|
Aftermath: Manchester prepares for RAGBRAI
Breach!
Posted
24
July
2010
Lake Delhi
Photos Courtesy of the Iowa State Patrol
Lake Delhi Dam
Hopkinton
ISU Extension Entomologists Offer
Recommendations on Protecting Ash Trees
Posted
26
May
2010
The recent discovery
of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in northeastern Iowa (Allamakee County)
has increased interest in this exotic, invasive insect and what Iowans
can do to protect ash trees (Fraxinus species) on their property. Iowa
State University Extension is collaborating with Iowa state regulatory
agencies and local officials to limit the spread of EAB into other
areas of Iowa. For a full list of EAB detection and education
activities, please visit here.
Treatment options to protect ash trees from this destructive pest are
available, but careful and thoughtful analysis is needed to circumvent
spread of false information and excessive and needless use of
insecticides. Forest, horticulture and insect specialists with ISU
Extension have developed a guide that outlines your management options
against EAB.
The first step for many is confirming that you do have an ash tree.
Only ash trees are susceptible to EAB attack; all species and varieties
of ash trees are at risk. Second is determining if the ash tree is in
vigorous health. Trees must be healthy and growing for treatments to be
effective.
Compromised trees that have mechanical injuries, loose bark or thin
canopy or are struggling to grow in poor sites with limited rooting
area, compacted soil or other stresses are not worth treating. If the
tree is apparently healthy and is valuable in your landscape, then
preventive treatment options may be considered.
Insecticide control measures against EAB should not be used unless you
live within 15 miles of the confirmed EAB infestation. Based on today’s
announcement, the upper portion of Allamakee County is within this risk
zone. However, due to the isolated incidence and associated remote
terrain of the infested site, treatment in Iowa is still not
recommended at this time.
Protecting ash trees with insecticides is a long-term commitment. Most
treatments will need to be reapplied annually or twice per year for an
interminable number of years to protect the tree. With that in mind,
many would be ahead to remove and replace susceptible trees.
ISU Extension has a publication on the topic, PM 2084, "Emerald Ash
Borer Management Options," released June 2009. The publication can be
downloaded from the ISU Extension Online Store here. The North
Central Region IPM Center’s “Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash
Trees from EAB” was issued May 2009 and is available on the ISU emerald
ash borer website here.
Youth Are Leading Healthy Change in Region
4, Ranum Says
Posted
10
May
2010
Youth are leading the
charge for healthy change in northeast Iowa, according to Brenda Ranum,
director for Iowa State University Extension’s Region 4, covering
Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.
“We have food and fitness clubs that started at the high school level,
and we now have over 190 youth enrolled,” Ranum said. “They are working
with food service staff, parents and concession stand volunteers to get
healthier food options in the schools.”
That isn’t the only way the youth clubs are leading dramatic changes to
improve northeast Iowans’ health, Ranum continued. A farm to school
program involves the youth, their schools and communities in planning
and implementing activities for school children. The high school
students teach second graders about where their food comes from, using
lessons developed by ISU Extension youth development specialist Vanette
Grover.
“This has all led to producers in the region getting excited about the
opportunities of bringing food into the cafeterias,” Ranum said. The
farm to school group is working with producers, connecting them with
food service staff and helping food services procure local food. The
group also is working with the Department of Education and ISU
Extension to share information about the rules and regulations that
producers and food service workers need to know to order food and
ensure it is safe.
Ranum is one of 20 regional extension education directors. The
positions were created a year ago as part of ISU Extension’s
restructuring plan to facilitate an issue-based approach to delivering
ISU Extension programming and resources. Ranum works directly with
county extension council members to meet their legal obligations as an
elected body. Together they are identifying new ways to work across
county borders, provide educational programming that addresses
significant issues and evaluate the results of multi-county and
regional efforts.
Ranum said the farm to school effort also is partnering with the
medical community in Region 3 to get healthy food and fitness messages
to young people.
“We’re really targeting zero to 8-year-olds. We just received a
community wellness grant that’s going to help bring all these partners
together over the next 18 months,” Ranum said. “It’s exciting that
change is starting to happen already, toward making the healthy choice
the easy choice in northeast Iowa.”
To learn more about ISU Extension programs, contact Ranum at
563-382-2949 or ranum@iastate.edu,
or
visit
the
ISU
Extension
website,
www.extension.iastate.edu.
More Farmers Using ISU Extension Farm
Financial Planning Analysis
Posted
19
April
2010
An increasing number
of Iowa farm families are turning to Iowa State University Extension
for a farm financial and production evaluation before making changes.
Mike Duffy, ISU Extension farm financial planning program director,
said demand for the program has picked up in recent months. Forty
families requested the analysis during the first three months of 2010,
compared to 57 families served by the program the previous 18 months.
“Evaluating your farm business and determining whether or not a change
is desirable is an essential part of any farm management plan,” said
Duffy. “The farm financial planning program helps farmers and farm
families evaluate their situation. Some want to analyze their current
operation as to its profitability, liquidity and risk bearing ability;
others are looking at areas where improvements can be beneficial to
their operation.”
ISU Extension farm management associates conduct the farm
financial planning program in a one-on-one counseling setting using a
computerized model to evaluate the changes. In addition to the
analysis, they often provide referrals to other sources of information
that might be available to the family. The program is currently funded
by a grant from CF Industries which covers the time and travel of the
associates running the analysis.
Ralph Mayer is one of the 12 Iowa farm management associates. “I begin
by talking to the farmer, or farm family, to get a general idea what
they are looking for from the analysis, as that will impact the
information we need to run it.”
Mayer says that most frequently farmers want to evaluate a change to
the operation – that might be renting an additional farm, buying a farm
or changing a crop or livestock enterprise. At the conclusion of the
conversation, Mayer asks the farmer to supply the basic information
needed to run the analysis – financial and production information for
the operation and information about any potential changes. “Having this
information is extremely critical because the more detailed and
accurate that information is, the more meaningful and useful the
analysis will be.”
FINPAK, the computer analysis used by the program, provides in-depth
information about the farm, evaluates it as it currently exists and
gives information as to the financial impact that a change may have
going forward. This “third party” point of view was exactly what Mary
Clare and Anne Sweeney needed when they contacted ISU Extension for an
analysis last winter.
The Sweeney sisters, fourth generation Dubuque County farmers, manage
and work on the family farm with some help from their three brothers.
“This computer assessment has helped us make better financial
decisions, especially regarding our dilemma and uncertainty about
whether to continue raising livestock or rent our entire farm,” said
Mary Clare Sweeney in an email to Duffy. “The clear and concise
printouts presented the financial ramifications of each of our options;
we can now make much more realistic decisions.”
Sweeney was also impressed with the dedication of her farm associate,
Charles Morine, when he traveled through bad weather and at a distance
to conduct the program’s services. “Chuck explained the program very
clearly and left no doubt in our minds as to the benefit of the
analysis,” she continued. “He was able to answer related financial
questions and direct us to other resources available in our area. We
are very grateful for the help we received.”
Farmers interested in the farm financial planning analysis should
contact their local extension office or Duffy at mduffy@iastate.edu.
To learn more about the program, visit the farm financial planning Web
site www.extension.iastate.edu/farmanalysis.
Plain Jane’s Misadventures: The WAVA
Conference
Posted
18
March
2010
By Plain Jane Green
“Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never goes back to its
original dimensions,” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Well, I certainly had a mind stretch this past weekend. I attended and
was the luncheon speaker at the 3rd annual WAVA Conference held in
Decorah, Iowa at the Hotel Winneshiek. This gathering emphasized Women
Adding Value to Agriculture in ways that I had never dreamed of. I
always knew that we women were pretty important to our farming
operations, but hold unto your hats and let me fill you in on the
details from this event sponsored by Iowa State University Extension,
Farm Service Agency, Women, Land & Legacy, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Northeast Iowa Community College, Northeast Iowa
Food & Farm Coalition, and Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness
Initiative.
Informative Workshops…
Three workshop sessions were held throughout the day on Friday, March
5. Each session consisted of two different presenters with topics
ranging from estate planning to gardening. The first session that I
attended included some new techniques for gardening such as the
benefits of a rain garden, how to promote bird and butterfly friendly
flower gardens, and it also covered the watershed projects for clean
water for our streams, communities and farms. Both presenters had lots
of handouts and talked in laymen’s terms.
After lunch, I headed for a program that I thought would help me with
my winter weight problems. It was titled, “Making the Healthy Choice
the Easy Choice.” Ah-ha-- just exactly the type of program that I
needed to get me going on doing some exercising, trying a new diet, and
maybe even giving me some new recipes. None of this happened, but my
mind was positively stretched to the max with all the new data that was
impressed upon me. Whew! Little did I realize the overhaul that I was
in for.
Disconnect between business and farmer…
The instructor got right down to the nitty-gritty from the get-go. She
honed in on the disconnect between the local businesses and the local
farmers. Her first question struck a nerve with we farm gals. Her
question was, “Since we live in the farming heartland, why don’t we
grow our own food?” She continued by stating that this particular
region grew lots of corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa, so why couldn’t
it grow food for human consumption? She also informed the group that
80% of the food sold in the local grocery stores came from outside the
area. Humpf?
Her question and information certainly got the attention of the
audience and then she explained the money side of the equation.
Cha-ching...millions of dollars being spent on food bought from outside
the area. Wow! And by shifting a mere 25% of that food dollar to buying
locally grown fruits and vegetables, millions of dollars could be kept
in the area. Granted it would be a change for what farmers planted and
grew but it would be a definite solution to the economic woes of the
region.
Old ideas with a new slant…
Direct marketing of locally produced food is not a new concept. But
with the new emphasis by the consumer of buying organic, healthy food
for their families—well, the idea of locally produced food being
locally available for purchase is a good one. The end result is an
improved economy for the entire region. Keeping the food dollar working
in the home community is the whole idea.
And as I cogitated over her program it reminded me of former times.
Remember how our parents and grandparents sold or traded their cream
and eggs to the local grocer? The money never left town, but was spent
right there. Hm?
Our presenter had many handouts and graphics along with the concerns
and regulations to meet in order for the program to go forward, but
many of the ideas and implementations are already in the works. Good
outcomes are happening in her local area and are serving as a model for
other regions to adopt.
Getting rid of the baggage…
Our presenter than switched gears on us and explored the personal side
of the food and fitness program. I thought, now I will get some help
with my winter weight blues. Yes, I did get some help, but in a much
different format.
Her talk included unloading childhood baggage. This didn’t mean some
old baby fat that I have had around for 60 plus years. She meant that I
had to change some of the old ideas that had been fostered on me as a
child. Such things as, “You have to clean your plate before you are
excused from the table!” I could change this by using a smaller plate
or serving smaller portions of food in order to have a clean plate. The
idea being that less food consumed yields fewer calories resulting in
weight loss.
I tried this idea on my men for the noon meal today. Result…they used
two small plates: one for their salad and one for their goulash.
Possibly they ate less. Time will tell on this one…
Many good ideas for losing weight and staying healthy were given. She
also suggested an online course entitled, “Small Steps to Health and
Wealth.” I think I’ll try to this online course and see what
happens. It touts that “this course will help one take charge of one’s
future by identifying small progress steps to reach health and wealth
goals.”
Diamonds in the Rough…
My luncheon program, “Diamonds in the Rough,” involved reminding the
women on just how important they are to the whole scheme of things in
the agricultural world. Farm ladies are tough and strong, they are
rare, and they are valuable just like diamonds. We had a good time and
it was wonderful to visit with other farm ladies.
Mind Stretches for the Soul…
All in all it was a great conference upon which I have many thoughts to
ponder. We farm gals sometimes get in a rut, and with this winter’s
deep snow ruts, I definitely needed a breath of fresh air with a new
outlook. The WAVA Conference gave me just that, and thus I encourage
all of you to take in a conference, a meeting, or a get-together to
renew your spirits and expand your minds. Mind stretches work wonders
for the soul.
Photo Caption: Plain Jane Visits Iowa
Plain Jane Green was the luncheon speaker at the 3rd Women Adding Value
to Agriculture Conference held recently in Decorah. Plain Jane
delighted a group of 45 farm wives and partners as she told of her
misadventures of being a South Dakota farm wife, mother, and
grandmother. Jane has written two books titled “Plain Jane’s
Misadventures, Volumes I and II.” She also writes for three ag
newspapers in SD and submitted the accompanying article about her visit
to Iowa and the WAVA conference.
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.
|
