Aream112015 by Iowa Farm Bureau

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 11, 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.

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IFBF Young Farmer trip to Chicago, Indiana set for July 21 and 22

Members of the community came out to show their support for the Sibley-Ocheyedan FFA by attending the annual pancake breakfast.

FFA celebrates National FFA Week SUBMITTED BY OSCEOLA On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Sibley-Ocheyedan FFA Chapter held its annual pancake breakfast. More than 650 guests were served in the Ag shop starting at 6 a.m. and finishing at 2 p.m. Support-

ers, businesses, and faculty were served pancakes, little smokies and eggs, all provided at no cost. The pancake breakfast is something the FFA chapter does to thank the community for its support of the Sibley-Ocheyedan FFA program.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Cabbage Salad Iona Reeves, Lansing (Allamakee County) 1 medium head cabbage, shredded 2 stalks celery, diced to taste 1 small onion, diced to taste 1 carrot, shredded to taste Dressing: 1/2 c. vinegar 1/2 c. water 1 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt Turmeric to taste, optional 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 Tbsp. mustard seed

Toss together cabbage, celery, onion and carrot in a large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients, and bring to a boil. Pour over cabbage mixture, and stir well. Store in refrigerator. The longer it stands, the better the flavor.

Sour Creme Raisin Pie Opal Glider, Hiawatha (Linn County) 1 c. raisins 2 eggs, separated 1 c. white sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla Pinch of salt 1 c. sour cream 1 baked pie shell

In a small saucepan, add enough water to cover raisins. Cook raisins for about 10-15 minutes or until water is absorbed. While raisins are cooking, mix egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, vanilla and salt. Add sour cream last. Pour sour cream mixture quickly into hot raisins, stirring immediately. Cook until pudding-like consistency. Pour into baked pie shell. Cover with a meringue topping. Bake in 375 degrees Fahrenheit oven until meringue is nicely browned.

Easy Beer Bread Patty Grove, Ames (Story County) 3 c. self-rising flour 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 (12-oz.) can of beer

Mix ingredients together, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 50 minutes. (Can drizzle with butter on top with about 10 minutes of bake time left.)

oung Farm Bureau members are invited to participate in an informative trip on July 21-22. The educational trip, organized by Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), will allow young farmers to view trading activity at the Chicago Board of Trade building, hear a special presentation from a market participant, and tour Fair Oaks Farms–a farm specifically organized to tell the story of agriculture. The trip focuses on risk management and telling ag’s story. Unique opportunities like this to view open-outcry pit trading are evaporating. Electronic trading is now the dominant method of trade for futures contracts. The CME Group has announced that it will close most of its futures trading pits in Chicago and New York by July 2. On this trip, participants will be able to see options traded in the pits. Another current issue is the desire by farmers to “tell the story” of farming and Fair Oaks Farms is a pioneer in the area. Many excellent methods of educating the non-farm public are used at Fair Oaks. This trip is ideal for young farmers interested in price discovery, risk management and telling ag’s story.

Leaving July 21

A chartered bus will leave the Iowa Farm Bureau building in West Des Moines on July 21. A stop will be made for a group lunch and to pick up more participants in Coralville. The evening of the first day can be used for Chicago sightseeing. The group will be staying at the Inn of Chicago (near the Magnificent Mile) in downtown Chicago. The second day will start at the Visitor’s Gallery at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) building. Participants will be viewing the trading action and learn current market information. The trip is a rare opportunity to learn about markets and view open-outcry markets in action on the same day. After the CBOT building, the members will visit Fair Oaks Farms, the biggest agri-tourism attraction in the U.S. Time will be spent experiencing how this innovative group of farmers has put together a working farm that shows the non-farm public a modern view of agriculture.

Visiting Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Activities will include the Dairy and Pig Adventures

with opportunity to see firsthand how agriculture is promoted. The group will have lunch at Fair Oaks and return from there to Iowa. The pre-paid fee for the trip is $110 per person. The participant fee and sponsors cover bus costs, any group lunches and lodging expenses in Chicago. Participants will be responsible for meals during travel (except for group lunches in Coralville and at Fair Oaks Farms). The trip is designed to accommodate 50 young Farm Bureau members from 19 to 35 years of age. Members will participate in the trip on a first-come-first served basis and the registration deadline is June 10. Preference will be given to first-time young member trip participants. The trip is supported by the IFBF Research & Commodity Services Division and the IFBF Young Farmer Committee. Registration for the trip is on-line. To register, go to www.iowafarmbureau and click on the 2015 Young Farmer Trip picture. Payment is by credit card or check and registration is not final until payment is received in the Iowa Farm Bureau office. If you have questions regarding the trip, please contact Ed Kordick, ekordick@ifbf.org.

Special screening of ‘FARMLAND’ March 18 SUBMITTED BY BUENA VISTA, CRAWFORD, LYON, SIOUX, WOODBURY he Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation is pleased to announce that to help celebrate National Ag Day 2015 they will be hosting a special screening of the film “FARMLAND.” You can view the trailer for the film here: http://youtu.be/M3Nhs7of64c The screening will be held March 18 at the Weikert Auditorium in Buhler Hall on Morningside College campus in Sioux City, Iowa located at 1501 Morningside Ave. There will be appetizers and refreshments served prior to the screening starting at 5 p.m. The 45 minute film will begin

at 6 p.m. and be followed by a short panel discussion featuring area farmers, conservationists, social media experts and other panelists. To join in this exciting event please follow the link below to RSVP. There is no cost to the

event. You may also search Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation on Facebook and follow this link from there! h t t p s : / / a p p . e t a p e s t r y. c o m / onlineforms/IowaAgricultureLiteracyFounda/IALFfarmland. html

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 11, 2015

+6.4 Bu./A. ADVANTAGE

SOUTH EAST IOWA

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

In Beck’s 2014 Practical Farm Research (PFR)® study, Flo-Rite seed firmers showed a 6.4 Bu./A. yield advantage for corn. The key to this increase is exceptional depth control and seed-to-soil contact from the Flo-Rite seed firmers, providing more consistent stands.

www.Flo-Rite.com Practical Farm Research (PFR)® is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

Beginning Farmer IFBF Young Farmer trip to Chicago, Indiana set for July 21 and 22 Workshop/Seminar scheduled SUBMITTED BY APPANOOSE, MONROE The seminar will provide information on beginning farmer programs from the Iowa Agricultural Development Division of the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach and the United States Department of Agriculture -Farm Service Agency. Steve Ferguson, Iowa Ag Development Specialist, will present information about Iowa’s programs, including the Beginning Farmer Loan Program, the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit for landowners and the Department of Natural Resources new Beginning Farmer Leasing Program. Charles Brown, ISU Extension Farm Management

Field Specialist, will discuss farm business analysis, financial statements, how asset purchase choices affect profit potential and how financial efficiency affects the ability to cash flow an operation. Doug Brown, Farm Service Agency, will review the USDA’s farm loan programs for beginning farmers. There will be time for questions after the presentations. The seminar will be held Tuesday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at the IHCC Bioprocessing Center, 17601 Monroe-Wapello Road, Eddyville (across the county line road east of Cargill, Inc.). Space is limited. If you plan to attend or have questions, contact: Doug Brown at 641-932-7134 (Monroe-Appanoose FSA Office) or email J.Douglas.Brown@ia.usda.gov.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Young Farm Bureau members are invited to participate in an informative trip on July 21-22. The educational trip, organized by Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), will allow young farmers to view trading activity at the Chicago Board of Trade building, hear a special presentation from a market participant, and tour Fair Oaks Farms–a farm specifically organized to tell the story of agriculture. The trip focuses on risk management and telling ag’s story. Unique opportunities like this to view open-outcry pit trading are evaporating. Electronic trading is now the dominant method of trade for futures contracts. The CME Group has announced that it will close most of its futures trading pits in Chicago and New York by July 2. On this trip, participants will be able to see options traded in the pits. Another current issue is the desire by farmers to “tell the story” of farming and Fair Oaks Farms is a pioneer in the area. Many excellent methods of educating the non-farm public are used at Fair Oaks. This trip is ideal for young farmers interested in price discovery, risk management and telling ag’s story.

Leaving July 21

Visiting Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Activities will include the Dairy and Pig Adventures with

opportunity to see first-hand how agriculture is promoted. The group will have lunch at Fair Oaks and return from there to Iowa. The pre-paid fee for the trip is $110 per person. The participant fee and sponsors cover bus costs, any group lunches and lodging expenses in Chicago. Participants will be responsible for meals during travel (except for group lunches in Coralville and at Fair Oaks Farms). The trip is designed to accommodate 50 young Farm Bureau members from 19 to 35 years of age. Members will participate in the trip on a first-come-first served basis and the registration deadline is June 10. Preference will be given to first-time young member trip participants. The trip is supported by the IFBF Research & Commodity Services Division and the IFBF Young Farmer Committee. Registration for the trip is online. To register, go to www.iowafarmbureau and click on the 2015 Young Farmer Trip picture. Payment is by credit card or check and registration is not final until payment is received in the Iowa Farm Bureau office. If you have questions regarding the trip, please contact Ed Kordick, ekordick@ifbf.org.

1/2 tsp. salt Turmeric to taste, optional 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 Tbsp. mustard seed

Sour Creme Raisin Pie Opal Glider, Hiawatha (Linn County) 1 c. raisins 2 eggs, separated 1 c. white sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla Pinch of salt 1 c. sour cream 1 baked pie shell

Easy Beer Bread Patty Grove, Ames (Story County) 3 c. self-rising flour 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 (12-oz.) can of beer

Mix ingredients together, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 50 minutes. (Can drizzle with butter on top with about 10 minutes of bake time left.)

Some person or persons driving a vehicle with a heavy bumper destroyed the hard work of many volunteers and Camping site marker posts are almost all broken off at have made the campgrounds almost unusable at Shimek Shagbark Lake campground and the Lick Creek campForrest. grounds.

Vandalism in Shimek State Forest SUBMITTED BY DES MOINES, HENRY, LEE, VAN BUREN This past weekend (March 1), some person or persons driving a vehicle with a heavy bumper destroyed the hard work of many volunteers and cost all of us taxpayers several thousand dollars in materials and damaged trails and have made the campgrounds almost unusable at Shimek Forrest. Friends of Shimek Secretary Lora Conrad announced this destruction to Friends of Shimek volunteers with a heavy heart. She said: “We have all tried very hard to improve

the facilities at Shimek with the help and extra funding from DNR, grants and donations of individuals. This mindless destruction is disgusting. Someone in the community is likely to know who committed these acts of destruction. The White Oak campground had the kiosk knocked down and numerous posts broken off at the ground. The worst damage was done Sunday afternoon after the snow quit when the vandals drove through the Shagbark Lake campground and the Lick Creek campgrounds and broke off 32 6-inch diameter site marker posts, broke

through trail barriers and drove on the trails with their vehicle. ATV tracks were also found. DNR staff estimate the materials cost alone at over $2,000 plus several thousand dollars in labor. Anyone knowing who might have done this is urged to contact the Sherriff’s Office or contact the DNR Shimek office at 319-878-3811. Conrad added, “Friends of Shimek board members and volunteers are dismayed to realize we have vandals destroying what we are working to have for all community members who like to hike or ride horses.”

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 11, 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

Iowa State helps develop app for recording pesticide applications SUBMITTED BY CLAYTON Meeting state and federal pesticide record-keeping requirements can be as easy as pulling out a smartphone or tablet for producers and agribusinesses, thanks to an app Iowa State University helped develop. The Pesticide Safety Education Program at Iowa State worked on the Pesticide and Field Records app for iOS and Android systems with funding from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Environmental Protection Agency. It is available at no charge from the iTunes store (Pesticide and Field Records Plus) and Google Play (Pesticide and Field Records). The ISU Extension and Outreach program, formerly known as the Pest Management and the Envi-

ronment Program, is working with the developers to improve the app’s usefulness and features, said Kristine Schaefer, program manager and extension program specialist. The app is designed to help producers and agricultural businesses record and maintain pesticide application information. It allows users to document pesticide application information and link the information to specific field locations using satellite mapping. The app also features a product search option that lists EPA product registration numbers and identifies restricted use products. The iPad version, and an updated release of the Android version scheduled for late February, includes printing and emailing capabilities.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

1/2 tsp. salt Turmeric to taste, optional 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 Tbsp. mustard seed

Sour Creme Raisin Pie Opal Glider, Hiawatha (Linn County) 1 c. raisins 2 eggs, separated 1 c. white sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla Pinch of salt 1 c. sour cream 1 baked pie shell

Easy Beer Bread Patty Grove, Ames (Story County) 3 c. self-rising flour 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 (12-oz.) can of beer

Mix ingredients together, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 50 minutes. (Can drizzle with butter on top with about 10 minutes of bake time left.)

www.FARMserver.com

IFBF Young Farmer trip to Chicago, Indiana set for July 21 and 22 Young Farm Bureau members are invited to participate in an informative trip on July 21-22. The educational trip, organized by Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), will allow young farmers to view trading activity at the Chicago Board of Trade building, hear a special presentation from a market participant, and tour Fair Oaks Farms–a farm specifically organized to tell the story of agriculture. The trip focuses on risk management and telling ag’s story. Unique opportunities like this to view open-outcry pit trading are evaporating. Electronic trading is now the dominant method of trade for futures contracts. The CME Group has announced that it will close most of its futures trading pits in Chicago and New York by July 2. On this trip, participants will be able to see options traded in the pits. Another current issue is the desire by farmers to “tell the story” of farming and Fair Oaks Farms is a pioneer in the area. Many excellent methods of educating the non-farm public are used at Fair Oaks. This trip is ideal for young farmers interested in price discovery, risk management and telling ag’s story.

Leaving July 21

Visiting Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Activities will include the Dairy

and Pig Adventures with opportunity to see first-hand how agriculture is promoted. The group will have lunch at Fair Oaks and return from there to Iowa. The pre-paid fee for the trip is $110 per person. The participant fee and sponsors cover bus costs, any group lunches and lodging expenses in Chicago. Participants will be responsible for meals during travel (except for group lunches in Coralville and at Fair Oaks Farms). The trip is designed to accommodate 50 young Farm Bureau members from 19 to 35 years of age. Members will participate in the trip on a first-come-first served basis and the registration deadline is June 10. Preference will be given to first-time young member trip participants. The trip is supported by the IFBF Research & Commodity Services Division and the IFBF Young Farmer Committee. Registration for the trip is on-line. To register, go to www.iowafarmbureau and click on the 2015 Young Farmer Trip picture. Payment is by credit card or check and registration is not final until payment is received in the Iowa Farm Bureau office. If you have questions regarding the trip, please contact Ed Kordick, ekordick@ifbf.org.

Making the cut SUBMITTED BY ALLAMAKEE, WINNESHIEK Which is better at preventing a foodborne illness outbreak—a wooden or plastic cutting board? This is a long-standing food safety question. Some research suggests wood is a better option, because the pores in the wood can trap and immobilize bacteria, which then die. Other studies, however, suggest bacteria absorbed in wooden boards can in fact survive and could possibly multiply and re-contaminate the surface in the future, making plastic seem superior. The take-away message is that all cutting boards, plastic or wooden, can be sources of contamination. To help prevent contamination, your

cutting board needs to be clean and in good condition. Here are some tips. After each use, scrub your cutting board in hot, soapy water, then rinse and allow to air dry. Using the dishwasher to clean plastic and solid wooden boards is fine, but laminated boards can crack in the dishwasher. Wooden and plastic cutting boards can be disinfected with a bleach solution (1 tablespoon traditional regular chlorine bleach [6 percent sodium hypochlorite] per gallon of water or 2 teaspoons concentrated bleach per gallon of water). Pour solution over the surface and let sit for at least one minute; then rinse well and air dry. It is time to get a new cutting

board if your board has cracks, crevices, chips or grooves where bacteria can hide. Designate one cutting board for raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and another for vegetables, fruits, breads and other ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross-contamination. For more information, visit the Iowa Food Safety website, www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/ Find additional resources for your health and well-being in the recent edition of the “Words on Wellness” (WOW) newsletter from ISU Extension and Outreach. The WOW newsletter, as well as other free email newsletters, are available from your county ISU Extension and Outreach office.

Conservation bus tour of Cedar Valley watershed set for March 20 The Cedar River Watershed Coalition is sponsoring a bus tour of agricultural conservation practices in the Middle Cedar watershed on March 20. The tour, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be an opportunity to hear from farmers employing practices such as bioreactors, strip-till, and cover crops, and to learn about partnerships underway to improve water quality. The tour will start and end at

Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo (1501 East Orange Rd, Waterloo, IA 50701). The tour will also include: • A presentation from Sean McMahon, of the Iowa Agricultural Water Alliance • An update from the City of Cedar Rapids on the Middle Cedar Partnership Program • Information on water quality monitoring, from the Iowa Soybean

Association • Visits to several farms to learn about practices to reduce nutrients and runoff •Lunch at Hickory Hills Park, sponsored by Iowa Corn Growers Registration is required for the tour. Registration closes March 13. To register contact Mary Beth Stevenson, Iowa-Cedar River Basin coordinator at (319) 325-8593 or marybeth.stevenson@dnr.iowa.gov

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 11, 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

www.FARMserver.com

IFBF Young Farmer trip to Chicago, Indiana set for July 21-22 of farming and Fair Oaks Farms is a pioneer in the area. Many excellent methods of educating the nonfarm public are used at Fair Oaks. This trip is ideal for young farmers interested in price discovery, risk management and telling ag’s story.

Leaving July 21

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

1/2 tsp. salt Turmeric to taste, optional 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 Tbsp. mustard seed

Sour Creme Raisin Pie Opal Glider, Hiawatha (Linn County) 1 c. raisins 2 eggs, separated 1 c. white sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla Pinch of salt 1 c. sour cream 1 baked pie shell

Easy Beer Bread Patty Grove, Ames (Story County) 3 c. self-rising flour 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 (12-oz.) can of beer

Mix ingredients together, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 50 minutes. (Can drizzle with butter on top with about 10 minutes of bake time left.)

on the same day. After the CBOT building, the members will visit Fair Oaks Farms, the biggest agri-tourism attraction in the U.S. Time will be spent experiencing how this innovative group of farmers has put together a working farm that shows the non-farm public a modern view of agriculture.

Visiting Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Activities will include the Dairy and Pig Adventures with opportunity to see first-hand how

agriculture is promoted. The group will have lunch at Fair Oaks and return from there to Iowa. The pre-paid fee for the trip is $110 per person. The participant fee and sponsors cover bus costs, any group lunches and lodging expenses in Chicago. Participants will be responsible for meals during travel (except for group lunches in Coralville and at Fair Oaks Farms). The trip is designed to accommodate 50 young Farm Bureau members from 19 to 35 years of age. Members will participate in the trip on a first-come-first served basis and the registration deadline

is June 10. Preference will be given to first-time young member trip participants. The trip is supported by the IFBF Research & Commodity Services Division and the IFBF Young Farmer Committee. Registration for the trip is on-line. To register, go to www.iowafarmbureau and click on the 2015 Young Farmer Trip picture. Payment is by credit card or check and registration is not final until payment is received in the Iowa Farm Bureau office. If you have questions regarding the trip, please contact Ed Kordick, ekordick@ifbf.org.

Horticulture hints BY YVONNE MCCORMICK SUBMITTED BY HUMBOLDT

Shamrocks: an ode to the Irish

A symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, shamrock plants are found in nurseries and stores around this time of year. You certainly don’t have to be Irish to enjoy this plant in your home. As well as a symbol of good luck, shamrocks plants are also thought of as a sign of spring and rebirth. Shamrock plants come in green, red or purple leaved varieties. Their clover shaped leaflets will fold up at night or during overcast days. The leaves will then open again with the next morning’s sun. This opening and shutting of leaves in a plant is called nyctinastic movements. The shamrock plant is in the Oxalis family and grows from a bulb. Most often, people purchase shamrocks already planted and growing, but bulbs can be purchased on the web or in mail order catalogs. Bulbs can be planted in the fall for

springtime growth. Place plants in a bright sunny window. If plants become too tall, this indicates more light is needed. When a plant stretches to receive more light, in horticulture terms this is called stem elongation. If this happens, move the pot to a window that receives more sunlight. The soil should be kept barely moist; yellowing leaves may be an indication of overwatering. To avoid overwatering, remove any retained water from the pot dish or saucer. Letting soil dry out slightly between each watering is also a good recommendation. Keep the plant away from direct heat, as shamrocks prefer cooler temperatures, especially when blooming. Temperatures above 75 degrees may cause leaves to wilt and dieback prematurely. Shamrock plants need a period of rest two or three times a year. The first sign a plant is entering a period of rest, or going dormant, is when leaf dieback occurs. Many folks think the plant has died, and throw

it out. But instead, when dieback occurs, stop watering and fertilizing. Trim off the dead foliage, then move the pot to a cool, dark location. After two to three months, watch for new foliage to start emerging. Move the plant to a sunny window and begin watering and fertilizing. Shamrocks have a small root system and like to be crowded in the pot, so you should not need to worry about repotting. Your plant will then start to begin life anew; a shamrock plant can actually live for many years, when provided with the proper care. Did you know? Fertilizing houseplants should only be done during periods of active growth. This is why it is recommended not to fertilize houseplants in the winter. When spring arrives and light levels increase, plants will begin growing and fertilization can begin again. Be sure to follow label directions, to avoid over fertilization. Gardening questions? Contact McCormick at yvonne@iastate.edu for information or advice.

Healthy meals in a hurry SUBMITTED BY HUMBOLDT Learn to cut the sodium in your diet and make smart food choices and quick meals by preparing food ahead of time for ready-to-use convenience later. Each participant

will receive the Healthy Meals in a Hurry publication that features recipes for 14 main dishes that are low in fat and sodium but high in taste. The workshop will be held Thursday, March 26, from noon

to 1 p.m. at the Humboldt County Extension Office located at 727 Sumner Ave. in Humboldt. Please register by March 23 by calling 515-332-2201 or email erinped@ iastate.edu.

Wetland determination and drainage projects informational meeting scheduled SUBMITTED BY HANCOCK, KOSSUTH, WINNEBAGO What you don’t know about wetland determinations during tile projects can hurt you. Wetland regulations can threaten your private property rights. Learn how to protect yourself. Join us on Thursday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at the old school gym in Burt to gain in-

formation about how to protect your private property rights when wetland determinations are conducted during county or private tile projects. National experts on drainage engineering, wetland law and property rights will present information and offer solutions for landowners and tenants. Congressman Steve King’s Ag Director, Merlin Bartz, will pres-

ent wetland regulatory insight. Local and state NRCS staff will attend, as will Kossuth County Supervisors who will address specific drainage issues. Please RSVP by March 16 by calling Sandy at 515-295-5309, ext. 1, or email Kossuth.county@ifbf.org. Arrive early to get a seat. Coffee and doughnuts will be served.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 11, 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

Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation annual meeting March 20

SUBMITTED BY CHICKASAW, HOWARD The annual meeting of the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation will be held on Friday, March 20, at Iowa’s Dairy Center in Calmar. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. The events for the day start at 11 a.m. and include a cooperative presentation by Dave Lawstuen, Michelle Elliott and Corey Meyer about the conservation efforts of the Dairy Foundation, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and the Winneshiek County Soil and Water Conservation District through the Turkey River Watershed Project. Chuck Gipp, Iowa DNR director, will also discuss and

answer questions about regulations facing Iowa livestock producers. There will be a meal at noon, followed by the annual meeting. The meeting includes the election of officers at 1:15 p.m. In addition, there will be displays from leading dairy industry businesses that support the Dairy Foundation. There is no cost for Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation members to attend the meeting; however, an RSVP is requested for lunch. If you are not a current member of the Dairy Foundation and would like to attend, please contact Megan at 563-534-9957, ext. 107, or email kregelm@nicc.edu and your membership can be set up.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

1/2 tsp. salt Turmeric to taste, optional 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 Tbsp. mustard seed

Sour Creme Raisin Pie Opal Glider, Hiawatha (Linn County) 1 c. raisins 2 eggs, separated 1 c. white sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla Pinch of salt 1 c. sour cream 1 baked pie shell

Easy Beer Bread Patty Grove, Ames (Story County) 3 c. self-rising flour 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 (12-oz.) can of beer

Mix ingredients together, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 50 minutes. (Can drizzle with butter on top with about 10 minutes of bake time left.)

www.FARMserver.com

Leaving July 21

Visiting Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Activities will include the

Dairy and Pig Adventures with opportunity to see first-hand how agriculture is promoted. The group will have lunch at Fair Oaks and return from there to Iowa. The pre-paid fee for the trip is $110 per person. The participant fee and sponsors cover bus costs, any group lunches and lodging expenses in Chicago. Participants will be responsible for meals during travel (except for group lunches in Coralville and at Fair Oaks Farms). The trip is designed to accommodate 50 young Farm Bureau members from 19 to 35 years of age. Members will participate in the trip on a first-come-first served basis and the registration deadline is June 10. Preference will be given to first-time young member trip participants. The trip is supported by the IFBF Research & Commodity Services Division and the IFBF Young Farmer Committee. Registration for the trip is on-line. To register, go to www.iowafarmbureau and click on the 2015 Young Farmer Trip picture. Payment is by credit card or check and registration is not final until payment is received in the Iowa Farm Bureau office. If you have questions regarding the trip, please contact Ed Kordick, ekordick@ifbf.org.

Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo (1501 East Orange Road, Waterloo, IA 50701). The tour will also include: • A presentation from Sean McMahon, of the Iowa Agricultural Water Alliance • An update from the City of Cedar Rapids on the Middle Cedar Partnership Program • Information on water quality monitoring, from the Iowa Soybean

Making the cut SUBMITTED BY CHICKASAW, HOWARD Which is better at preventing a foodborne illness outbreak—a wooden or plastic cutting board? This is a long-standing food safety question. Some research suggests wood is a better option, because the pores in the wood can trap and immobilize bacteria, which then die. Other studies, however, suggest bacteria absorbed in wooden boards can in fact survive and could possibly multiply and re-contaminate the surface in the future, making plastic seem superior. The take-away message is that all

cutting boards, plastic or wooden, can be sources of contamination. To help prevent contamination, your cutting board needs to be clean and in good condition. Here are some tips. After each use, scrub your cutting board in hot, soapy water, then rinse and allow to air dry. Using the dishwasher to clean plastic and solid wooden boards is fine, but laminated boards can crack in the dishwasher. Wooden and plastic cutting boards can be disinfected with a bleach solution (1 tablespoon traditional regular chlorine bleach [6 percent sodium hypochlorite] per gallon of water or

2 teaspoons concentrated bleach per gallon of water). Pour solution over the surface and let sit for at least one minute; then rinse well and air dry. It is time to get a new cutting board if your board has cracks, crevices, chips or grooves where bacteria can hide. Designate one cutting board for raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and another for vegetables, fruits, breads and other ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross-contamination. For more information, visit the Iowa Food Safety website, www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 11, 2015

+6.4 Bu./A. ADVANTAGE

EAST IOWA

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

www.Flo-Rite.com Practical Farm Research (PFR)® is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

Conservation bus IFBF Young Farmer trip to Chicago, tour of Cedar Valley Indiana set for July 21 and 22 watershed set for Leaving July 21 March 20 Water Alliance • An update from the City of Cedar Rapids on the Middle Cedar Partnership Program • Information on water quality monitoring, from the Iowa Soybean Association • Visits to several farms to learn about practices to reduce nutrients and runoff •Lunch at Hickory Hills Park, sponsored by Iowa Corn Growers Registration is required for the tour. Registration closes March 13. To register contact Mary Beth Stevenson, Iowa-Cedar River Basin coordinator at (319) 325-8593 or marybeth.stevenson@dnr. iowa.gov

The Cedar River Watershed Coalition is sponsoring a bus tour of agricultural conservation practices in the Middle Cedar watershed on March 20. The tour, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be an opportunity to hear from farmers employing practices such as bioreactors, strip-till, and cover crops, and to learn about partnerships underway to improve water quality. The tour will start and end at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo (1501 East Orange Road, Waterloo, IA 50701). The tour will also include: • A presentation from Sean McMahon, of the Iowa Agricultural

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Visiting Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Activities will include the Dairy and Pig Adventures with

1/2 tsp. salt Turmeric to taste, optional 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 Tbsp. mustard seed

Sour Creme Raisin Pie Opal Glider, Hiawatha (Linn County) 1 c. raisins 2 eggs, separated 1 c. white sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla Pinch of salt 1 c. sour cream 1 baked pie shell

Easy Beer Bread Patty Grove, Ames (Story County) 3 c. self-rising flour 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 (12-oz.) can of beer

Mix ingredients together, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 50 minutes. (Can drizzle with butter on top with about 10 minutes of bake time left.)

Shown, from left, are Shannon Bielicke, Extension Program Associate, Nathan Goedken, Monsanto District Sales Manager, Dewayne Klouda and Camie Marshek, County 4-H Youth Coordinator.

‘America’s Farmers Grow Communities’ supports 4-H SUBMITTED BY JOHNSON Johnson County 4-H was the recipient of the America’s Farmers Grow Communities campaign. In 2015, ag producers in 1,324 counties in 40 states were eligible to win a $2500 donation for a local non-profit. Grow Communities recognizes the important contributions

farmers make in rural America and is part of Monsanto’s effort to invest in agricultural communities across the nation. More than 89,000 farmers participated last year. Here in Johnson County, Dewayne Klouda and family were selected and they chose Johnson County 4-H as the recipient of the award. Johnson

County 4-H families and Iowa State University Extension & Outreach would like to thank Monsanto and the Klouda Family for their support of 4-H youth in Johnson County. The donation will be used to support youth costs for junior camps, state conference and intermediate trips.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 11, 2015

+6.4 Bu./A. ADVANTAGE

CENTRAL IOWA

www.Flo-Rite.com

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

Practical Farm Research (PFR)® is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

IFBF Young Farmer trip to Chicago, Indiana set for July 21- 22 ing and Fair Oaks Farms is a pioneer in the area. Many excellent methods of educating the non-farm public are used at Fair Oaks. This trip is ideal for young farmers interested in price discovery, risk management and telling ag’s story.

Leaving July 21

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

1/2 tsp. salt Turmeric to taste, optional 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 Tbsp. mustard seed

Sour Creme Raisin Pie Opal Glider, Hiawatha (Linn County) 1 c. raisins 2 eggs, separated 1 c. white sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla Pinch of salt 1 c. sour cream 1 baked pie shell

Easy Beer Bread Patty Grove, Ames (Story County) 3 c. self-rising flour 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 (12-oz.) can of beer

Mix ingredients together, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 50 minutes. (Can drizzle with butter on top with about 10 minutes of bake time left.)

After the CBOT building, the members will visit Fair Oaks Farms, the biggest agri-tourism attraction in the U.S. Time will be spent experiencing how this innovative group of farmers has put together a working farm that shows the non-farm public a modern view of agriculture.

Visiting Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Activities will include the Dairy and Pig Adventures with opportunity to see first-hand how agriculture is promot-

ed. The group will have lunch at Fair Oaks and return from there to Iowa. The pre-paid fee for the trip is $110 per person. The participant fee and sponsors cover bus costs, any group lunches and lodging expenses in Chicago. Participants will be responsible for meals during travel (except for group lunches in Coralville and at Fair Oaks Farms). The trip is designed to accommodate 50 young Farm Bureau members from 19 to 35 years of age. Members will participate in the trip on a first-come-first served basis and the registration deadline is June 10.

Preference will be given to first-time young member trip participants. The trip is supported by the IFBF Research & Commodity Services Division and the IFBF Young Farmer Committee. Registration for the trip is on-line. To register, go to www.iowafarmbureau and click on the 2015 Young Farmer Trip picture. Payment is by credit card or check and registration is not final until payment is received in the Iowa Farm Bureau office. If you have questions regarding the trip, please contact Ed Kordick, ekordick@ifbf.org.

Participants sought for tile water monitoring SUBMITTED BY JASPER, MARION In partnership with the Van Zante Creek Water Quality Improvement Project, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) continues to provide edge-of-field tile monitoring services for interested producers in the Van Zante Creek watershed. In 2014, ISA monitored 12 locations in the watershed and collected a total of 118 samples. In addition to free sampling services, each participant receives reports from the ISA including monthly analysis results and annual reports for their monitoring site(s) on their property.

The monitoring program is designed to help producers learn about the nitrate and phosphate levels in the water leaving their fields through subsurface tile drainage systems. The data will also help quantify the water quality benefits of conservation practices designed to improve water quality. The Van Zante Creek project is conducted in partnership with the Jasper and Marion Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Natural Resources Conservation Ser-

vice, the Iowa Soybean Association and Pathfinders RC&D. Van Zante Creek is one of 13 watershed demonstration projects funded in part through the Iowa Water Quality Initiative. Producers interested in participating in this free and confidential monitoring program should contact Terry McNeely at the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) at 641-842-5314, ext.112. To learn more about Iowa’s Water Quality Initiative and Nutrient Reduction Strategy, visit www.CleanWaterIowa.org.

ISU Extension offers farm financial planning support SUBMITTED BY BOONE It’s safe to say that financial management for farm families is unique. Farm income can be irregular and unpredictable. Bills must be paid, livestock fed and crops tended to. Taking care of a family’s needs can add stress. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering Farm Financial Planning, a program providing one-on-one financial support and advice to farmers. The program includes FINPACK, a computerized analysis of the farm business. It also offers useful referrals to ISU Extension and Outreach programs and outside services such as counseling or finance management courses. “FINPACK gives information to make more informed and profitable decisions for the future of a farm business,” said Ann Johanns, extension program specialist. “The farm financial planning program was initiated in the 1980s in response to the farm crisis. It continues to be available to give Iowans confidence with stressful issues, legal questions and financial concerns.” Any farmer who wants to understand a complete picture of their

farm financial situation, which many lenders are requiring before they will extend further credit, should consider the Farm Financial Planning program. The goal of the program is to help determine farm business needs, and whether or not future changes are desirable. As part of the program analysis, farm business operators will see at least three in-depth FINPACK business plans and how to implement alternatives like the addition, expansion or phasing out of a livestock operation, or buying, selling or renting land. Farm Financial Planning can also help evaluate ways to correct negative cash flow and profitability problems. A trained ISU Extension and Outreach associate meets with the family one to two times to get farm records and to discuss results of the FINPACK analysis in confidence and possible effects if changes are made. The extension associate may introduce other farm and family financial materials or information about outside sources of help. The service is available at no charge and is funded by the Agricultural Credit School, a program of

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Bankers Association. Farm Financial associates are parttime ISU Extension and Outreach employees trained in farm budgeting and financial analysis. They have farm backgrounds so they understand farming and the challenges it may bring. To set up an appointment, contact the Farm Financial Associates in your area: David Entriken, Webster City, 515-835-1565, dfe1943@yahoo. com; Jim Dane, Iowa City, 319-3543963, jim@dane.org; Roger Stewart, Red Oak, 712-6236316, rogstewredoak@gmail.com; Mark Olsen, Newell, 712-6601597, olsenmanagement@windstream.net; Tom Olsen, Newell, 712-2723232, tomolsen@windstream.net. For more information, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist in your county office at www.extension.iastate. edu/ag/farm-management-0. Or contact the Beginning Farmer Center at 877-232-1999.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

MARCH 11, 2015

+6.4 Bu./A. ADVANTAGE

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

www.Flo-Rite.com Practical Farm Research (PFR)® is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

IFBF Young Farmer trip to Chicago, Morel Mushroom Indiana set for July 21 and 22 Certification Workshops Leaving July 21 scheduled SUBMITTED BY LUCAS Interested in hunting and selling morel mushrooms in Iowa? If so, plan to take this three-hour class in April from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and be certified to sell morel mushrooms legally within the state of Iowa. “The purpose of the workshops is to help assure that mushrooms sold as morels in the state are actually morels,” said Mark Gleason of ISU Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, who is conducting the workshops. “People can be poisoned by eating mushrooms that are misidentified as morels.” To legally sell morel mushrooms in Iowa, sellers must complete a certification workshop on identifying morels and false morels. The certification lasts for three years.

Iowans who have not certified for three or more years must re-certify this year. Registration is open to out-of-state individuals. All three 2015 morel certification workshops will be held on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, at Room 106, in the Seed Science Building, located at the northwest corner of Wallace Road and Osborn Drive, on the following dates: Saturday, April 4, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 1-4 p.m. To register for the workshop by Monday, March 30, contact Mark Gleason at 515-294-0579 or email mgleason@iastate.edu. Participants should indicate which workshop they plan to attend. Cost is $50 per person, payable at the training. Cash or checks are accepted; no credit cards.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Visiting Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is half-way between Chicago and Indianapolis and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors annually. Activities will include the Dairy and Pig Adventures with

1/2 tsp. salt Turmeric to taste, optional 1/4 tsp. celery seed 1/4 Tbsp. mustard seed

Sour Creme Raisin Pie Opal Glider, Hiawatha (Linn County) 1 c. raisins 2 eggs, separated 1 c. white sugar 3 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla Pinch of salt 1 c. sour cream 1 baked pie shell

Easy Beer Bread Patty Grove, Ames (Story County) 3 c. self-rising flour 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 (12-oz.) can of beer

Mix ingredients together, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 50 minutes. (Can drizzle with butter on top with about 10 minutes of bake time left.)

John Rasmussen, Pottawattamie County Engineer, talked about roads, bridge weights and inspections and the changes coming to Iowa with the increased gas tax that started March 1.

Board of Supervisors meeting held

SUBMITTED BY EAST AND WEST POTTAWATTAMIE More than 20 people packed the board room Feb. 26 for the annual joint East and West Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau meeting with elected officials. Attending from West Pottawattamie County were Dave Brandt, Adam Sudmann, Fred Miller, Sherri Olsen and Regional Manager Michael Peiffer. East Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau attendees were Keith Hotz, Kevin Schnechinger, Aaron Schnepel, Mark Bentley, Chris

Perdue, Chris Turner and Regional Manager Ryan Steinfeldt. Pottawattamie County officials attending were Sheriff Jeff Danker; County Engineer John Rasmussen; County Treasurer Lea Voss; Finance Controller Becky Belt and Assistant Becky Lenihan; and Supervisors Lynn Grobe, Mel Houser and Tom Hanafan. Topics of discussion were county budget, roads/bridge conditions and updates, new gas tax and what it means for Pottawattamie County, jail

operations and capacity and officer numbers. As a grassroots organization, Farm Bureau strives to keep in touch with those whose actions affect all of the residents of our county. By hosting this meeting, they are able to keep well informed as well as give their opinions and concerns to the officials. East and West Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau would like to thank all of the officials for taking the time to meet with our board members.