(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Thursday, said the DNR ordered Vision Atlantic, Inc., to pay an $8,000 administrative penalty associated with illegal discharges into state waters. The Consent Order required Vision Atlantic to cease all illegal discharges and to comply with all conditions of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. The penalty was paid on Sept. 24th.  (Read details about the Administrative Consent Order here: 2025WW19

A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party.

The DNR says its staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. The approach is very effective, they noted. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions.

Find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions

(A report from the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – A survey of the commercial horticulture food crops industry in Iowa showed direct specialty crop sales of more than $79 million in 2022 and even higher figures of economic output attributable to the industry.  The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced the results of the 2023 survey, Wednesday, and said it shows the local produce industry is “diverse, growing, and making a significant contribution to Iowa’s economy and agricultural identity.” The survey was sent to Iowa specialty crop producers who grow edible crops like vegetables, fruits, berries, nuts, honey, maple syrup, herbs, mushrooms and pumpkins.

According to a news release from IDALS, this is the first “comprehensive look” at the industry since 2015.  More than 850 specialty farmers participated in the survey, which found that a total of 11,650 acres of specialty crops were grown in 2023.  Sales from these farms had a statewide economic output of $66.5 million in 2023 and supported $29.9 million in labor.  Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the survey “confirms the economic strength of specialty crop producers.” Most of those farms are small, grow multiple products and sell directly to consumers. These farmers skew young with nearly 50% of respondents below the age of 35. The survey found the average age of Iowa specialty crop producers was 57.2 years, which is lower than the national average, 58.1 years, of producers in the U.S. according to the latest Census of Agriculture.

The majority of specialty farm producers responded that they also work-off farm jobs and 37% responded they work full-time jobs off the farm in addition to running the farm. The average farm size for these edible crops was 7.8 acres, though many farms are quite a bit smaller considering the median farm size was just 2.8 acres. The survey also found that just 4% of farms had crop insurance.  From 1989 to 2000, the number of specialty farms in Iowa declined from 1,400 farms to 938 farms, according to the survey results. The industry has since rebounded, with 1,680 farms counted in 2023. The results show the total number of sales of edible specialty crops increased by 73% from 2012 to 2022, with inflation-adjusted figures. The survey results show direct edible specialty crop sales amounted to $79 million in 2022.

Locally grown produce. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

In addition to growing on average 3.8 distinct specialty crops, farmers also diversify their operations with on-farm activities. Nearly 60% of surveyed farms participate in some form of agritourism, which they reported generated $6.6 million in income. Farmers also increase their sales with value-added products, or products that have been processed in some way, like canned vegetables or wine. The survey results show edible specialty crop farms sold an estimated $11.3 million in value-added products in 2023. Naig said he believes the Iowa edible specialty crop industry will continue to grow, especially with the expansion of the department’s marketing service, Choose Iowa. Naig said these farmers also help connect Iowans to their food sources.

“With the continued expansion of the Choose Iowa program, I believe this sector is well-positioned for even greater growth in the years ahead,” Naig said. “Horticulture food crops bring opportunities not just for established farms but also for beginning farmers who are shaping the future of our industry.”

Honey, peppers, apples, tomatoes and lettuce were the top edible specialty crops grown in Iowa. According to survey results, the number of honey producers in the state has “dramatically increased” as there were fewer than 200 producers in 1997 and there were 1,229 in 2022. The other top crops had between 400 and 550 producers each in 2022. Producers who sold through Community Supported Agriculture programs or at farmers markets were more likely to grow a higher variety of crops.

According to the release from IDALS, the report, which was produced primarily by the department and staff from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will help lawmakers and department leaders to “better support specialty crop farmers and help them overcome challenges, seize new opportunities, and sustain growth.”

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Eighteen lakes across Iowa are gearing up to receive trout this fall. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says they will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months. The fall community trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A small hook with a night crawler or corn under a small bobber or small simple spinners such as a panther martin or Mepps is all you need to get in on the fun.

Bringing trout to cities and towns offers a “close to home” option for Iowans who might not travel to northeast Iowa to discover trout fishing. A family-friendly event is often paired with the stocking to help anglers have success and fun while fishing. Check the Iowa DNR Community Trout Stocking Schedule website to see which lakes are having events.

The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to keep their own limit.

2025 Fall Community Trout Stocking Schedule:

Oct. 23, Ottumwa Park Pond, Ottumwa, 11 a.m.

Oct. 24, Prairie Park Fishery, Cedar Rapids, 10 a.m.

Oct. 24, Liberty Centre Pond, North Liberty, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 25, East Lake Park Pond, Mount Pleasant, 10 a.m.

Oct. 25, Wilson Lake, Donnellson, Noon

Oct. 25, Lake of the Hills, Davenport, 10 a.m.

Oct. 27, Triumph Park East & West, Waukee, Noon

Oct. 27, Terra Lake, Johnston, Noon

Oct. 29, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, 3 p.m.

Oct. 29, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, Noon

Oct. 29, Sand Lake, Marshalltown, Noon

Oct. 30, North Prairie Lake, Cedar Falls, 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 30, Heritage Pond, Dubuque, 11 a.m.

Oct. 31, Lake Petocka, Bondurant, Noon

Nov. 1, Stolley Pond, Spencer, 1 p.m.

Nov. 3, Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake, Ames, Noon

Nov. 3, Bacon Creek, Sioux City, 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 26, Blue Pit, Mason City, 11 a.m.

Find more information about trout fishing in community lakes on the DNR trout fishing webpage.

(Radio Iowa) – The head of a trade association for biofuel producers says Iowa is no longer the best place to produce ethanol. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director Monte Shaw says Nebraska has that position now because a pipeline started capturing carbon from Nebraska ethanol plants last Friday. “Iowa has worn the crown,” Shaw says. “We have been the world’s best place to turn corn into ethanol and we’ve held that crown for 25 years and last week we got knocked off. The world’s best place to turn corn into ethanol is now the plants hooked up to the Trailblazer Pipeline.”

That pipeline had been used to transport natural gas through Nebraska, but has been converted to collect carbon and ship it to underground storage in Wyoming. Shaw says it’s just Econ 101 that investments will shift to Nebraska if Iowa officials slam the door here on the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. “We are asking the Iowa legislature…to help avert what I personally feel is a pending farm crisis,” Shaw says, “…and all we’re asking for is to have access to the tools we need, like carbon capture and sequestration.”

The Iowa House has passed several bills since 2021 that would have affected the operation of Summit’s project, but only one has gotten Senate approval. It’s the bill Governor Reynolds vetoed in June. This past weekend group of G-O-P lawmakers said they’d introduce more pipeline-related legislation in 2026. Seth Harder is C-E-O of Husker AG, an ethanol plant in northeast Nebraska that may connect to the Trailblazer Pipeline. Harder says ethanol production will shift to Nebraska if it has the only carbon sequestration pipeline in the Midwest.

“Watching some plants farther east start to struggle…I think that could get worse and some of those plants I know are on the cusp of shuttering,” he says. “Some have…and that’s going to bring the production down in Iowa.” Harder is also the C-E-O of the Lincolnway Energy plant near Nevada.

The Trailblazer Pipeline project in Nebraska is currently designed to collect carbon from up to 11 ethanol plants, one of which is near Council Bluffs. In May, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy’s manager said the company had secured voluntary agreements from local property owners so the plant can connect to the Trailblazer pipeline.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he believes congress will have to act to provide the full amount of federal payments to farmers that President Trump has promised to make up for trade-related losses. “I don’t think he has the authority to use tariff money,” Grassley says. “That goes in the treasury and once it goes in the treasury, it’s got to be appropriated by congress.” Grassley says there’s not enough money in the U-S-D-A’s budget today to fund the trade disruption payments the Trump Administration has planned.

“I had a discussion with one of the cabinet members Monday and this very subject came up,” Grassley says. “…They’re thinking about spreading it out over two tranches, use the money that’s available now and then congress gets done appropriating money and supplements the Commodity Credit Corporation, they’d do the remaining of the $10-14 billion.” American farmers got more than 22 billion dollars in payments in 2019, during Trump’s first administration, after China scaled back U.S. commodity purchases. Amid the current trade stand-off between the two countries, China has stopped buying U.S. soybeans.

Grassley says fertilizer prices are another shockwave hitting farm income and Grassley has been calling for a rollback of U.S. tariffs on fertilizer imports. “I don’t have any resolution or opinion from the executive branch where I’ve expressed both in interviews like this and by Twitter and in statements to the cabinet people.”

According to the American Farm Bureau, the U.S. imported 97 percent of the potassium fertilizer farmers used in 2024 — and nearly all of it came from Canada. There’s now a 10 percent tariff on potassium fertilizer imports from Canada.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is launching a major habitat restoration effort at the Meadow Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) north of Greenfield, beginning this month. The project involves the clearing of approximately 37 acres of dense, invasive trees and brush from the center of the area. This essential work is scheduled to take place from October through March 2026.

The primary goal is to restore vital grassland habitat that has been severely encroached upon by aggressive, non-native species such as Eastern red cedar, Russian olive, bush honeysuckle, and others. The clearing process will involve using heavy equipment, including dozers and excavators, to push, pull, and pile the invasive material. Iowa DNR Technician Jacob Ashford says “This is a critical part of a larger plan to improve the entire Meadow Lake watershed. By removing these invasive species, we can restore the native prairie. This will significantly improve the soil’s ability to absorb water, leading to better water quality in Meadow Lake, enhanced fishing opportunities, and a healthier habitat for grassland wildlife.”

Following the clearing, wildlife staff will conduct native prairie seeding to fully restore the area. Future maintenance will be managed under the area’s long-term management plan.

(Radio Iowa) – A group of lawmakers pressing to prohibit Summit Carbon Solutions from seizing land along its proposed carbon pipeline route says they’ve got new ideas for the 2026 legislative session.The group’s also calling for an apology from top Senate Republicans who publicly criticized 12 G-O-P colleagues who refused to vote on budget bills this past spring and forced a Senate vote on a bill with pipeline restrictions.

Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison hosted an event this weekend that four of those senators attended. “Their leadership put them through hell,” Holt said. “Their leadership said things on the floor that I have never heard and I’m embarrassed as a Republican to have ever heard, but they stood fast.” One Senate Republican called the group naive. Another called the bill a nuclear bomb.

Senator Kevin Alons of Salix says it took a lot of courage. “It was a line in the sand that I just couldn’t let go of,” Alons said. “We took our stand and here we are and we’ve got a distance to go yet.” Republican Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City has helped draft the bill the senate passed — and Governor Reynolds vetoed in June. Thomson says seeing which Senators voted against that bill is important. “We know who’s on the other side. They’ve identified themselves. We’ve forced them out of the bushes. That’s who the problem people are,” Thomson said. “That is a huge tactical advantage.”

Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center says 70 percent of Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate voted for the bill. “We were in step not only with the party platform, not only in step with Iowa law — including the Iowa Constitution, but we were part of a Republican legislative super majority,” Taylor said. “We were in step with our political party. The senators who voted no were not.” And Representative Holt says if Senate Republican leadership is looking for a quick compromise on the issue, they can vote on a bill the House passed last year to forbid Summit from seizing agland from unwilling property owners.

“This issue is not going away,” Holt said, to applause from a crowd at a Sunday afternoon rally in Shelby County.

The county’s board of supervisors voted last month to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the lawsuit Summit filed to block Shelby County’s pipeline ordinance. A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of Summit and against the county’s ordinance that established no-go zones around homes, schools and other structures.

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Department invites you to join them for a family friendly afternoon of fun at their Fireside Fair inside Cold Springs Park campground shelter. The event takes place Saturday October 25th.

Come and go from 1-until 5-p.m.. There will be fall crafts and treats, and you can try out the CCCD’s “Crack the Code” trail inside the campground.

They hope you will bring the family and enjoy the activities.

(Lewis, Iowa) –  Trumpeter Swans have visited the Schildberg Quarry in Atlantic for at least 27 out of the last twenty-eight winters. Now, it’s time once again for the Cass County Conservation Board’s contest, which asks you: When do you think the first Trumpeter Swan will arrive at the Schildberg Quarry?

Please call in your prediction (by November 10^th) to the Conservation Board at 712-769-2372, leave a message and return phone number if we are not in. Duplicate dates will not be allowed. For example, if a caller predicts November 25th, no one else will be allowed to predict that arrival date. So, call anytime until November 11th to make your prediction! One prediction per family, please.

The sponsors of this contest will determine the official arrival of more than 6 trumpeter swans to Lake 4, and if they arrive before the Nov. 11^th no more dates will be taken. The winner will receive a Trumpeter Swan Prize from the Cass County Conservation Board. Sorry, this contest is only for residents of Cass County.

Previous Arrival and departure dates of the swans have been as follows:

1997/1998 December 18 – January 2

1998/1999 Nothing on record

1999/2000 December 25 – February 15

2000/2001 November 23 – March 6

2001/2002 December 25 – February 24

2002/2003 November 23 – March 15

2003/2004 November 26 – March 21

2004/2005 November 25 – March 18

2005/2006 November 17 – March 5

2006/2007 October 30 – March 9

2007/2008 November 22- February 14

2008/2009 November 18- March 12

2009-2010 November 19 – January 5

2010-2011 November 5 – February 10

2011/2012 November 17 – February 21

2012/2013 November 24– March 4

2013/2014 November 12- April 7

2014/2015 November 11- April 6

2015/2016 November 22- March 24

2016/2017 November 19- March 9

2017/2018 November 9- March 20

2018/2019 November 11- January 23

2019/2020 November 8- March 3

2020/2021 November 30- February 13

2021/2022 November 22- February 28

2022/2023 November 22- February 22

2023/2024 December 2- January 30

2024/2025 December 1- February 24