Area3252015 by Iowa Farm Bureau

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 25, 2015

Planting Alfalfa or Forages?

SOUTH EAST IOWA

MAHASKA . KEOKUK . WASHINGTON . LOUISA . MUSCATINE . MONROE . WAPELLO JEFFERSON . HENRY . DES MOINES . APPANOOSE . DAVIS . VAN BUREN . LEE

Beck’s Elite Alfalfa varieties are eligible for a $25 per bag discount if ordered by March 31, 2015. For full details on all Beck’s alfalfa and forage products, call

800-937-2325

Top Ten named for Iowa’s Leadership Washington Class Best Burger contest members are farmers for a day

SUBMITTED BY JEFFERSON, KEOKUK, LOUISA, The nominations for Iowa’s Best Burger show that whether you live in a town of 1,000 people or in a metropolitan area of more than half a million people, great hamburgers are being served across the state. Iowans submitted more than 4,000 nomination votes between Feb. 11 and March 10 that selected the 2015 Top Ten restaurants and their burgers. In its sixth year, Iowa’s Best Burger contest received nominations for 286 Iowa restaurants. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that came in via online, texting and paper ballots. Those making the Top Ten list are (in alphabetical order): • Ankeny Diner, Ankeny • Big City Burgers & Greens, Des Moines • Down Right Delicious, Clarinda • Elm’s Club, Creston • First Street Grille, Keosauqua

• Ride’s Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge • Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids • The Cider House, Fairfield • The Ritz, Arnold’s Park • Zombie Burger, Des Moines Iowa’s Best Burger contest now moves to the next stage. All Top Ten restaurants will be visited by judges who will evaluate the hamburgers based on taste, appearance, and proper serving temperature (160 degrees). The winner will be announced on May 4. To learn more about the contest, you can visit www.iabeef.org where you’ll find a map showing the locations of the Top Ten restaurants, or “friend” the Iowa Beef Council Facebook© page. Last year, Brick City Grill of Ames took home the final prize. Winners in previous years are: 2013 - 61 Chop House Grille, Mediapolis; 2012 - Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011 - Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010 - Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Potato Cheese Soup Judy Obrecht, Harlan (Shelby County) 6 c. potatoes, diced 2 c. water 1 c. celery, diced 1 c. carrots, diced 1/2 c. onion, chopped Dash salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 4 c. milk 1/4 c. flour 1 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Cook vegetables and bouillon in large covered saucepan for 15-20 minutes, until done. Blend milk and flour completely, and cook until thickened. Add Velveeta cheese, and stir until melted. Stir in vegetables and serve.

Creamy Rice Pudding Karen Harrington, LeMars (Plymouth County) 3/4 c. uncooked white rice 2 c. milk, divided 1/3 c. white sugar 1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c. golden or regular raisins 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. butter

Bring 1-1/2 c. water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in rice. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. In another saucepan, combine 1 cooked rice, 1-1/2 c. milk, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until thick and creamy. Stir in remaining milk, egg and raisins. Cook for 2 minutes more, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in butter and vanilla.

Sausage Breakfast Hash Kathy Snitker, Postville (Allamakee County) 3 Tbsp. butter, divided 1 small red pepper, chopped 1 (20-oz.) package refrigerated Dash cayenne pepper diced potatoes with onions 1 c. (4-oz.) shredded Swiss 1 (7-oz.) package Brown ‘n Serve cheese sausage links, sliced 8 eggs 1 small green pepper, chopped 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. salt Hot pepper sauce, optional

Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in potatoes, sausage, green and red peppers, salt and cayenne pepper. Cover, and cook until tender for approximately 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese. Fry eggs in remaining butter. Sprinkle with pepper. Serve with mixed fruit.

SUBMITTED BY WASHINGTON Members of this year’s Leadership Washington Class boarded a school bus Wednesday, March 11, and traveled the roads of Washington County to learn about agriculture. The day began at the Washington County Extension office where the group did a feed mixing exercise. They learned about different ways feed can be mixed, different equipment and why it is important for feed to be formulated and mixed correctly. The first stop was at the Bates Family Farm where the class learned about turkey production. They visited a brooder shed with2week-ld turkeys and a grow shed with turkeys that would be loaded and sold the next day. The group learned about the labor involved in keeping the birds healthy, the costs of feed and fuel and bio-security. Mike Bates told the group about West Liberty Foods and the processing of the meat and that their product is marketed to Subway and Costco. At the next stop Matt Wulf told the group about his cattle operation. They had an opportunity to see a new baby calf, learn what calving season is like, view feedstuffs and learn of costs associated with beef production. The group moved on up the road to the Brayton Turner farm where they learned about the lambing process, what is needed to raise sheep and production in general. They saw several baby lambs. Over lunch, a presentation was given by Bob Shepherd, Market Master of Washington’s Farmer’s Market, and the role value added agriculture plays in our community. Aaron Putze of the Iowa Soybean Association also gave a presentation on agriculture in Iowa and

Matt Brown stands in the midst of a group of tom turkeys ready to be sold at Bates Family Farms. These turkeys were loaded and sold the following day.

shared many interesting facts. Rachel Fishback talked about raising pigs in confinement buildings and gave a general overview of the hog industry. The class traveled to the Dick Gallagher farm where Dick and Ryan Gallagher told the group about grain farming and showed some of their equipment as well as their grain drying system. They discussed the cost of equipment, grain marketing and how events and weather in other parts of the world affects prices in Washington County.

The afternoon concluded with a trip to the historical polygonal barn located on the fairgrounds where they learned a brief history of the barn and how it was used to feed and house hogs. Leadership Washington is a program offered through the Washington Chamber of Commerce. Ag Day is sponsored by Washington County Farm Bureau. Leaders for the day were Rachel Fishback, Pam Green and Nancy Adrian. Contact the Washington Chamber at 319653-3272 for more information on the program.

Take ‘eggstra’ care with eggs SUBMITTED BY DES MOINES, HENRY Planning to cook eggs this spring for an egg hunt or perhaps egg salad or casserole? Remember that eggs are perishable and require safe handling to prevent foodborne illness. Here’s what YOU can do to have a safe and egg-cellent spring! Keep it clean – wash hands with warm water and soap before and after food handling – not just the ‘splash and dash’ method but for 15-20 seconds. Always wash food contact surfaces and cooking tools in hot water and soap. Cook and keep cool – bacteria love to grow in moist, protein-rich foods. Refrigeration slows bacterial growth, so be sure to refrigerate eggs and egg-containing foods. Remember the two-hour rule: don’t

leave perishables out at room temperature for more than two hours. Licking a spoon or tasting raw cookie dough can be risky since bacteria could be lurking in the raw eggs. Egg hunt know how – use only eggs that have been refrigerated and discard eggs that are cracked or dirty. To hard cook, place a single layer of eggs in a saucepan and add water in inch above the eggs. Cover, bring water to boil and remove the pan from the heat. Let the eggs stand 15-20 minutes depending on the size. Then immediately run cold water over the eggs until they are cool enough to handle. Refrigerate them in an uncovered container where they can air-dry. To decorate, use food-grade dyes such as commercial egg dyes, liquid food color-

ing and fruit-drink powders. Keep decorated eggs chilled on a shelf inside the refrigerator, not in the refrigerator door. Hide the eggs in places that are protected from dirt, pets and other potential sources of bacteria. Remember the two hour rule, and make sure the “found” eggs are back in the refrigerator or consumed within two hours. Remember that hard-boiled eggs are only safe to eat for one week after cooking. For more tips and recipes, contact the Iowa Egg Council at iowaegg.org or www.extension.iastate. edu/foodsafety . Or please contact Patricia Steiner, Nutrition & Wellness Specialist, psteiner@iastate. edu, 800-914-1914 or 319-3949433 serving Des Moines, Henry, Lee and Louisa counties.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 25, 2015

NORTH WEST IOWA

DO-IT-YOURSELF MANAGEMENT ZONES Take control of your fields today with FARMserver’s new, one-of-a-kind Management Zone Creation Tool. Your zones. Your data. Period.

LYON . OSCEOLA . DICKINSON . EMMET . SIOUX . O’BRIEN . CLAY . PALO ALTO . PLYMOUTH . CHEROKEE BUENA VISTA . POCAHONTAS . WOODBURY . IDA . SAC . CALHOUN . MONONA . CRAWFORD . CARROLL . GREENE

www.FARMserver.com

Iowa 4-H Foundation Gala raises more than $106,000 SUBMITTED BY CRAWFORD 4-H supporters from around the state gathered on Feb. 28 in Cedar Rapids to raise funds to support the Iowa 4-H Foundation. Over 200 attendees enjoyed an evening full of food, socializing and of course, opportunities to bid on more than 110 silent and live auction items! At the end of the night, over $106,000 was raised to fund opportunities for Iowa’s 4-H youth which include state-level award recognition, scholarships, national 4-H trips as well as financial aid support. “We were thrilled with the success of this event,” said Albert Grunenwald, executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “It was a great night to connect with people who care about the future of 4-H in Iowa. Funds raised from this event will help to give Iowa’s 4-H’ers opportunities

they wouldn’t otherwise have had.” The live and silent auctions raised $24,620 and $17,500 respectively. This year’s Fund-A-Need portion of the auction raised more than $5,750 to support National 4-H Congress! These funds will allow the Iowa 4-H Program to bring five more Iowa 4-H’ers on this national 4-H experience. Highlights of the silent auction were the 17 items submitted by Iowa 4-H’ers. Half of the proceeds from these auction items go back to the 4-H members’ local county or 4-H clubs. “We are pleased to be able to highlight the efforts of local 4-H’ers, to help support their local programs and promote the impact 4-H has on Iowa’s young people,” Grunenwald said. “We thank the many sponsors, auction donors, attendees and friends for supporting this vital program in our state.”

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Potato Cheese Soup Judy Obrecht, Harlan (Shelby County) 6 c. potatoes, diced 2 c. water 1 c. celery, diced 1 c. carrots, diced 1/2 c. onion, chopped Dash salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 4 c. milk 1/4 c. flour 1 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Creamy Rice Pudding Karen Harrington, LeMars (Plymouth County) 3/4 c. uncooked white rice 2 c. milk, divided 1/3 c. white sugar 1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c. golden or regular raisins 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. butter

Storm Lake’s kindergartners presented their music program March 10 in Storm Lake. The musical was titled “Down on the Farm.” Photo courtesy of Megan Naylor, Pilot-Tribune”

‘Down on the Farm’ presented by Storm Lake kindergartners SUBMITTED BY BUENA VISTA Storm Lake’s kindergartners (approximately 185 students) presented their music program (called an “informance” as it is an evening to inform parents of their child’s learning through song) on March 10 in Storm Lake. The musical was titled

“Down on the Farm.” Directed by Storm Lake Elementary music instructor Deb Mortensen, the musical showed the importance of farming and farmers and how family life and togetherness is essential to today’s farmers. A donation of canned goods was collected and

used to create a farm fence before being donated to the food pantry. Mortensen applied for and was awarded an Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) Teacher Supplement Grant which was used to purchase a CD and props to enhance this program.

Top 10 named for Iowa’s Best Burger contest SUBMITTED BY CALHOUN, CHEROKEE, IDA, O’BRIEN, PLYMOUTH The nominations for Iowa’s Best Burger show that whether you live in a town of 1,000 people or in a metropolitan area of more than half a million people, great hamburgers are being served across the state. Iowans submitted more than 4,000 nomination votes between Feb. 11 and March 10 that selected the 2015 Top 10 restaurants and their burgers. In its sixth year, Iowa’s Best Burger contest received nominations for 286 Iowa restaurants. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that came in via online, texting and paper ballots. Those making the Top 10 list are (in alphabetical order): Ankeny Diner, Ankeny; Big City Burgers & Greens, Des Moines; Down Right Delicious, Clarinda; Elm’s Club, Creston; First Street Grille, Keosauqua; Ride’s Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge; Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids; The Cider House, Fairfield; The Ritz, Arnold’s Park; Zombie Burger, Des Moines.

Saucy Focaccia and The Cider House joined 102 other new restaurants at being nominated for the contest. Those two, along with Down Right Delicious, are also in the Top 10 for the first time. “The addition of new restaurants shows that Iowa restaurants know that burgers will always be a popular item on their menus. Restaurants love to make burgers and their customers love to eat them,” said Roger Brummett, a Bedford cattle producer who is also chairman of the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Iowa’s Best Burger contest now moves to the next stage. All Top 10 restaurants will be visited by judges who will evaluate the hamburgers based on taste, appearance and proper serving temperature (160 degrees). “We’re really happy to promote Iowa restaurants who do a great job of serving beef,” said ICA President Phil Reemtsma, D.V.M., of DeWitt. “We have a lot in common. Cattle producers and local restaurants are both small business owners who have a great passion for food – either producing it or preparing it. And, both local

restaurants and farmers are important to the economic well-being of hundreds of communities around the state.” “Although we won’t announce Iowa’s Best Burger until May 4, we encourage everyone to stop at one of the Top 10 restaurants for a burger,” Brummett said. “This year we have a good representation across the state, which shows Iowans have a very special place in their heart for burgers. The burger is the all–American classic served in almost every restaurant from the local café to the finest white tablecloth establishment.” To continue to learn more about the contest, you can visit www.iabeef.org where you’ll find a map showing the locations of the Top 10 restaurants, or “friend” the Iowa Beef Council Facebook© page. Last year, Brick City Grill of Ames took home the final prize. Winners in previous years are: 2013- 61 Chop House Grille, Mediapolis; 2012- Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011- Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010-Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 25, 2015

DO-IT-YOURSELF MANAGEMENT ZONES Take control of your fields today with FARMserver’s new, one-of-a-kind Management Zone Creation Tool.

NORTH EAST IOWA

Your zones. Your data. Period.

WINNESHIEK . ALLAMAKEE . FAYETTE . CLAYTON . BUCHANAN . DELAWARE . DUBUQUE

2015 4-H Youth Equine Extravaganza planned SUBMITTED BY BUCHANAN Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is having a 2015 4-H Youth Equine Extravaganza May 1-3 at the Ellsworth Community College Equestrian Center, Iowa Falls. It is the horse jamboree and horse judging put together. Deadline is April 1 to complete the online registration. In addition, the Horseless Horse creative writing entries must be received or postmarked in State 4-H Office, HJ Creative Writing, 3630 Ext. 4-H Youth Bldg., Ames, IA 50011-3630 by April 10. All Horseless Horse items are on the same online registration form. Have all your HH entry information handy before you access the

online registration entry form. There are several events going on over the three days of this fun event. The first day consists of a quiz bowl. Second day involves topics and workshops including: hippology, presentations, model horse show, painting, photography, creative writing, woodworking, crafts and clothes, digital storytelling, scrapbooking and 3-D metal art. On the last day a state horse judging contest will be held. Rules, schedule and online entry forms can be found at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/equineextravaganza. For more information, contact Mike Anderson at mikeande@ iastate.edu or 515-294-8617.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Potato Cheese Soup Judy Obrecht, Harlan (Shelby County) 6 c. potatoes, diced 2 c. water 1 c. celery, diced 1 c. carrots, diced 1/2 c. onion, chopped Dash salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 4 c. milk 1/4 c. flour 1 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Creamy Rice Pudding Karen Harrington, LeMars (Plymouth County) 3/4 c. uncooked white rice 2 c. milk, divided 1/3 c. white sugar 1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c. golden or regular raisins 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. butter

www.FARMserver.com

Cook This! Challenge planned SUBMITTED BY ALLAMAKEE, CLAYTON, FAYETTE, WINNESHIEK The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach with the help of two Food & Fitness 4-H members (interns: Sierra Gonzalez from Postville and Simon Cropp from Decorah High Schools) will host a 4-H Culinary Challenge, Cook This! The event will be held April 11 in Decorah at the First Lutheran Church from 12-4 p.m. The event is open to youth in grades 5-12 across the region with age divisions: Grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. The registration fee is $10 per team and the deadline to register is April 3. Cook This! is modeled after the competition at the Iowa State Fair. Teams of three will complete in three challenges: 1. Culinary: Work together to prepare a recipe in the designated time and be critiqued by a panel of judges. 2. Communications: Present a group speech on topic that you are given.

A Cook This! Challenge will be held April 11.

3. Additional: Identify or solve a challenge related to food, nutrition or wellness. Gather your friends and create a team! Open to any youth in northeast Iowa; at least one member needs to be enrolled in 4-H. Register soon, there is a limit of six teams per age division!

Upon registration, you will receive a packet that will include the recipe, communications topic and information on how to prepare for the event. For more information, please contact Laura Liechty at 563382-2949 or lliechty@iastate. edu. To register, contact your county ISU Extension office.

Local Food Directory needs producer information SUBMITTED BY CLAYTON, FAYETTE, WINNESHIEK The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition (NIFF) is updating the Local Food Directory for Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties. This directory is part of the Iowa Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign. The directory includes listings for producers of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods,

honey, herbs and syrups. In addition, local farmers markets, stores and restaurants featuring local food are also listed. Any producers or businesses who would like to be listed in the 2015 directory should visit www. iowafreshfood.com for more information. Four membership levels are available. Producers may also contact Teresa Wiemerslage, ISU Extension and Outreach, at 563794-0599. Directory items need to

be received by April 1 to be included in this year’s publication. The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm (NIFF) Coalition and the Food & Fitness Initiative (FFI) are working together to create communities that support access to fresh, locally grown, healthy, affordable food and safe environments for physical activity and play. More information about these programs can be found at www.iowafoodandfitness.org.

Help Starmont Community School District with grant SUBMITTED BY CLAYTON, DELAWARE, FAYETTE Starmont Community School District is looking for farmers to nominate Starmont for a $25,000 grant sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The more farmer support they can get helps their chances in securing the grant. The grant would be used to construct a new greenhouse that could be used for all grades K-12

to enhance the students’ education. The Family Consumer Science and Agriculture classes will collaborate using hydroponics to grow lettuce, tomatoes and other vegetables to be used in the classroom as well as using worms to compost waste from the lunch program. The greenhouse will provide fundraising opportunities to sell plants. Student will take away knowledge understanding nat-

ural science with hands-on opportunities and exploring solar energy. You can nominate Starmont for this grant online by visiting GrowRuralEducation.com and complete the registration information, or call 1-877-267-3332. If you have any questions, please contact the school at 563-933-4598. Nominations are by April 1. Thank you for your support!

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 25, 2015

NORTH CENTRAL IOWA

DO-IT-YOURSELF MANAGEMENT ZONES Take control of your fields today with FARMserver’s new, one-of-a-kind Management Zone Creation Tool. Your zones. Your data. Period.

KOSSUTH . WINNEBAGO . WORTH . HANCOCK . CERRO GORDO . HUMBOLDT WRIGHT . FRANKLIN . WEBSTER . HAMILTON . HARDIN

Silos & Smokestacks funds internships in northeast Iowa SUBMITTED BY HARDIN Northeast Iowa Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) has awarded $10,000 to fund college internships at five Heritage Area Partner Sites. Intern projects located throughout the region will focus on preserving and sharing stories related to American agriculture and include the Calkins Nature Area at Iowa Falls. The intern will construct a raised garden bed, planted and maintained in a manner consistent with Native American culture. An educational program will be developed to connect the project with the museum. “We are pleased to be able to support our Partner Sites through our intern grant program. Five college students will gain valuable work experience while connecting visitors with the region’s agricultural story,” commented Don Short, SSNHA president. Internships will begin in May

and continue throughout the summer. For more information on specific projects or internship opportunities, please contact the individual organizations listed above. To learn more about the Intern Grant Program, contact Laura Elfers, education and interpretation manager, at 319-234-4567 or lelfers@silosandsmokestacks.org. SSNHA is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. The Heritage Area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of Iowa. Interstate 80 borders it on the south and Interstate 35 borders it on the west. Through a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities-past and present. To learn more about Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, please visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES Potato Cheese Soup Judy Obrecht, Harlan (Shelby County) 6 c. potatoes, diced 2 c. water 1 c. celery, diced 1 c. carrots, diced 1/2 c. onion, chopped Dash salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 4 c. milk 1/4 c. flour 1 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Creamy Rice Pudding Karen Harrington, LeMars (Plymouth County) 3/4 c. uncooked white rice 2 c. milk, divided 1/3 c. white sugar 1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c. golden or regular raisins 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. butter

www.FARMserver.com

Top Ten named for Iowa’s Best Burger contest SUBMITTED BY FRANKLIN, HUMBOLDT, WRIGHT The nominations for Iowa’s Best Burger show that whether you live in a town of 1,000 people or in a metropolitan area of more than half a million people, great hamburgers are being served across the state. Iowans submitted more than 4,000 nomination votes between Feb. 11 and March 10 that selected the 2015 Top 10 restaurants and their burgers. In its sixth year, Iowa’s Best Burger contest received nominations for 286 Iowa restaurants. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that came in via online, texting and paper ballots. Those making the Top 10 list are (in alphabetical order): Ankeny Diner, Ankeny; Big City Burgers & Greens, Des Moines; Down Right Delicious, Clarinda; Elm’s Club, Creston; First Street Grille, Keosauqua; Ride’s Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge; Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids; The Cider House, Fairfield; The Ritz, Arnold’s Park;

Zombie Burger, Des Moines. Saucy Focaccia and The Cider House joined 102 other new restaurants at being nominated for the contest. Those two, along with Down Right Delicious, are also in the Top 10 for the first time. “The addition of new restaurants shows that Iowa restaurants know that burgers will always be a popular item on their menus. Restaurants love to make burgers and their customers love to eat them,” said Roger Brummett, a Bedford cattle producer who is also chairman of the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Iowa’s Best Burger contest now moves to the next stage. All Top 10 restaurants will be visited by judges who will evaluate the hamburgers based on taste, appearance and proper serving temperature (160 degrees). “We’re really happy to promote Iowa restaurants who do a great job of serving beef,” said ICA President Phil Reemtsma, D.V.M., of DeWitt. “We have a lot in common. Cattle producers and local restaurants are both small busi-

ness owners who have a great passion for food – either producing it or preparing it. And, both local restaurants and farmers are important to the economic well-being of hundreds of communities around the state.” “Although we won’t announce Iowa’s Best Burger until May 4, we encourage everyone to stop at one of the Top 10 restaurants for a burger,” Brummett said. “This year we have a good representation across the state, which shows Iowans have a very special place in their heart for burgers. The burger is the all–American classic served in almost every restaurant from the local café to the finest white tablecloth establishment.” To continue to learn more about the contest, you can visit www.iabeef.org where you’ll find a map showing the locations of the Top 10 restaurants, or “friend” the Iowa Beef Council Facebook© page. Last year, Brick City Grill of Ames took home the final prize. Winners in previous years are: 2013- 61 Chop House Grille, Mediapolis; 2012- Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011- Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010-Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

Horticulture hints BY YVONNE MCCORMICK SUBMITTED BY HUMBOLDT

Wishing for wisteria

Wisteria. Even its very name sounds mysterious. If you have ever been to England and visited the castles there, you will have noticed this beautiful vine covering the castle garden walls with its fragrant, lavender blooms draping down from the ancient archways. It was then I decided I must have some for my own garden. I soon discovered most wisteria is not a plant reliably hardy to our northern Iowa weather. After further investigation, I found a wisteria cultivar that would grow in zone 4. This cultivar is ‘Aunt Dee’ and I purchased two vines already growing in pots. The vines are quick to grow, but slow to flower, as wisteria has a longer than average juvenile period, taking up to three or four years to bloom. The ‘Aunt Dee’ cultivar is a Kentucky wisteria, (Wisteria macrostachys), which can grow to 15-25 feet at maturity with pale lavender blooms, 8-12 inches long. Nothing compares to the beauty and fragrance of a wisteria arbor in full bloom, but patience is needed for these plants to reach maturity. Last year, I was very excited to have my first wisteria blooms.

Though scanty in number, the flowers were beautiful racemes, a horticulture term for these dangling flower clusters packed tight with blooms. I planted each vine on a sturdy arbor trellis, so the wisteria’s tangling vines would grow to have their twisting flower stems dangle from openings overhead. As the plant matures, the vine will become gnarled and woody, filled with blooms. Other Kentucky wisteria cultivars include ‘Clara Mack’ which has white blooms and ‘Blue Moon’, a hardy cultivar from Minnesota with light blue blooms. The wonderfully fragrant blossoms first appear in early June and repeat through the summer. As Kentucky wisteria species bloom on current season’s new growth, it can be pruned in late winter or early spring before growth begins. Avoid planting the Japanese wis-

teria species, (Wisteria floribunda). Although the vines may grow here, the Japanese wisteria will never flower, as flower buds are formed on last year’s wood will be killed by our cold weather. Another species, the Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), is even less hardy than the Japanese type. Both of these species types are rated zone 5, and also will not perform well in our zone 4 northern Iowa area Wisteria grow best in a full sun location and prefer moist to average, well-drained soils and needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. Apply a 2 inch layer of mulch to help retain moisture and control weeds. As wisteria is a legume, it does not need much nitrogen, as they are capable of fixing their own nitrogen. Did you know? Wisteria flowers are a “wing-and-keel” flower structure. When the wings open, the keel is revealed. The underside of the flower is shaped with a hollow part, resembling a boat or the keel. Other members of the wisteria plant family (Fabaceae) such soybean, sweet peas and green beans, also have this type of flower form, from which seed pods are formed. Gardening questions? Contact McCormick at yvonne@iastate.edu for information or advice.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 25, 2015

DO-IT-YOURSELF MANAGEMENT ZONES Take control of your fields today with FARMserver’s new, one-of-a-kind Management Zone Creation Tool.

NORTH IOWA

Your zones. Your data. Period.

MITCHELL . HOWARD . FLOYD . CHICKASAW . BUTLER . BREMER . GRUNDY . BLACK HAWK

Local food directory needs producer information SUBMITTED BY CHICKASAW, HOWARD The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition (NIFF) is updating the Local Food Directory for Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties. This directory is part of the Iowa Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign. The directory includes listings for producers of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods, honey, herbs and syrups. In addition, local farmers markets, stores and restaurants featuring local food are also listed. Any producers or businesses who would like to be listed in the

2015 directory should visit www. iowafreshfood.com for more information. Four membership levels are available. Producers may also contact Teresa Wiemerslage, ISU Extension and Outreach, at 563794-0599. Directory items need to be received by April 1 to be included in this year’s publication. The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm (NIFF) Coalition and the Food & Fitness Initiative (FFI) are working together to create communities that support access to fresh, locally grown, healthy, affordable food and safe environments for physical activity and play. More information about these programs can be found at www.iowafoodandfitness.org.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Potato Cheese Soup Judy Obrecht, Harlan (Shelby County) 6 c. potatoes, diced 2 c. water 1 c. celery, diced 1 c. carrots, diced 1/2 c. onion, chopped Dash salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 4 c. milk 1/4 c. flour 1 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Creamy Rice Pudding Karen Harrington, LeMars (Plymouth County) 3/4 c. uncooked white rice 2 c. milk, divided 1/3 c. white sugar 1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c. golden or regular raisins 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. butter

www.FARMserver.com

Choosing child care SUBMITTED BY CHICKASAW, HOWARD Choosing care for their children is one of the most important decisions parents will make, and it can be overwhelming. Understanding Iowa’s child care system and regulations can help parents make a child care decision that fits their family. Whether a child care program is operating from a home or center, the operators should be knowledgeable about the state child care regulations. Parents and community members who understand the regulations as well will help support quality child care for Iowa’s youngest residents. Neuroscience tells us the first years of a child’s life are when the brain develops the most rapidly, and when the quality of the child’s interactions with caregivers have lifelong impact on shaping who he or she becomes. Children who have spent time in high quality child care environments have lasting benefits from the experience. Research indicates that children who receive a high quality early childhood education have better math, language and social skills as they enter school, and as they grow older require less special education and progress further in school. They also have fewer interactions with the justice

system and have higher earnings as adults.

Different types of care in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Human Services monitors licensed and registered child care programs. They are required to meet health and safety standards, programming standards and training standards that include CPR and first aid. All employees of licensed centers and all household members of a family child care home are required to submit a state and national background check. Licensed care may be found in private or nonprofit child care centers, church-based centers, afterschool or summer programs or school-age programs. Registered family child care homes fall into four different categories, mainly depending upon the number of children receiving care. Different rules apply to licensed child care centers and registered child care homes. These regulations are available to anyone online at https://dhs.iowa.gov/licensure-and-registration. Certain early childhood programs are exempt from licensing by the Iowa DHS, such as those operated by school districts under the Iowa Department of Education. Many parents might be surprised

to discover that home child care centers that care for five or fewer children do not need to register their program with the state of Iowa. Even though these unregistered providers are legally operating, they are not monitored by any regulatory agency and are not required to meet any minimum health and safety standards, have CPR or first aid or participate in professional development. The most important thing is to be aware and ask questions. Licensed or registered child care providers will proudly display their certificate from the state. Any program in Iowa caring for more than five children that does not register with the state is not abiding by the law. Not only is the program not being regulated, but there may be other consequences for operating illegally, such as liability or homeowner’s insurance not covering in cases of injury or death. Ultimately, parents must decide what type of early learning program is best for their child and family. Visit a variety of programs, ask questions, observe activities and relationships. For further research-based information on early care and education, visit the ISU Extension Let’s Talk Child Care website at http://blogs. extension.iastate.edu/childcare/.

Top 10 named for Iowa’s Best Burger contest SUBMITTED BY BUTLER, CHICKASAW The nominations for Iowa’s Best Burger show that whether you live in a town of 1,000 people or in a metropolitan area of more than half a million people, great hamburgers are being served across the state. Iowans submitted more than 4,000 nomination votes between Feb. 11 and March 10 that selected the 2015 Top 10 restaurants and their burgers. In its sixth year, Iowa’s Best Burger contest received nominations for 286 Iowa restaurants. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that came in via online, texting and paper ballots. Those making the Top 10 list are (in alphabetical order): Ankeny Diner, Ankeny; Big City Burgers & Greens, Des Moines; Down Right Delicious, Clarinda; Elm’s Club, Creston; First Street Grille, Keosauqua; Ride’s Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge; Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids; The Cider House, Fairfield; The Ritz, Arnold’s Park; Zombie Burger, Des Moines.

it. And, both local restaurants and farmers are important to the economic well-being of hundreds of communities around the state.” “Although we won’t announce Iowa’s Best Burger until May 4, we encourage everyone to stop at one of the Top 10 restaurants for a burger,” Brummett said. “This year we have a good representation across the state, which shows Iowans have a very special place in their heart for burgers. The burger is the all– American classic served in almost every restaurant from the local café to the finest white tablecloth establishment.” To continue to learn more about the contest, you can visit www.iabeef.org where you’ll find a map showing the locations of the Top 10 restaurants, or “friend” the Iowa Beef Council Facebook© page. Last year, Brick City Grill of Ames took home the final prize. Winners in previous years are: 2013- 61 Chop House Grille, Mediapolis; 2012- Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011- Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010-Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 25, 2015

EAST IOWA

Planting Alfalfa or Forages? Beck’s Elite Alfalfa varieties are eligible for a $25 per bag discount if ordered by March 31, 2015. For full details on all Beck’s alfalfa and forage products, call

TAMA . BENTON . LINN . JONES . JACKSON . POWESHIEK IOWA . JOHNSON . CEDAR . CLINTON . SCOTT

800-937-2325

Top Ten named for Iowa’s Best Burger contest SUBMITTED BY TAMA The nominations for Iowa’s Best Burger show that whether you live in a town of 1,000 people or in a metropolitan area of more than half a million people, great hamburgers are being served across the state. Iowans submitted more than 4,000 nomination votes between Feb. 11 and March 10 that selected the 2015 Top Ten restaurants and their burgers. In its sixth year, Iowa’s Best Burger contest received nominations for 286 Iowa restaurants. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that came in via online, texting and paper ballots. Those making the Top Ten list are (in alphabetical order): * Ankeny Diner, Ankeny * Big City Burgers & Greens, Des

Moines * Down Right Delicious, Clarinda * Elm’s Club, Creston * First Street Grille, Keosauqua * Ride’s Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge * Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids * The Cider House, Fairfield * The Ritz, Arnold’s Park * Zombie Burger, Des Moines Saucy Focaccia and The Cider House joined 102 other new restaurants at being nominated for the contest. Those two, along with Down Right Delicious, are also in the Top 10 for the first time. “The addition of new restaurants shows that Iowa restaurants know that burgers will always be a popular item on their menus. Restaurants love to make burgers and their customers love to eat them,” said Roger Brummett, a Bedford cattle producer who is also chairman of the Iowa

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Potato Cheese Soup Judy Obrecht, Harlan (Shelby County) 6 c. potatoes, diced 2 c. water 1 c. celery, diced 1 c. carrots, diced 1/2 c. onion, chopped Dash salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 4 c. milk 1/4 c. flour 1 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Creamy Rice Pudding Karen Harrington, LeMars (Plymouth County) 3/4 c. uncooked white rice 2 c. milk, divided 1/3 c. white sugar 1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c. golden or regular raisins 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. butter

Beef Industry Council. Iowa’s Best Burger contest now moves to the next stage. All Top Ten restaurants will be visited by judges who will evaluate the hamburgers based on taste, appearance, and proper serving temperature (160 degrees). “We’re really happy to promote Iowa restaurants who do a great job of serving beef,” said ICA President Phil Reemtsma, D.V.M., of DeWitt. “We have a lot in common. Cattle producers and local restaurants are both small business owners who have a great passion for food – either producing it or preparing it. And, both local restaurants and farmers are important to the economic well-being of hundreds of communities around the state.” “Although we won’t announce Iowa’s Best Burger until May 4, we encourage everyone to stop at one of the Top Ten restaurants for a burger,” Brummett said. “This year we have a good representation across the state, which shows Iowans have a very special place in their heart for burgers. The burger is the all–American classic served in almost every restaurant from the local café to the finest white tablecloth establishment.” To continue to learn more about the contest, you can visit www.iabeef.org where you’ll find a map showing the locations of the Top Ten restaurants, or “friend” the Iowa Beef Council Facebook© page. Last year, Brick City Grill of Ames took home the final prize. Winners in previous years are: 2013 - 61 Chop House Grille, Mediapolis; 2012 - Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011 - Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010 - Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

A Williamsburg student with a chick during the 2014 Egg in the Classroom program.

Egg in the Classroom SUBMITTED BY IOWA It’s that time of the year again... it’s EGG in the Classroom time! This year Iowa County Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom chairperson Dawn Driscoll is expanding the program to more schools and has scheduled an egg orientation night on Thursday, March 26. Teachers and FFA advisors who are interested in doing the program have been invited to attend this informational meeting. Dawn will be giving out the in-

cubators, going over all the steps on how to hatch out the eggs, and present different studies that can be incorporated into the egg unit. She will have the teachers who have had success in the past give their tips so that this year we can have lots of “chicks” in each classroom. If you know of any teachers who would like to be part of this program please contact the Iowa County Farm Bureau office at 319668-1331, ext. 4.

Sammy Kershaw to play Linn County Fair SUBMITTED BY LINN The Linn County Fair presents Sammy Kershaw in concert on Friday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Linn County Fair grandstands. This is an all-ages show. Opener is up-and-coming national country act Madd Hoss Jackson. Ticket information: Tickets for the concert are online and can be purchased by going to www.thelinncountyfair.com. Tickets prior to concert are $18 or $20 day of show. Concert location: The Linn County Fairgrounds are located 15 minutes north of Marion on the south end of Central City on the east side of Highway 13 at 201 Central City Road, Central City. For more information on the concert go to www.thelinncountyfair.com or email info@thelinncountyfair.com.

Sammy Kershaw

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 25, 2015

CENTRAL IOWA

Planting Alfalfa or Forages? Beck’s Elite Alfalfa varieties are eligible for a $25 per bag discount if ordered by March 31, 2015. For full details on all Beck’s alfalfa and forage products, call

BOONE . STORY . MARSHALL . DALLAS . POLK . JASPER . MADISON . WARREN . MARION

Bite into a healthy lifestyle with informed food choices during Nutrition Month SUBMITTED BY BOONE March is Nutrition Month and an eating pattern that meets your nutrient needs within calorie limits is vital to maintaining good health and quality of life. That’s why the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging everyone to ‘Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle’ with informed choices. “A healthy lifestyle is so much more than just eating more fruits and vegetables and getting your physical activity. It’s important, but it is also essential to make informed food choices based on your individual health and nutrient needs,” says registered dietitian and health and wellness program specialist Holly VanHeel. “Knowing which foods contain the nutrients your body needs and how they fit into your healthy eating plan is all part of making informed food choices. The

other part of a healthy lifestyle is balancing our eating plan with physical activity.” Age, gender, body type, family history, existing health conditions and daily routines all play a factor in determining which foods we should eat more of and which foods we should avoid. Making the right food and nutrition choices is a necessary part of biting into a healthy lifestyle. This year’s theme encourages consumers to adopt a healthy lifestyle that is focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health. For more helpful tips, games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, log into the Academy’s National Nutrition Month website at www.eatright.org.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Potato Cheese Soup Judy Obrecht, Harlan (Shelby County) 6 c. potatoes, diced 2 c. water 1 c. celery, diced 1 c. carrots, diced 1/2 c. onion, chopped Dash salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 4 c. milk 1/4 c. flour 1 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Creamy Rice Pudding Karen Harrington, LeMars (Plymouth County) 3/4 c. uncooked white rice 2 c. milk, divided 1/3 c. white sugar 1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c. golden or regular raisins 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. butter

800-937-2325

Boot Buckle Bash

These members of the Marshall County Jr. Beef Breeds Club recently hosted the “Boot Buckle Bash.” The evening event included a happy hour with different types of beef appetizers, ribeye steak dinner, live auction and dance. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to help with workshops, scholarships, awards and more. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.

Top 10 named for Iowa’s Best Burger contest SUBMITTED BY BOONE, MARSHALL, WARREN The nominations for Iowa’s Best Burger show that whether you live in a town of 1,000 people or in a metropolitan area of more than half a million people, great hamburgers are being served across the state. Iowans submitted more than 4,000 nomination votes between Feb. 11 and March 10 that selected the 2015 Top 10 restaurants and their burgers. In its sixth year, Iowa’s Best Burger contest received nominations for 286 Iowa restaurants. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that came in via online, texting and paper ballots. Those making the Top 10 list are (in alphabetical order): Ankeny Diner, Ankeny; Big City Burgers & Greens, Des Moines; Down Right Delicious, Clarinda; Elm’s Club, Creston; First Street Grille, Keosauqua; Ride’s Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge; Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids; The Cider House, Fairfield; The Ritz, Arnold’s Park; Zombie Burger, Des Moines. Saucy Focaccia and The Cider House joined 102 other new restaurants at being nominated for the contest. Those two, along with Down Right Delicious, are also in the Top 10 for the first time. “The addition of new restaurants shows that Iowa restaurants know that burgers will always be a popular item on their menus. Restaurants love to make burgers and their customers love to eat them,” said Roger Brummett, a Bedford cattle producer who is also chairman of the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Iowa’s Best Burger contest now moves to the next stage. All Top 10 restaurants will be visited by judges who will evaluate the hamburgers based on taste, appearance and proper serving temperature (160 degrees). “We’re really happy to promote Iowa restaurants who do a great job of serving beef,” said ICA

President Phil Reemtsma, D.V.M., of DeWitt. “We have a lot in common. Cattle producers and local restaurants are both small business owners who have a great passion for food – either producing it or preparing it. And, both local restaurants and farmers are important to the economic well-being of hundreds of communities around the state.” “Although we won’t announce Iowa’s Best Burger until May 4, we encourage everyone to stop at one of the Top 10 restaurants for a burger,” Brummett said. “This year we have a good representation across the state, which shows Iowans have a very special place in their heart for burgers. The burger is the all–American classic served in almost every restaurant from the local café to the finest white tablecloth establishment.” To continue to learn more about the contest, you can visit www.iabeef.org where you’ll find a map showing the locations of the Top 10 restaurants, or “friend” the Iowa Beef Council Facebook© page. Last year, Brick City Grill of Ames took home the final prize. Winners in previous years are: 2013- 61 Chop House Grille, Mediapolis; 2012Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011- Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010-Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 25, 2015

Planting Alfalfa or Forages?

SOUTH WEST IOWA

HARRISON . SHELBY . AUDUBON . GUTHRIE . ADAIR . CASS . WEST POTTAWATTAMIE . EAST POTTAWATTAMIE . MILLS MONTGOMERY . ADAMS . UNION . CLARKE . LUCAS . FREMONT . PAGE . TAYLOR . RINGGOLD . DECATUR . WAYNE

Beck’s Elite Alfalfa varieties are eligible for a $25 per bag discount if ordered by March 31, 2015. For full details on all Beck’s alfalfa and forage products, call

800-937-2325

Outdoors Woman Workshop planned SUBMITTED BY LUCAS The popular Iowa Becoming an Outdoors Woman program is taking registrations for its second annual workshop at Honey Creek Resort State Park. The two-and-a-half-day event will be held April 24-26, 2015. “We are inviting women to welcome spring with some new-found outdoor skills they can learn at our workshop,” says Julie Sparks, coordinator of the Iowa BOW program. Participants can select from a menu of classes that include introduction to firearms, biking, fishing, kayaking, Dutch oven cooking, geocaching, archery, basic shooting, birdwatching, motor boating and landscaping for wildlife. “We are also offering a wild game cooking class taught by Honey Creek Resort’s own Chef Bob and have two opportunities for participants to learn about wild turkeys and turkey hunting,” says Sparks. “The area has his-

torically been an excellent location for spring turkey hunting and participants can learn more about the sport and maybe even call in some gobblers.” Honey Creek Resort is located on the shores of Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County and offers spacious guest rooms, scenic nature trails, an indoor waterpark and whirlpool, Rathbun Lakeshore Grille & Lounge and other amenities associated with a quality resort experience. Cost of the spring workshop is $250 for a single occupancy room and $200 for double occupancy. The fee includes instruction, program materials, equipment use, meals and lodging. Registration is limited to 75 participants and women are encouraged to register as soon as possible. The deadline for registration without a late-fee penalty is April 3. Registration materials and more information can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/ bow.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Potato Cheese Soup Judy Obrecht, Harlan (Shelby County) 6 c. potatoes, diced 2 c. water 1 c. celery, diced 1 c. carrots, diced 1/2 c. onion, chopped Dash salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 4 c. milk 1/4 c. flour 1 c. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Creamy Rice Pudding Karen Harrington, LeMars (Plymouth County) 3/4 c. uncooked white rice 2 c. milk, divided 1/3 c. white sugar 1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten 2/3 c. golden or regular raisins 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 Tbsp. butter

Lenox FFA members at the Southwest District contest on March 7 were, from left: Kaleb David, Cameron Nelson, Katelyn Belding, Zach Marxen, Jessica Anderson and Jordan David.

Lenox FFA members participate in contests SUBMITTED BY PAGE/TAYLOR Five Lenox FFA members attended Sub-District Contests on Feb. 5. Contests were held at South Page High School in College Springs. Hannah Mitchell competed in the Job Interview contest and received a Bronze rating. Zach Marxen participated in the Ag Broadcasting contest and will advance to Districts with a Gold rating. Kaleb David, Jessica Anderson and Katelyn Belding participated in the Greenhand Quiz competition

and received the top three scores at the event! Six Lenox FFA members attended the Iowa Beef Expo Livestock Judging Contest on Feb. 8. Members participating were Jordan David, Josh Mitchell, Cameron Nelson, Grant Miller, Kaleb David and Colton Hogan. Josh Mitchell was our highest-placing individual placing 56th out of more than 130 participants in the 4-H and FFA Division. On Saturday, March 7, six Lenox

FFA members attended Southwest District Contests in Manning. Zach Marxen competed in the Ag Broadcasting CDE and received a Bronze rating. Jessica Anderson, Katelyn Belding and Kaleb David participated in the Greenhand Quiz competition. They all received a Gold rating. Jordan David and Cameron Nelson served as chapter delegates during the business session. Lenox FFA members will attend the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames in April.

Top 10 named for Iowa’s Best Burger contest SUBMITTED BY FREMONT/ MILLS, RINGGOLD, UNION The nominations for Iowa’s Best Burger show that whether you live in a town of 1,000 people or in a metropolitan area of more than half a million people, great hamburgers are being served across the state. Iowans submitted more than 4,000 nomination votes between Feb. 11 and March 10 that selected the 2015 Top 10 restaurants and their burgers. In its sixth year, Iowa’s Best Burger contest received nominations for 286 Iowa restaurants. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association counted the nominations that came in via online, texting and paper ballots. Those making the Top 10 list are (in alphabetical order): Ankeny Diner, Ankeny; Big City Burgers & Greens, Des Moines; Down Right Delicious, Clarinda; Elm’s Club, Creston; First Street Grille, Keosauqua; Ride’s Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge; Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids; The Cider House, Fairfield; The Ritz, Arnold’s Park; Zombie Burger, Des Moines.