star Ag Business Award, which was given to Nathan Behrends. Nathan was given this award for his outstanding work at his family farm operation. Following the Star Ag Business Award, Tyler Comes was awarded the Star of Ag Production. This award is given to a member who does an outstanding job in their work of agriculture production, while working on their own operation.

This year, the new officers for the 2019-2020 term elected four members to receive the Atlantic FFA Leadership Award, which is given in appreciation to those who have shown leadership through their years in FFA. These four members who received the award include Katie York, Zade Niklasen, Nathan Behrends, and Tyler Comes. Officers also elected four families to receive the Honorary Chapter Farmer award, which is given to families who have played a large role in helping the Atlantic FFA chapter and the activities they do. Those that accepted this award include Kurt and Michelle Behrends, Dave and Kristi York, and the family of Tresa and Chad Comes.

To finish the award recognitions, Tyler Comes and Taylor McCreedy were recognized for their state proficiency awards. These proficiency awards are given to members who have an outstanding Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) project. Tyler Comes placed 5th in the state in his proficiency award area of beef entrepreneurship, and Taylor McCreedy placed 2nd in her proficiency award in equine science. After awards were given to members, Katie York talked about her involvement in the Iowa FFA Choir and Iowa FFA Band. She explained how “she has done this the past three years” and has noticed how more people from Atlantic have begun to do it. “At first, I was the only one from Atlantic who took part in the event,” she said. “But now there are several kids who go, and I think it is a great opportunity to get involved in FFA.” York will be traveling to the Iowa FFA State Convention this April in order to be involved in both the choir and band groups.

After Katie talked about the FFA Chorus and Band, degrees were given out to members. This year, 9 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 12 members. Next came 15 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 2019-2020 year, the new officers include the following: Adriana Mendez as President, Carli Henderson as Vice President, Tate DenBeste as Secretary, Corri Pelzer as Treasurer, Taylor McCreedy as Sentinel, Craig Alan Becker as Reporter, and Alyssa Derby as Student Advisor.

(Radio Iowa) — Producers from other parts of Iowa are coming to the aid of those in flood-stricken areas. Three semis from a group of Story County cattlemen delivered approximately 30 round bales of alfalfa and 72 square bales of cornstalks to a farm near Malvern this (Thursday) morning. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig was on a tour of the area and says the donations to farmers impacted by the Missouri River flooding is an example of “Iowans helping Iowans.”

“We knew and heard that there was a need down here in Mills County and beyond for some feed. We know that that need is great and so we just wanted to highlight the fact that this all happens because cattlemen want to help cattlemen, and Iowans helping Iowans and that is a great story.” Naig hopes the donations will continue.

“This is not something that will be solved tomorrow,” Naig says, “this is a need that will continue on for months. And so, we just ask people to be mindful of that and keep that in mind, and continue to look for ways to assist those who have been impacted.” Naig says state officials will demand answers from the U-S Army Corps of Engineers on why southwest Iowa is experiencing the second major flooding event along the Missouri River within a decade. Naig also warns that producers should be prepared for the long haul.

“We’re just at the end of March here. We still have some snowmelt up north. Our flooding is not entirely done this year,” Naig says. “Whether it’s here or other parts of the state — folks need to be vigilant on what is happening and take precautions if they need to.”

Plans called for Naig to tour flooded areas in and around Hamburg this afternoon. U-S-D-A Undersecretary Bill Northey and Iowa Senator Charles Grassley are expected to meet with officials in Hamburg and Glenwood Friday morning, then conduct a town hall meeting at the Mills County Fairgrounds in Malvern Friday afternoon at 1:30 p-m.

(Radio Iowa) — A group of state and federal officials will be in southwest Iowa this (Thursday) afternoon and Friday to meet with farmers and discuss flood recovery. State Representative David Sieck, a farmer from Glenwood, has lived along the Missouri River his whole life. “I was born in ’57, but my grandpa showed me a fence line marker along the railroad that said the water got to the top of that in ’52, so basically I’ve experienced a lot of flooding in my life,” he says. “Nothing to the extent that we have had in the last 10 days.”

Sieck rushed back to his farm from Des Moines after his son warned the water was going to swamp their fields.  “It was like wham, this thing started happening so fast that nobody could keep up,” Sieck says. “…My brother and I lost a little over 6000 bushels of corn…with the breaches that were occurring out on the river and the over-topping, the water just came in really, really fast.”

Sieck warns farmers in the area may have THREE lost growing seasons, but there is a sliver of good news. Some grain stored in bins on farms in the areas is being scooped out. “So that will happen quick because there’s more rain coming,” Sieck says, “especially if the bins are burst open.”  Sieck says the problems on his farm are “insignificant” compared to the devastation he’s seen elsewhere. Former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey — now a top U-S-D-A official — and Iowa Ag Secretary will be at a Farm Service Agency office in Sidney this (Thursday) afternoon.