(Radio Iowa) — The 2020 Farm Progress Show will go on in Boone from September 1st through the 3rd, with a few modifications due to the pandemic. The annual outdoor event alternates between Boone and Decatur, Illinois. It regularly attracts up to 150-thousand visitors. Farm Progress Show organizers say while state fairs have canceled due to the loss of money-making attractions, the Farm Progress show is a business event that gives farmers a chance to see equipment up close.

According to a news release, there will be accommodations due to the pandemic like hand sanitizer stations, plus streets set up on the field in Boone will be one-way, for better physical distancing. There’s no mention of staggered or limited admission, but there is a reference to new “All Secure” standards which suggest face masks may be recommended and handshakes discouraged.

Healthy Cass County has been encouraging farmers and gardeners to grow a little more food this year to share with others. “Grow Another Row, Cass County!” is a campaign to encourage residents to grow and share more food in 2020. This week the group is releasing produce drop-off and pick-up schedules. “We worked to get sites across the county,” comments
Master Gardener LaVon Eblen.

Produce Drop-off Schedule (where you can share produce with others):
Through September 2020

Anita: 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month: Anita Food Pantry 208 Chestnut St. (pre-bagged produce requested) contact: Tracey Lett (712)249-4996

Atlantic:

• Monday: Cass County Community Center, 805 W 10th St. 10:30 AM-12:30 PM back
  entrance. Contact: Brigham Hoegh (712)249-5870
• Tuesday: New Life Church, 600 Pine St. 8-10 AM
• Thursday: Atlantic Food Pantry 19 W. 4th St. (pre-bagged produce requested) Contact:
  (712)243-1820
• Saturday: American Legion Memorial Building, 201 Poplar St. 3-5 PM

Cumberland: Monday-Thursday: Cumberland City Hall, 216 Main St., 8AM-4PM

Griswold: contact: Donna Reimers (712)789-0236

• 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month The Lord’s Cupboard (Methodist Church) 100 Cass St. (pre-bagged produce requested). 10-11 AM
• 1st, 3rd, 5th Tuesdays Faith Lutheran Church, 707 Adair St. 8AM-Noon

Lewis: Thursday: 3HO, 201 1st Lewis St. 10 AM- 3PM

Marne: Every day Barb Fisher’s house (401 Washington St., Marne), 8AM-8PM

Wiota: Wednesday: Bonnie William’s house (309 Allen St.), 8AM-Noon

Produce Pick-up Schedule (where you can find free produce, depending on availability):
Please only take what you need, and be sure to wash produce before eating.

Atlantic:

• Tuesday: New Life Church, 600 Pine St. 10:30 AM- 12:30 PM
• Saturday: American Legion Memorial Building, 201 Poplar St. 5-7 PM

Cumberland: Monday-Thursday: Cumberland City Hall, 216 Main St., 8AM-4PM

Griswold: contact: Donna Reimers (712)789-0236

• 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month: Methodist Church, 100 Cass St. 2 PM- 5:30 PM
• 1st, 3rd, 5th Tuesdays: Faith Lutheran Church, 707 Adair St. Noon- 5:30 PM

Lewis: Thursday: 3HO, 201 1st Lewis St. 10 AM- 3 PM

Marne: Every day Barb Fisher’s house (401 Washington St., Marne), 8 AM -8 PM

Wiota: Wednesday: Bonnie William’s house (309 Allen St.), Noon- 8 PM

For more information on the program and to register for the newsletter, visit
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/content/grow-another-row-cass-county.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the
health and well-being of Cass County residents. Follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook
@HealthyCassCounty (https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCassCounty/). Reach out to Cass
County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870
more information.

The Iowa Department of Public Health announced today that it has received the first reported case of neuroinvasive West Nile Virus this season. The case was confirmed by the State Hygienic Laboratory and is an adult (18 to 40 years old) from Polk County.

About 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and vomiting. Less than one percent of people infected become seriously ill and rarely, someone dies.

In addition, IDPH has received its first ever report of Heartland virus. The individual is an older adult (61 to 80 years old) in Appanoose County. Heartland virus is a Phlebovirus that is thought to be transmitted by the Lone Star tick and was first discovered in 2009 in Missouri. Since then, cases have expanded across the Midwestern and southern United States. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, anorexia, nausea and diarrhea and treatment is supportive care.

“These reports are an important reminder that as Iowans take advantage of outdoor activities, they should take precautions to prevent tick and mosquito bites,” said IDPH Deputy State Epidemiologist and Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Ann Garvey.

The best way to prevent tick and mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile and Heartland viruses is to:

• Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks whenever possible outdoors.
• Eliminate standing water around the home because that’s where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes. Change water in bird baths every three to four days.
• Stay on trails when walking or hiking and avoid high grass.
• After each day spent in tick-infested areas, check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks. Promptly remove any attached tick.

For more information about West Nile virus, visit https://www.idph.iowa.gov/cade/vectorborne-illness.

For more information about Heartland virus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/heartland-virus/index.html