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World's Largest Tractor Coming to Iowa
Posted
8
March
2010
“Big Bud 16V - 747”,
the world’s largest tractor, will be making its way to Iowa for the
first time ever this spring.
Arriving in April, Big Bud has representatives of Heartland Acres in
Independence expecting big things for visitors who come to the
agriculture museum. “All of us who have worked to get “Big Bud”
to come to Independence are very excited”, stated Heartland Acres Board
member Craig Johnson. “This is a great opportunity to bring more
visitors to Independence and Northeast Iowa.”
Built in Havre, Montana in 1977, “Big Bud” was 1 of over 500 “Big Bud”
brand tractors that were built by Ron Harmon and the crew of the
Northern Manufacturing Company. “Big Bud” is the only 16V-747
model that was produced and was specifically designed to produce higher
horsepower to deep-plow cotton fields for the Rossi Brothers near
Bakersfield, California. The tractor was built to produce 760
horsepower using a 16-cylinder Detroit Diesel engine but has operated
at 980 horsepower. “Big Bud” measures 27 feet long, 20 feet wide, and
14 feet tall and weighs over 130,000 pounds.
“Big Bud” will be making its way to Iowa for the first time in history
and with tractor enthusiasts located throughout the Midwest, an
increase of tourists to Independence is almost certain. “Big Bud
is known globally so this is not only an exciting opportunity for our
area, but for the entire Midwest”, commented Heartland Acres Events
Manager Mike McGill. “We have reached out to the state tourism
office as well as over twenty other organizations that we partner with
in ag tourism to help us as we plan for Big Bud’s
arrival.”
As a member benefit, Chamber members across the state will receive a
discount on adult admission to Heartland Acres while Big Bud is being
displayed. “Participating organizations and their members will
receive $2 off the adult admission by showing our staff this article, a
membership card or by simply stating that they’re visiting as a member
of the Chamber of Commerce”, added McGill.
Visitor’s to Heartland Acres will be able to see “Big Bud 16V-747” from
April 12th until July 31st; making it the longest stop at any site in
its tour history.
For more information about “Big Bud” and Heartland Acres visit www.heartlandacresusa.com
or call 319-332-0123.
From Sap to Syrup: Interest in Making Maple
Syrup Grows in Iowa
Posted
1
March
2010
More and more Iowans
are seeking what literally has been an untapped resource — the sap in
the state’s maple trees, says Jesse Randall, a forester with Iowa State
University Extension. They want to make maple syrup, and Randall and
Iowa State’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management are
showing them how, just in time for the 2010 syrup season.
Iowa DOT Asks Iowans to Put Safety First
Posted
4
February
2010
A series of winter
storms this year has caused many Iowans to become stranded or their
vehicles to run off the road. No one can predict when he or she might
become the next victim of bad weather, but we can all be prepared just
in case.
It can happen to you. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has
developed a short video that identifies the basic necessities that you
should carry in your vehicle, and describes what you should do if you
become stranded.
To survive, stay inside your vehicle and use the resources in your
survival kit. Do not attempt to walk for help or try to remove your
vehicle from the snow.
Don’t put if off any longer. Now is the time to assemble your survival
kit. Learn what to carry and tips to survive by watching this new video
at http://www.iowadot.gov/ or http://www.youtube.com/iowadot
Mentoring Day on the Hill in Des Moines
Posted
1
February
2010
Thursday, January
28th was celebrated as Mentoring Day on the Hill in Des Moines.
Three Helping Services Mentoring Coordinators, Kathy Schwartzhoff, Rosa
Grant, and Jill Hollowell met with Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm and
Representative John Beard to discuss the importance of mentoring.
Photo Caption: Left to Right: Kathy Schwartzhoff, Senator
Mary Jo Wilhelm, Jill Hollowell, and Rosa Grant.
RAGBRAI Overnight Towns Announced
Posted
31
January
2010
The overnight stops
for RAGBRAI XXXVII have been announced.
This year's RAGBRAI participants will encounter one of the flatest and
shortest routes in the event's history. RAGBRAI 2010, which will
cover 442 miles from Sioux City to Dubuque July 25th through the 31st,
is ranked the 3rd easiest as far as hills and mileage is
concerned.
Overnight towns include Storm Lake, Algona, Clear Lake, Charles
City, Waterloo and Manchester.
Cool Video: Bionic Contact Lenses
Posted
25
January
2010
The wave of the
future!
Blanchard Discusses Marketing Strategies
for Produce
Posted
14
January
2010
Chris
Blanchard
was
the
featured
speaker
at
a
recent
workshop
in
Calmar
hosted
by
the
Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition (NIFF) and the
Oneota Community Food Coop. Over 40 people listened as Blanchard
talked about his experience working with produce buyers, pricing
product for wholesale markets, and quality assurance.
Blanchard owns and
operates Rock Spring Farm, on the state line between
Decorah, Iowa, and Spring Grove, MN. Rock Spring Farm offers CSA shares
to 200 shareholders, and provides organic herbs and vegetables to
natural foods grocers and a wholesale distributor in the Twin Cities,
Rochester, and Decorah. For more information about the NIFF
Coalition, visit www.iowafreshfood.com.
Two New 'Wild' License Plates
Revealed
Posted
12
January
2010
Two
new
Iowa
license
plates
to
help
fund
natural
resources
will
be
available
for
purchase
at
county
treasurers'
offices
this spring. The
plates were unveiled by Lt. Gov. Patty Judge Saturday at the State
Capitol during the Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP) Congress.
The two new designs,
featuring a brook trout and a deer, will attract
two of the largest groups of Iowan outdoor enthusiasts, anglers and
deer hunters, said Ross Harrison, DNR REAP coordinator. The license
plates were designed by Cedar Rapids artist Greg Bordignon. At a
purchase price of $45, and annual renewal of $25 for the numbered
plates, the REAP program receives $35 from each purchase and $10 from
renewals. The DNR's Wildlife Diversity program gets $10 from the
purchase and $15 from renewals.
The two new plates
join three others dedicated to those natural
resource programs: the goldfinch/rose, pheasant and eagle plates which
together generate about $1 million a year and outsell all of the
state's other specialty plates. Bordignon also designed the current
pheasant and eagle plates.
Harrison predicted
the two new plates may double the current income
within two years because of the popularity of the designs. "The brook
trout is Iowa's only native trout, and is the best indicator of water
quality of any fish species."
REAP provides funding
to cities, counties and state conservation
efforts, as well as to landowners and conservation organizations and
individuals. Currently funded at $18 million in appropriations from
state gaming revenues, the license plate income is added on top of that
amount. REAP's public participation component includes a congress every
two year for citizen input into running the program.
The DNR's nongame
wildlife program uses its license plate revenue to
match federal money for projects dealing with wildlife that are not
hunted or fished, and therefore not managed by use of hunting and
fishing license revenue.
Resource
Enhancement
And
Protection,
plate
information
Cool Internet Video
Posted
11
January
2010
The
24/7
Network
is
proud
to
present
a
new
feature
for
2010.
It
will
not
come
as
a
surprise
that the crew at JJC Media spends a lot of time
on the internet. We come across a lot of really cool stuff and
will share it with you using a couple of new features: Cool Internet
Video and Cool Internet Tools. If you come across cool things to
share please let us know at jjcmedia@jjcmedia.com.
Today's Cool Internet
Video: Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian
artist who just won Ukraine's version of "America's Got Talent." She
uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting"
skills to interpret Germany's invasion and occupation of Ukraine during
WWII.
Order Your Luther College License Plate
Today
Posted 5 January 2010
Renew your Iowa
license plates and replace them with a Luther College
plate this year! You may purchase your Luther College plates (including
personalized plates) for yourself or as a gift for someone else. Gift
certificates will be mailed to the purchaser.
Numbered Plate Fee:
$25
$5 annual validation
fee
Annual registration
fee
Personalized Plate
Fee: $50
$5 Annual validation
fee
Annual registration
fee
For More Information:
View the Private College & University Specialty
Plate form.
Applications may also
be obtained from your county
treasurer's office or from the following address:
Office of Vehicle
Services
P.O. Box 9278
Des Moines, IA
50306-9278
Telephone:
515-237-3110
E-Mail: vehser@dot.state.ia.us
Your plates will be
sent to your county treasurer's office and they
will notify you when your plates are ready. Plates must be assigned to
a vehicle within 90 days or the plates will be voided and no refund
issued. Your current plates must be exchanged for your new plates.
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