Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer, Deere & Company reports a rare operating loss in the first quarter. The Moline, Illinois-based ag and construction equipment manufacturer is reporting a loss of more than $535 million, or $1.66 per share. That compares with a net profit of $199 million for the first quarter last year. This was the first loss Deere has experienced since the fourth quarter of 2009. But rather than an operating loss, Deere says it’s a result of initial accounting adjustments related to the U.S. tax reform legislation.

Deere chairman and CEO Samuel R. Allen says in line with strengthening conditions, the company has raised its sales and adjusted-earnings forecasts for 2018. Deere’s largest North American manufacturing complex is located in Waterloo. This is the first quarterly report since Deere bought the Germany-based Wirtgen Group, which makes road construction equipment.

(Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Conservation Board has cancelled Saturday’s Sweethearts Snowshoe Hike, due to the lack of snow. The Sweethearts Snowshoe Hike was to be held at the Pellett Memorial Woods outside of Atlantic, 7-p.m. Saturday, February 17^th..  The Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend will still take place, however.

It’s a wonderful family program for bird watchers of all ages and is free of charge. All you need is basic knowledge of bird identification! It is not required that you record every species you see, only those that can be properly identified. To participate in the bird count go to the website: http://gbbc.birdcount.org/ and follow the instructions. Please help the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon Society by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count. The bird count is February 16-19^th 2018!!!!

The USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Fremont & Mills Counties, and Pheasants Forever (PF) are hosting a workshop for the public about creating habitat for monarchs and pollinators. This workshop is free and open to the public. Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and monarchs, have been experiencing significant population declines in recent years. Why should we be concerned? Over 75% of all flowering plants in the world require a pollinator to reproduce. That means one out of every three bites of food we eat is because of pollinators. Additionally, pollinator services are very important for crops like alfalfa and soybeans.

A light meal will be served at 6:30 PM with a presentation to follow starting at 7:00 PM. Topics that will be covered include the importance of monarchs and pollinators and their habitat requirements. We will then discuss how to create and maintain pollinator habitat and USDA, state and local cost-share programs available for creating this type of habitat. There will be time for Q & A at the end of the presentation.

Workshop Time and Location:

Tuesday, February 20, 6:30 pm

\Fremont County Extension and Outreach

610 Clay St, Sidney

Call (712) 374-2351 to RSVP

Wednesday, February 21, 6:30 pm

Mills County Extension and Outreach

61321 315th St, Malvern

Call (712) 624-8616 to RSVP

Thursday, March 1, 6:00 pm

Montgomery County Extension and Outreach

400 Bridge Street, Suite #2 Red Oak, IA 51566

Call (712) 623-2592 to RSVP

w/Kate Olson.

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Des Moines – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the public library at 707 Iowa Ave., in Onawa, as a location for the wildlife rules public meeting on February 21. The meeting provides a setting for the DNR to listen to the public’s thoughts on hunting and trapping regulations for this fall. The 19 meeting sites include Altoona, Atlantic, Boone, Burlington, Calmar, Chariton, Council Bluffs, Creston, DeWitt, Knoxville, Lake View, Onawa, Ottumwa, Peosta, Sheldon, Solon, Spencer, Tripoli and Ventura. Complete locations are available online at www.iowadnr.gov

These meetings are part of the process for making rules in state government. The meeting is from 6 to 9 p.m. “Any rule changes must be discussed with Iowa’s citizens who might be impacted by the changes before the rule changes are proposed. The process helps ensure that rule changes serve the public’s wishes and do not impact Iowa’s economy,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the wildlife bureau. At each meeting DNR staff will facilitate a discussion about what went well last fall, what didn’t, and what changes hunters and trappers would like to see for this fall.

These discussions along with the data that the wildlife bureau collects on harvest and population numbers will be used to develop recommendations for any rule changes. Any changes must be approved by the Natural Resource Commission and then go back to the public for further comment before taking effect next fall. Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

The Iowa DNR is seeking public comment on proposed rules that will create two new general permits. The permits cover a variety of wastewater discharges to Iowa soils and streams. The DNR will hold three public hearings across the state in March, including one in Harlan. The session will take place Thursday, March 8th, beginning at 4-p.m., in the Harlan Public Library. DNR staff will present the latest information about proposed new requirements and take comments orally or in writing.

DNR plans to issue two new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits known as General Permit #8 (GP8) and General Permit #9 (GP9). GP8 allows for discharges of hydrostatic test water (water used to test the integrity of a pipe or tank), underground storage tank ballast water (water used to weight a tank to facilitate underground installation), and water associated with installation, repair, and replacement of potable water lines. GP9 allows for discharges from dewatering associated with construction and small residential geothermal heating and cooling systems.

The DNR is proposing to include eligibility criteria and Best Management Practices. These will ensure that discharges will comply with water quality standards. Most permittees will be automatically authorized to discharge. Only a few higher-risk dischargers will need to submit a Notice of Intent. There is no fee for GP8 or GP9.

People may also file written comments on the proposed rulemaking on or before midnight on March 19th. Written comments or questions regarding the proposed rulemaking should be directed to Wendy Hieb, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, NPDES Section, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309-0034; via fax at 515-725-8202; or via email at wendy.hieb@dnr.iowa.gov.

Quad Cities-based Deere & Company is being named one of the world’s most ethical companies. The designation comes from the Ethisphere Institute. It annually ranks companies that achieve highly ethical business practices. Deere is one of only a dozen companies to have earned the recognition for all 12 years the institute has done the research. This year, 135 honorees in 23 countries and 57 industries were recognized. Deere chairman and CEO Sam Allen says the company has an unwavering commitment to ethical behavior and doing the right things in the right way. Deere is Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer.

(Radio Iowa)

Organizers for the annual “Produce in the Park,” in Atlantic, say planning for the 2018 Produce farmers market will be held Thursday, February 15th. The meeting will be held at The Depot Atlantic Chamber Office beginning at 2:00 pm. This will be the fifth year for the event being held once a week through the summer months in Atlantic City Park.

Growers of veggies, fruits, herbs, eggs, meat and other locally produced food are invited to attend. Artists and crafts persons are invited. A vendor may be anyone who grows or makes products they will be selling. Others who are interested in the community event are also encouraged to attend. The opening and closing dates will be decided. The contract for vendors and fees for 2018 will be reviewed. Everyone attending the meeting has input for decisions about dates, fee and more.

Contact Susan Retz, Emily Krengel, or LaVon Eblen for more information. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce also can provide information.

The Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development invites you to attend the 27th Annual meeting of the Wallace Foundation, on Tuesday, March 6th, at the Learning Center located at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis.

The program will begin at 9:30 AM. Featured speakers are Steve Johnson, ISU Farm Management Specialist speaking on ”Riding the Ag Cycles” and Dave Swenson, ISU Economist speaking on “An Overview of Iowa’s Economy and the Growth Challenges Rural Areas Face.”

A complimentary lunch will be served at 11:30-a.m., followed by the annual business meeting at 12:45-p.m.

The Armstrong Research Farm is located 12 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, half a mile south on 525th Street, and a half mile east on Hitchcock Avenue; or 13 miles east of Oakland on Highway 6, half a mile south on 525th Street, and half a mile east on Hitchcock Avenue.

For more information contact the Wallace Foundation at 712-769-2650 or raelynb@iastate.edu.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced today (Friday) it has received a $100,000 Farm to School Support Services Grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to host an Iowa Local Food Day on October 11, 2018, as part of National Farm to School month. Mike Naig, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture said “We continue to see growing interest from both the schools and the farmers in incorporating locally grown produce in school meals. We are excited to get this additional funding to help scale-up efforts focused on increasing the amount of locally grown food served in school breakfasts and lunches. This food day celebration will help prepare growers to sell to schools and assist schools in accessing locally grown items.”

With the grant funding, the Department is working to: build a support network for schools interested in using local foods; aid food service directors in making local procurements; work with growers interested in selling produce to schools; partner with Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP) as a starting point for farmers to work with schools; and allow Farm to School activities to expand beyond fruits and vegetables.

The Department is also helping to host the 2018 Iowa Farm to School Conference on June 29th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.  Conference attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas, resources and successes to help grow the farm to school and farm to early care and education movement in Iowa.

Farmers or schools interested in participating in Farm to School efforts can contact Tammy Stotts with the Department at tammy.stotts@iowaagriculture.gov.