Flapril2015 by Iowa Farm Bureau

FILL UP YOUR SALAD BOWL IOWA FARM FAMILY GROWS FRESH GREENS YEAR ROUND PAGE 4

Got a banjo? Then join the Hampton hoedown page 6

Southeast Iowa family blogs about life on the farm page 8

Cedar Rapids collaboration aims to protect water quality page 10

Don't let seasonal allergies keep you inside this spring

page 16

APRIL 2015

from the editor

BY DIRCK STEIMEL

WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN IOWA'S FUTURE Working together to solve challenges has always been a big part of who we are in Iowa. And in the April issue of Family Living, we’ve got some great examples of that Iowa tradition of collaboration. First, check out our article on Iowa communities and farmers working together to protect and improve the quality of their drinking water sources. Those collaborations, in all sizes and types of cities and towns, are helping communities meet federal standards for nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, hold down costs and build stronger and lasting relationships with farmers in their areas. Cooperation is creating a win-win situation for Iowa urban dwellers, rural residents and farmers. Another good example of Iowans working together is a new collaborative effort

to protect and enhance the habitat of the monarch butterfly. The collaboration, which includes farm and conservation organizations, state agencies, companies and Iowa State University, will take a science-based approach to bolster the monarch butterfly population and assist community-led implementation efforts.

winter and early spring. It’s just the thing to help bridge us to farmers market season.

Another good example of Iowa collaboration is a first-of-its-kind youth diplomacy initiative of Iowa and the country of Kosovo. The program is looking for Iowa families to host young people from Kosovo, an emerging democracy in the Balkan region of southern Europe. The goal is to plant the seeds of community involvement in the young visitors so they can become leaders in their own country.

Wherever your travels take you, let us know when you run across something new and interesting. We are always looking for good features and love to hear from our readers. You really are the best source of ideas for our articles.

We’ve got lots of other interesting features in this edition of Family Living. You want locally grown food? We catch up with Dallas County Farm Bureau members who have built a greenhouse and grow row upon row of salad greens, herbs and beefsteak tomatoes all through the

table of contents

How about local entertainment? You won’t go wrong with the monthly hoedown of old-time country music in Hampton.

You can reach us at (515) 225-5416 or email us at familyliving@ifbf.org. Hope to hear from you.

Dirck Steimel Editor

APRIL 2015

Features Volume 25 Number 4 A publication of the Iowa Farm Bureau for ag-supporting members.

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Dirck Steimel Senior Features Writer Teresa Bjork Photographer/Writer Gary Fandel IOWA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION Craig Hill, president; Joe Heinrich, vice-president; Denny Presnall, secretary-treasurer and executive director; Edward G. Parker, general counsel. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (District 1) Carlton Kjos, Decorah (2) Charlie Norris, Mason City; (3) Phil Sundblad, Albert City; (4) Doug Gronau, Vail; (5) Mark Buskohl, Grundy Center; (6) Nick Podhajsky, Traer; (7) Andrew Hora, Riverside; (8) Calvin Rozenboom, Oskaloosa; (9) Will Frazee, Emerson. Family Living (ISSN 1941-5486) is published monthly by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, P.O. Box 670, Iowa Falls, IA 50126. Subscription price of $2 per year for mailing in the continental USA included in the dues of Farm Bureau members in Iowa. Additional subscription fee required for mailing outside of the continental USA. Periodical postage paid at Iowa Falls, Iowa. Please send change of address to your county Farm Bureau office. Postmaster send address changes to Family Living, Spokesman Press, P.O. Box 670, Iowa Falls, IA 50126. Editorial offices for Family Living are located at the Iowa Farm Bureau, 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Contact Family Living at 515-225-5416. Copyright 2015

Do you have a story idea for Family Living? Please send us an email at familyliving@ifbf.org.

family living APRIL 2015

Four-season greens Think you can't find local produce yet? A Dallas County family opens a hydroponic greenhouse to grow lettuce, herbs and tomatoes year round. page 4 Hampton hoedown Grab a guitar or a banjo, or just sit in the audience if you prefer, at the monthly bluegrass hoedown in Hampton's Windsor Theater. page 6 Farm-fresh recipes A southwest Iowa family cooks up a food blog to share their favorite recipes and stories about life on the farm. page 8 Iowa hosts Kosovo students Iowa Sister States is seeking host families for Kosovo students through a citizen diplomacy initiative. page 11 Taking flight Iowa State University launches new initiative to help enhance the habitat for monarch butterflies in the state. page 14

Departments Member benefits Add some power to your spring yard and landscaping projects. Farm Bureau members can save on qualifying Case IH tractors and Scout utility vehicles. page 3 Iowa environment The City of Cedar Rapids has partnered with local farmers on a collaborative effort to improve water quality. page 10

Appetite for Iowa Save money on groceries and benefit the environment by reducing food waste at home. page 12 Healthy living Spring has finally arrived, but so have your seasonal allergies. Follow the doctor's orders to get relief from allergy symptoms. page 16 On the cover Dallas County Farm Bureau member Mike Phelan, co-owner of Beaver Creek Produce in Berkley, grows butterhead lettuce year round in his family's hydroponic greenhouse. Iowans can find Beaver Creek's lettuce, greens, herbs and tomatoes at central Iowa Hy-Vee stores and through the Iowa Food Co-op, based in Des Moines. Cover photo by Gary Fandel

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MAKE YOUR SPRING TO-DO LIST A LITTLE EASIER FARM BUREAU MEMBERS CAN SAVE ON CASE IH SCOUT UTILITY VEHICLES With the return of spring and warmer weather, it’s time to tackle those landscaping, gardening and yard clean-up projects on the top of your to-do list. Iowa Farm Bureau members can save $300 to $500 on the purchase of new qualifying Case IH tractors, Scout utility vehicles and hay equipment. The exclusive discount includes $300 member savings on the purchase of Farmall compact tractors (A and B), Case IH Scout utility vehicles, mower conditioners and round or small square balers. Members can save $500 on Farmall utility tractors (C, U and J series), Maxxum and Farmall 100A series tractors, large

square bales and self-propelled windrowers. Case IH has 61 dealership locations in Iowa. In order to qualify for the discount on Case IH equipment, Farm Bureau members must have their membership dues current and present a member verification certificate to their Case IH dealer before equipment delivery. The member verification certificate can be downloaded at www.fbverify.com/caseih. To learn more about the Case IH benefit or other benefits exclusive to Iowa Farm Bureau members, visit the Iowa Farm Bureau website at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

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STORY BY TERESA BJORK PHOTOS BY GARY FANDEL

YEAR-ROUND GREENS

FILL YOUR SALAD BOWL WITH IOWA-GROWN LETTUCE Brothers Mike and Tim Phelan, along with their families, opened a hydroponic greenhouse last spring in Berkley. Lettuce, herbs and tomatoes grow year round in the greenhouse, without soil, in the hydroponic production system. Customers can find Beaver Creek Produce butterhead lettuce at central Iowa Hy-Vee stores and through the Iowa Food Co-op in Des Moines. Morton_IFB_FamilyLiving_4.1.15_Layout 1 3/6/15 3:38 PM Page 1

A Dallas County Farm Bureau family builds a hydroponic greenhouse to grow lettuce, tomatoes and herbs.

or months now, Iowans have bundled up in layers of clothing and trudged through the snow, longing for a taste of summer.

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But the salad days of summer never end at the Beaver Creek Produce greenhouse in Berkley, just a few miles north of Perry in central Iowa.

the competition,” Phelan says. “I’ve had numerous produce managers tell me that people seek out Iowagrown items. They have a very loyal following.”

INSIDE THE GREENHOUSE grows row upon row of salad greens, herbs and beefsteak tomatoes.

IN ADDITION to managing the greenhouse, the Phelan family grows corn and soybeans in the summer months. Yet they were looking for an alternative crop to grow on their Century Farm to diversify their income.

“It’s just amazing. Even on a cold winter day, if the sun is out at all, it just adds so much natural heat to the greenhouse,” says Mike Phelan, a Dallas County Farm Bureau member and co-owner of Beaver Creek Produce. Brothers Mike and Tim Phelan, along with their families, opened the greenhouse in April 2014. Since then, the family has quickly found a market hungry for their Iowagrown lettuce and produce.

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CURRENTLY, ABOUT 26 Hy-Vee stores in central Iowa offer Beaver Creek Produce lettuce and herbs, with the distinctive “Grown in Iowa” sticker on the packaging — a sticker that Mike Phelan designed himself.

Phelan says hydroponic greenhouse production was appealing, in part, because his family could harvest a crop year round. Hydroponic greenhouses grow tomatoes, lettuce and other produce without soil. Instead, the plants are fed a steady trickle of nutrients through water that washes over their roots. The lettuce growing in the Beaver Creek Produce greenhouse looks like it’s planted in seamless gutters, with small flexible tubes pumping nutrient-rich water to the leafy greens.

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Continued from page 4 WHEN GROWING LETTUCE and tomatoes in the middle of an Iowa winter, keeping the greenhouse at the right temperature is vital, Phelan says.

Clockwise, from top left: It was 20 degrees outside, but inside the Beaver Creek Produce greenhouse, it was short-sleeve weather. Employees Ramiro Guzman and Rose De Guzman plant and harvest greens and herbs almost daily at the greenhouse. Co-owner Mike Phelan explains how the lettuce seeds are planted in rock wool, a porous fiber material. The seedlings are fed nutrient-rich water and are grown without soil. The roots of the greens grow down toward the water source.

The 12,600-foot-square greenhouse features in-floor heat that is set to 55 degrees, plus overhead propane heaters to provide supplemental heat when the outside temperatures drop below freezing. Yet the greenhouse heats up fast on sunny days, even in January. A weather station at the top of the greenhouse monitors the temperature inside and outside. WHEN THE GREENHOUSE starts to overheat, the climate-control system automatically turns on the fans and rolls out a sunshade above the plants. The hydroponic system is also automated, delivering the proper amount of nutrients to the plants exactly when they need it to optimize growth. But there’s still a lot of hands-on work required to keep the greenhouse running smoothly. Phelan compares their greenhouse opera-

and packaged with the roots still attached, so it lasts longer in the store and in customers’ fridges. tion to a dairy farm, where you have to work seven days a week because the cows (or in this case, the plants) don’t take a vacation. IN ORDER TO GROW lettuce on a continuous cycle, the Phelan family and their greenhouse staff, including two full-time and one part-time employee, plants seeds twice a week and harvests nearly every day. The lettuce, herbs and produce are packaged on site. Phelan delivers the produce personally to the Hy-Vee stores in a climate-controlled van, with license plates that read, “LETTUCE.” Phelan says he enjoys meeting the Hy-Vee produce managers and

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getting their feedback on what customers want. Last summer, Phelan decided to plant mint, just because he thought it looked neat in a seed catalog. WHEN HE TOLD THE produce managers about the mint, they all wanted it in their stores. Why? Because mint is a key ingredient in mojitos, a Cuban cocktail that’s all the rage among foodies. “We could hardly keep up (with demand) after that,” Phelan says. Beaver Creek Produce’s signature lettuce variety is butterhead, a dark-green lettuce that looks like a rosebud in greens. The butterhead lettuce is harvested

“THE BUTTERHEAD has been interesting. Especially in Iowa and the Midwest, everybody grew up on iceberg (lettuce), so it’s been a real experience educating everybody what it is and getting them to try it once,” Phelan says. “Once they do, we have a lot of repeat business. I’ve got stores actually saying that now they’ve got customers coming in and asking for it, which is neat, because we’ve seen it take off from nothing. There was really nothing comparable in their market before that.” The lettuce is sold in clamshell packaging instead of in bags and features a bright yellow-and-blue

Beaver Creek Produce label. The farm is named after Beaver Creek, which runs through the property, and the labels list a Berkley, Iowa, address. BERKLEY IS ACTUALLY an unincorporated town, and the farm sits in Perry’s zip code, Phelan notes. “We had a big debate when we got started (about the label), and I think I was the only one who said Berkley,” he recalls. “Everybody said, well, nobody knows where Berkley is. And I said, that’s just it. They will be curious, and they will find out.” And if you ever happen to be driving through Berkley, feel free to stop by and ask for a greenhouse tour, Phelan says. They plan to offer on-farm sales of their lettuce, herbs and tomatoes this summer.

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PICKIN' AND FIDDLIN' BLUEGRASS HOEDOWN BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN SONG music lovers fill the theater to jam at the Hampton Old Time Country Hoedown.

All are welcome to Hampton's country hoedown, whether you're a musician or a music lover.

FOR THE PAST two years, organizers Don and Judy Wrolson have

f you drive past the historic Windsor Theater in Hampton the first Monday night of the month, you won’t see crowds lining up to view a movie. That’s the night when old-time country music musicians and

STORY BY VALERIE VAN KOOTEN PHOTOS BY GARY FANDEL

brought together musicians for an informal jam session. It all started when Don began traveling to other cities to participate.

Above; Musicians Bill Hotchkiss of Huxley, Becky Gors of Waverly and Dale Boggus of Waverly join the impromptu bluegrass jam session at the Windsor Theater in Hampton. The theater hosts a bluegrass hoedown on the first Monday night of every month. The free event is open to the public, and anyone can bring an instrument to join in. Right: Don Wrolson of Hampton is one of the hosts of the Hampton hoedown.

“I was going 70 miles one way or another, but there was nothing here,” he says. “I decided we

needed to change that.” THE WINDSOR THEATER is closed on Monday nights, so theater management offered up their location for the sessions. And from the beginning, the hoedown proved that famous Iowa movie adage, “If you build it, he will come.” Crowds average 120 to 130 people each month who enjoy bluegrass, old country and gospel. In addition, 20 to 25 players typically show up. Some have never missed a month.

Marv Folkerts of Waverly jams on the harmonica while Wil Kuhlers of Belmond accompanies on guitar. Musicians from Iowa and Minnesota travel to Hampton for the monthly bluegrass hoedowns.

“The great part about these jams is that when it comes to players, you don’t know who’s going to come,” Don says. “We usually have several guitars, fiddles, harmonicas, mandolins, pianos and

accordions.” In fact, musicians come from an eight-county area, some from as far away as Des Moines and into southern Minnesota. Marv Folkerts of Waverly has been playing a harmonica for five years and hasn’t missed a hoedown yet. “THE PEOPLE ON stage give great compliments and confidence and are a great group of people to be involved with,” he says. Another musician, J.C. Scrutchfield, drives regularly from Albert Lea, Minn., to participate. “There are lots of folks like me who just want to play, and this gives them a great opportunity to do that,” he says. Musicians are both professional,

“WE LOVE SEEING people up there who are new musicians,” Don says.

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“They can sit in the back and play along and learn and contribute.” Another avenue for the musicians is getting to perform songs they’ve written themselves. “They get to play their music in front of 120 people, with 20 other people performing with them,” he says.

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“Seeing the joy of those performing as well as those who are listening makes it really worthwhile for all of us,” Don says.

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DON WORKS A day job in management at a local factory while his wife, Judy, owns the Cornerstone Cottage in Hampton. Attendees say they appreciate how hard the couple works to organize the hoedown and keep it a family-friendly event.

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semi-professional and amateur, Don says. There are people who play in bands for money, those who play at area nursing homes and other organizations and those who have rarely played in front of a crowd. They can be an 85-yearold self-taught musician or a 10-year-old just starting out. And they’re all welcome.

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Dawn Groszkruger participates as a musician at the hoedowns and is a member of a local band called Two Juhls and a Gem. She says Don is the most enthusiastic music lover she knows. “Don and Judy are welcoming and

Continued on page 7

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Hampton is the new home for the Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa’s (BMAI) annual festival. This year’s event, which will feature bluegrass musicians from across the Midwest, will be held May 7-9 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hampton. For more information, contact the BMAI at (641) 799-1442 or iowabluegrassmusic. gmail.com. Or check out the group’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/BluegrassMusicAssoc iationofIowa).

Continued from page 6 accommodating to both the musicians and the audience,” she says. “My husband attends as a listener every month and says he wouldn’t miss it.” THE HAMPTON OLD Time Country Hoedown takes place the first Monday night of each month at 6 p.m. at the Windsor Theater in Hampton. Performances last about three hours, and a concession stand is available. There is no charge to attend, though a freewill donation is collected, which goes to the restoration of the theatre. For more information, find the group on Facebook or call (641) 425-0909.

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Top left: Wil Kuhlers, standing, leads a song while Dawn Groszkruger, far left, strums along at the bluegrass hoedown in Hampton. Bottom left: Bill Hendron of Dumont adds to the melody. Bottom right: Linda and Bill Hendron of Dumont entertain the audience with a duet. The monthly Hampton hoedown draws about 120 audience members at the Windsor Theater.

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140179 L

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TERRI QUECK-MATZIE

A TASTE OF THE FARM LIFE SOUTHWEST IOWA FARM FAMILY COOKS UP A FOOD BLOG The women of the Herrick family "tell it like it is" about farm living on their blog.

t’s hard to say which seed sprouted first — the faith, the family, the farm. They are so intricately linked for the Herricks of rural Greenfield in Adair County. But the fruit that grows is for sharing — in the form of a blog called "The Gingham Apron."

son two years ago, they were in the middle of menu planning when the urge struck to compile the recipes and stories of a multigenerational family. The other women quickly joined in. The draft done, they set about publishing their work, but were told they needed an audience. So they decided to take on a blog to attract interest — and the site has become the new gem of the Iowa prairie.

Denise Herrick, her daughters Annie and Jenny, and daughtersin-law Shelby and Molly, offer an insider’s view of Iowa farm life and extended family that is quickly attracting followers. The blog is up to 500 hits a day. The Facebook page has nearly 350 likes. Move over "Pioneer Woman." These five plaid-gingham-apron-clad women have people tuning in for insight and inspiration and recipes.

“IT’S THE WAY we live,” says Annie. “It’s a reflection of how we all cook.” The recipes are all tested — some for generations, some by the family’s 10 grandchildren aged from just under 1 year to age 9. They’re not gourmet cooks, but they’re not homespun either. Cooking the long way makes little sense in today’s active lifestyle unless, of course, it’s a heritage recipe worthy of the extra attention.

“IT STARTED WHEN we decided to do a cookbook,” explains Denise. Helping Annie after the birth of her

“Our goal is to be authentic,” says Shelby. “This is who we really are and how we really live. This is an

"The Gingham Apron" food blog offers its readers a taste of farm and family life. The blog was created by Farm Bureau members, from left to right, Molly Herrick, Shelby Herrick, Jenny Herrick, Denise Herrick and Annie Boyd of rural Greenfield.

extended farm family in today’s world.”

can enjoy hosting events for occasions large and small.

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE of material. With five voices and five different perspectives, someone al ways has something to say. “But we don’t tell everything,” laughs Denise. Some things in toddler households are better left unsaid.

There are kids' activities. “Our kids are part of things,” says Denise. “They’re in the middle of things. They grow and learn with us.” Annie homeschools, and the blog offers suggestions for educational materials and field trips.

The blog highlights family gatherings, some of the most popular posts. “We get feedback on that,” says Annie. “People can’t believe we’re so close knit.” Generations often scatter these days. The Herricks show the entire family

THERE ARE OTHER homemaking tips as well. “We believe in providing a comfortable home filled with peace and beauty,” says Denise.

ed to be part of the effort. For the Herricks, faith in God is an essential part of farm life. “My husband, Stan, definitely has a sense of doing something important, something for others,” says Denise. So do sons, Bill and Joe, as they carry on the work of the farm. Annie’s husband, Shane Boyd, helps on weekends. “And we’re all too aware of how we are at the mercy of the weather and the markets. It would be pretty hard to do without faith,” adds Denise. There is also a built-in sense of grati-

There is a spiritual side, which Denise says they very much want-

Continued on page 9

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Shelby sees it as a way to connect at a time when people have drifted away from visiting in each other’s homes. “People go out. They don’t just stop over. Entertaining is becoming a lost art.”

tude — an appreciation for all that surrounds them and for what the earth provides. BOTH THE BLOG AND the upcoming cookbook are built around the seasons on the farm.

MAYBE THEIR HOUSE isn’t perfect. That’s OK. In one post, Shelby warns readers to ignore the fingerprints on the oven and focus on the muffins within (and the 4-year-old watching them).

“Everything we do revolves around what’s going on on the farm,” Denise explains. When 6-year-old Bennet’s birthday fell in the midst of the busy harvest, they moved the party to the field — tailgate style. “He still talks about it,” says Annie, “how he got to have his party next to the combine.”

“There’s a difference between en

“It was an education for me,” says Molly, who did not grow up on a farm. “I knew nothing. The hard work ethic was an eye-opener.” She says she has learned to accept the unpredictability. “And the risk. How you put it all on the line.” THE FAMILY BUSINESS offers perks. “We have really good beef,”

"THE GINGHAM APRON" is a hospitable place. It’s a slice of everyday life — farm fresh and served with a side of family love — and everybody’s welcome. To follow their blog, visit www. theginghamapron.com. Queck-Matzie is a freelance writer from Fontanelle.

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SPRING CALVING OFFERS an education. The “corn-freezing factory” is quality family time. “We’re all at the mercy of the work that is going on,” says Denise. The family raises corn, soybeans and alfalfa and manages a cow/calf operation, with some fields more than 20 miles from home. “We’re always on call.” A parts run these days may mean a trip to Atlantic, Creston or Des Moines, all nearly an hour away.

tertaining and hospitality,” adds Annie. “Hospitality is about building a personal relationship.”

Learn strategies for managing your personal finances during Money Smart Week.

owans have a chance to brush up on money management skills during Money Smart Week April 18-25.

The Herrick family shared a recipe for cranberry orange muffins from their blog, "The Gingham Apron." Find the recipe on Iowa Farm Bureau's Iowa Dish website at http:// goo.gl/EOMQLA. Click on the recipe box to find this recipe and more. says Denise. “We tend to take that for granted.” And Iowa’s fertile soil makes for prolific gardens, both the vegetable and flower variety. Then there’s the beauty of the Iowa countryside — a favorite blog post topic. It all comes together in a cyber

spot where the audience can join in the experience of the farm, of the kitchen, of the family where sisters-in-law co-plan picnics and cousins play together in the barn. “THE BLOG HITS on a need people today have for community,” says Annie.

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APRIL 2015 family living 9

Iowa environment

BY DIRCK STEIMEL

WORKING TOGETHER FOR IOWA'S FUTURE Building bridges between urban and rural residents toward a common water quality goal. A growing number of Iowa communities — of all sizes and from every corner of the state — are working with local farmers to improve the quality of their drinking water sources. That collaboration, according to municipal and state regulatory officials, is helping communities meet federal standards for nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients, hold down costs and build stronger and lasting relationships with farm-

ers in their areas. “Most of our communities have always had a very good relationship with their local farmers, and they want to build on that,” said Dustin Miller, general counsel for the Iowa League of Cities. “These collaborations are helping communities offset the cost of building expensive water treatment plants and creating a win-win situation.” To reduce nutrient loss and help their communities, farmers are stepping up to rework their traditional cropping patterns to add cover crops and are adding wetlands and other structures that have

shown to improve water quality. And they are adjusting tillage practices to reduce the potential for nutrients leaving their fields after rainstorms. “I’ve really seen a very good response from farmers in my projects,” said Rebecca Ohrtman, coordinator of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) source water protection program. “For the most part, we’ve seen farmers are very proactive in this and they really want to do things to help their community,” she said. These cooperative efforts are under the umbrella of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Launched in 2013, the strategy is designed as a long-term approach to improve surface water quality in Iowa and help reduce nitrogen and phosphorus delivered to the Gulf of Mexico. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy covers both point sources, such as industry and municipal water systems, as well as non-point sources like farmers.

A $4.3 million project recently launched will focus on improving water quality in the Cedar River watershed, which supplies water to Cedar Rapids.

One of the most visible collaborations of farmers and Iowa communities is in and around Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second largest city.

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PHOTOS BY AARON SISKOW Steve Hershner, left, Cedar Rapids utility director, discusses water quality efforts along the Cedar River with Curt Zingula, center, a Cedar County farmer, and Tariq Buloch, Cedar Rapids water utility manager.

Officials there recently launched a $4.3 million project that is focused on improving the quality of water in the Cedar River watershed, the source of the city’s water supply. The Middle Cedar Partnership Project will focus on building cooperation with farmers and landowners to install best management practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, wetlands and saturated buffers to help improve water quality, water quantity and soil health in the Cedar River watershed. The twin goals of the plan are reducing nitrate levels in the water and reducing flood potential, said Steve Hershner, utilities director for Cedar Rapids. "The City of Cedar Rapids has always been interested in partnerships to improve water quality and this helps us focus on both of those issues," Hershner said. Partners in the project include the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and other agricultural organizations, conservation districts, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and the DNR.

“We always face a lot of challenges with the weather, but we are always working to do better,” said Linn County Farm Bureau member Curt Zingula, who has planted stream buffer strips and cover crops, as well as installing a bioreactor to reduce nutrient loss. “The way we farm today is better for the environment than what grandpa did. He did the best that he could, but the technology that we have today is getting better all of the time.” The Cedar Rapids water project was recently awarded $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Partners in the project will contribute $2.3 million, and the city will provide $316,000. Across Iowa, in the small town of Griswold in Cass County, farmers have stepped up to reduce nitrate levels in municipal water wells by planting cover crops and moving to spring fertilizer applications. “We’re just ecstatic with the cooperation we are getting from farmers in our area,” said Drue Kirchhoff, who chairs Griswold’s water quality committee.

Farmers in the area are ready to step up to work with Cedar Rapids to continue to improve water quality.

Continued on page 11

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IOWA SISTER STATES SEEKS HOST FAMILIES Kosovo exchange program seeks Iowa families to host students for citizen diplomacy effort. BY TERESA BJORK A first-of-its-kind youth diplomacy initiative through the Iowa Sister States program is looking for Iowa families to host students from Kos ovo. Up to 10 host families are needed for the Kosovo/Iowa student ex change program in the 2015-2016 academic year, says Kim Heidemann, executive director of Iowa Sister States, a non-profit organization that manages international partner state relationships. The host families must live within 120 miles of Des Moines, have a spare bedroom for the student and, if they reside on an acreage or farm, provide transportation to and from school and extracurricular activities.

“But really, when it comes down to it, we need a host family that is caring, who is open to experiences, who wants to be a part of this program that really enriches both Iowa and Iowans as well as this person who is from another country, who will go back and get to tell about their experiences here,” Heidemann says. The Kosovo students, ages 16 to 17, undergo a vigorous screening process to ensure they are prepared for the academic challenge, she adds. In addition, Iowa Sister States offers mentors, volunteers and staff to assist the host families during the students’ stay. Iowa’s diplomacy partnership with Kosovo began in 2011 with the Iowa National Guard. More than 750 Iowa National Guard soldiers have served as peacekeepers in Kosovo since 2004.

Maj. Gen. Tim Orr, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, approached Iowa Sister States for assistance in expanding the Kosovo partnership beyond its security cooperation focus to include citizen diplomacy. In 2013, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad traveled to Kosovo to sign the sister states agreement. Kosovo has also announced plans to open a consulate in Des Moines, the firstever international consulate to locate in Iowa. The student exchange, which began in the current 2014-2105 academic year, is one of Iowa Sister States’ first Kosovo projects. Once the Iowa host families are approved and selected, Heidemann and representatives from the Iowa National Guard meet with the school administrators to acquaint them with the exchange program, the host families and the

students. “We are very hands-on,” Heidemann says.

can take home to Kosovo, Heidemann says.

This year, four students are staying with host families in Iowa. Heidemann says the Kosovo students come from farm communities, so they have adjusted well to the rural schools here in Iowa.

“What we hope is that these (students) are the future leaders of Kosovo and their experience here is going to help them become better leaders, better members of society,” she says.

“They (the Kosovo students) are extremely family oriented. So the biggest transition that they have to deal with is just leaving a family. So the more community, the more family around them, the better,” she says.

The Kosovo/Iowa student exchange is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo. Students are provided a stipend for school supplies and other expenses, but the host families aren’t paid for hosting a student. “This is truly a volunteer experience,” Heidemann says.

In addition to their academic work, the students are required to complete 30 hours of volunteer work in their host schools and/or communities. They also work with mentors in the host communities to develop a community service project that they

Iowa families interested in hosting a Kosovo student are encouraged to contact Heidemann at (515) 725-3614 or Kim.heidemann@iowasisterstates. org for more information. Applications will be accepted through mid-April.

WHAT PARENTING STYLE IS BEST? Continued from page 10

ISU Extension blog takes closer look at different The cooperation is also showing results around southern Iowa’s Rath- parenting styles. bun Lake area, which provides drinking water to some 16,000 homes and businesses. There farmers have installed terraces, buffer strips and other conservation practices which has reduced sediment delivery to the lake by more than 43,000 tons from the past decades, significantly reducing phosphorus levels in the lake’s water.

The Science of Parenting bloggers typically discuss parenting from a science or research-based per spective. However, human sciences specialists from Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach also are discussing the “art” of parenting — how parents can tailor their parenting style to each child’s temperament.

“Parenting style really isn’t ‘one size fits all.’ Styles range from overly involved ‘helicopter’ parents to ‘freerange’ parents who are more hands off, with a wide range in between,” said Janet Smith, a human sciences specialist in family life. Children react differently to parenting styles, said Lori Hayungs, also a human sciences specialist in family life. “Children who are more impulsive

“The farmers we work with are very engaged in the process,” said John Glenn, CEO of the Rathbun Regional Water Association. “They want to help find solutions to water quality issues and implement them.”

Some, like Griswold, can opt for cover crops, while others, such as Elliott in Montgomery County, decide that buying land and creating a wetland was the best solution. “Each community is different, and they need to find local solutions that everyone buys into,” Ohrtman said. “It’s important to have everyone at the table and to work together.”

CONSERVATION COUNTS See first-hand how Iowa farmers are using conservation practices to improve soil and water quality on the Conservation Counts website at www. conservationcountsiowa. com.

“The art of parenting comes into play as we figure out how to customize our parenting style to our children’s needs,” Smith said.

Learn more from tips on the blog (www.scienceofparenting.org) and in a four-minute podcast. Through the Science of Parenting, ISU Extension and Outreach specialists share and discuss research-based information and resources to help parents rear their children. Parents can join in the conversation and share thoughts and experiences, as well as how they handle parenting responsibilities.

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The DNR’s Ohrtman, who works primarily with smaller Iowa communities who have identified water quality issues, says cooperation of community leaders, municipal officials and farmers has been the key to success in water quality improvement projects.

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appetite for iowa

BY TERESA BJORK

EAT BEFORE YOU TOSS REDUCING FOOD WASTE IN THE HOME Save money on your grocery bill, and space in the local landfill, with these tips for reducing household food waste. When I go grocery shopping, I often stock up on sale items, such as frozen vegetables, canned tomatoes and boxed pasta. I also like to treat myself in the produce aisle, buying fresh pineapple, carrots and melons, whatever is a good deal.

Teresa Bjork is a features writer for the Iowa Farm Bureau. In addition to baking and cooking, she also enjoys gardening and eating her way across Iowa.

But to be honest, my husband and I usually don’t eat an entire bag of baby car-

rots or a whole cantaloupe, so I end up tossing the leftovers in the trash. Earlier this winter, my husband defrosted our iced-over freezer, and we discovered more than three dozen bags of frozen vegetables hidden in the ice that I had obviously overbought.

Placing foods that need to be eaten right away toward the front of the fridge is one simple strategy to avoid residential food waste.

Not only was it a reminder that I need to eat more vegetables, it also got me thinking about ways to reduce food waste at home.

in homes, but all along the food-production chain. About 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. ends up in a landfill, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. That’s about $165 billion worth of food that never gets eaten in the United States, a nation where 17.2 million households were also food insecure in 2010.

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For one, many people don’t realize that the food we throw away doesn’t quickly decompose in a landfill, Bolick explains.

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About 13.3 percent of all landfilled waste in Iowa is food. Even more startling, food waste in Iowa landfills has increased 62 percent in the last 13 years, the DNR reports. “It’s a problem, and it’s a growing problem for multiple reasons,” says Joe Bolick, communications and public relations manager for the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at the University of Northern Iowa.

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number one most prevalent disposed material in the state’s municipal landfills, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resource’s 2011 statewide waste characterization study.

Take, for example, a banana peel. If you throw a banana peel in your backyard, the peel will naturally decompose within a few weeks. But landfills are designed to minimize any exposure to the air to prevent contaminants leaching into the environment, Bolick says. “So if you throw a banana peel in a landfill, 20 years later, there are probably at least some remnants of the banana peel there,” he says. “Our landfills are filling up fast. There is only so much space available.” And when the landfilled banana peel does decompose, it breaks down slowly, releasing methane gas. Methane is a greenhouse gas that traps in 20 to 25 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, Bolick says. In addition to environmental concerns, food waste is also costly. Taxpayers must fund more landfill space, as well as the cost to transport food waste. And families are, in essence, throwing away money whenever they toss food in the trash, says Jennifer Jordan, recycling coordinator for the City of Iowa City. A typical American throws away 20 pounds of food each month, which is worth about $28 to $43 per person, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. “It’s definitely about the environmental and moral issue of wasting food, but it’s also about the money,” Jordan says.

Continued on page 13

Continued from page 12 “If you are spending a couple hundred dollars a month on groceries, and you are throwing away a quarter of it, you just wasted $50 a month. That’s hundreds of dollars a year.” Last summer, Iowa City received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a pilot project to study residential food waste. A total of 50 Iowa City households agreed to weigh their food waste for six weeks, and they received education materials to help them reduce their food waste.

SIMPLE TIPS TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE About two-thirds of household food waste is due to food spoilage from not being used in time, and the other one-third is caused by people cooking or serving too much, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Iowa State University’s Answerline blog (http://blogs. extension.iastate.edu/answerline/) offers these tips for reducing food waste at home: •

Oddly, Iowa City was the only pilot project city where household food waste increased over the six-week study, Jordan says.

• But the study was conducted during the peak of sweet corn season in Iowa. “It was in June and July, and many families were saying it was basically corn cobs and corn husks and watermelon rinds,” Jordan says. The pilot project showed that not all food waste is preventable, she adds. But there still are many strategies that Iowans can practice at home to reduce food waste. First, take a closer look at what you are purchasing at the grocery store and try to avoid overbuying. If you do have leftovers, place them in the front of the fridge, where they are visible. “We hand out small signs for your fridge at various (educational) events that literally say, ‘Eat me first,’” Jordan says. “It’s sounds really simple, because it is that simple.” “Every time you throw something away out of the fridge, think about the resources that went into making that and the financial resources that took for your family to purchase it. That’s pretty striking, I think for most families,” she adds. And as many gardeners already know, backyard composting is also an easy solution for keeping food waste out of landfills. The Iowa Waste Reduction Center has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct how-to composting seminars in western Iowa for local businesses, restaurants and citizens.

•

Be careful of buying in bulk. Foods have limited shelf life and even thought the price may be much cheaper in a larger quantity, if you end up throwing the excess away the overall cost will be higher. Plan your meals before you go to the grocery store using the grocery ad. Then you will know what is on sale and not end up with impulse purchases, and you will have the foods you need for the meals you have planned. Store foods properly. If your produce was purchased in the refrigerator section of the grocery store, it should be refrigerated when you bring it home.

•

Remember to freeze foods that will not be consumed within a few days. Freeze leftovers in single serving sizes in freezer containers. Then you will have small meals or lunches available to reheat when you want them, and you don’t have to eat the same meal for days at a time.

•

Use fruits and vegetables in various ways. Besides eating them as side dishes or snacks, put extra fruits in smoothies or mash for ice cream syrups or pancake toppings and cut fruit up to make fruit salsa. Roast extra vegetable, and add them to stir fry dishes, put in a tortilla or use as pizza toppings. Remember fruits and vegetables can also be frozen. Be sure to blanch vegetables for best quality freezing.

For more food reduction tips for your home, business or school, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's food recovery website (http://www.epa.gov/foodrecovery/).

The City of Iowa City also offers tips and strategies for reducing food waste at home on its website (http:// www.icgov.org/?id=2376). Personally, I have started checking my freezer and pantry before my trips to the grocery store to make sure I don’t buy an item we don’t need. (No more frozen veggies until we eat what's in our freezer.) Also, last summer, my husband built a compost bin out of cattle panels

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center offers a residential composting toolkit online (http://iwrc.uni.edu/services/ food-waste/residential-food-wastereduction/).

Both organic and conventional beef are equally nutritious, experts say, so it comes down to personal choice. Natural and organic beef market share has been increasing over the past few decades. In 2010, the natural and organic beef market share was at 1.6 percent. In April 2014, the USDA Economic Research Service indicated organic sales accounted for more than 4 percent of U.S. food sales. Focusing on the organic and natural beef share of the total beef dollar, the National Cattlemen's Beef Board reported that natural and organic beef had 6.3 percent share for the fourth quarter of 2014 with conventional beef market share at 93.7 percent. What is the difference between organic and natural programs? "Organic production requires producers to manage livestock to meet both animal health and welfare standards," explained Julie Walker, South Dakota State University Extension beef specialist and associate professor. While vaccinations are allowed, Walker said antibiotics or growth hormones are not permitted. "Animals should be fed only 100 percent organic feedstuffs and should be allowed access to the outdoors," Walker said. Organic producers work with certifying agents who ensure U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified organic products meet or exceed all organic standards.

he bought at the local farm store. I toss leaves, grass clippings, vegetable and fruit scraps, egg shells and coffee grounds in the pile whenever I remember, and I water and turn the pile with a pitchfork every couple weeks.

The USDA definition of natural is focused on the beef product and states that natural beef should contain no artificial ingredients or added colors and can only be minimally processed.

It’s been neat to see the pile shrink over the winter, and I can’t wait to see how my vegetable garden performs with the homemade compost. It’s like a science project in my backyard.

"There are other voluntary programs related to how the animal is raised such as 'naturally raised.' These programs may have animal management requirements including no antibiotics, no growth promotants,

no animal byproducts, and thirdparty verification of management practices," said Amanda Blair, South Dakota State University Extension meat science specialist and associate professor. What's driving consumers? Purchase drivers for selecting organic foods can be divided in two categories: 1) healthier choice and 2) socially conscious reasons. A 3-ounce lean beef serving provides 51 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for protein, 37 percent DV for vitamin B12, 38 percent DV for zinc and 14 percent DV for iron. "The production system, whether conventional or organic, does not change the nutrients contained in a 3-ounce beef serving," Walker said. She explained that conventionally produced beef may have been implanted with growth promotants, however, according to numerous research studies, beef from nonimplanted steers had 5 nanograms per 500 grams of estrogenic activity compared to implanted steers, which had 7 nanograms per 500 grams. For reference, one pound equals 454 grams. In comparison, beef has far fewer hormones than peanuts (with 100,000 nanograms per 500 grams), white bread (300,000 nanograms) and tofu (113.5 million nanograms), according to the Iowa Beef Center (http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/information/IBC48.pdf). "Consumers may prefer a specific production system for the beef they want to consume. However, it is important to remember that all production systems provide consumers with safe product selections, and that the nutrient content of beef is similar across the different production systems organic, natural or conventional," Walker said. "It is important to remember, that regardless of the production system, consumers are assured a safe wholesome product with similar nutrient content."

GUARANTEED INVESTMENT

In his own yard, Bolick says he plans to build a second compost bin this spring as a family project with his kids. Last year, when he applied the compost to half of his garden, the tomato plants grew 2 feet taller and yielded three times more than the other half where he didn’t apply compost. “It (composting) can be as simple as going out and buying a compost bin that turns itself, or a pitchfork and a pile,” Bolick says.

ORGANIC VS. CONVENTIONAL BEEF

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APRIL 2015 family living 13

FEEDING THE HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

STORY BY TERESA BJORK

ISU LAUNCHES NEW MONARCH BUTTERFLY INITIATIVE Iowa State University is growing milkweed in its greenhouses to help enhance monarch butterfly habitat.

new collaborative effort to protect and enhance the monarch butterfly’s habitat in Iowa will take flight starting this summer.

The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium, established through the efforts of Iowa State University’s (ISU) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will take a science-based approach to bolster the monarch butterfly population and assist community-led implementation efforts. Initial partners in the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium in clude farmer and conservation organizations, state agencies, companies and ISU. IOWA IS THE CENTER of the monarch butterfly’s breeding range in the summer. However, the monarch butterfly population has declined over the last decade, according to surveys of the butterfly’s overwintering habitat in Mexico. There are many possible reasons for the decline, including extreme drought and flooding in the U.S. Midwest, logging in Mexico where the monarchs roost and a decline in milkweed habitat, explains Sue Blodgett, chair of ISU’s Department

of Entomology and Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. MONARCHS DEPEND on milkweed for laying their eggs and for caterpillar nutrition, Blodgett says. Adult monarchs also rely on nectar-producing plants for nutrition to fuel their cross-country flight in the fall. “There are a lot of milkweed species, and the milkweeds differ in what quality they are as a host for the larvae of the monarch. So once you start looking at this, it’s a complicated story,” Blodgett says. THIS SPRING, ISU researchers will launch a statewide project to determine how different species of milkweed and pollinator seed mixes impact the monarch butterfly population. Earlier this winter, ISU planted 10,000 seeds of nine different milkweed species in greenhouses. Seedlings will be transplanted into small demonstration plots on 13 ISU research farms. RESEARCHERS WILL STUDY how the milkweed plants grow, proliferate and adapt to local conditions. They will also formulate and plant a monarch seed mix that includes milkweed and nectar-producing prairie plants. In addition, ISU researchers will monitor butterflies in the plots from egg and larvae through adult stages to establish a baseline for the monarch population in Iowa.

“WE’RE GOING TO GPS some of those (milkweed) patches so we can follow them. It will be really neat to see how these plants do across the state,” Blodgett explains. “So this first year, the main focus is to establish a baseline for monarch activity and do some preliminary screening so we can focus in on the milkweed species best adapted to different parts of Iowa and the companion nectar-producing plants for the best success,” she adds. BASED ON THE research, ISU Extension will deliver practical, “how-to” information for conserving and restoring monarch butterfly breeding habitat on farms and rural areas. The consortium will also reach out to youth groups such as 4-H clubs, FFA chapters and others. Blodgett says the consortium will focus on enhancing monarch butterfly habitat on land that isn’t in farm production, such as areas along fence rows or roadsides that aren’t suitable for farming. “We’re not talking about reintroducing a weed species into farmers’ fields,” Blodgett says. “But that said, we have a lot of landowners and farmers that have an interest in this insect and doing (habitat) restoration activities and conservation. “IT’S A REAL WIN-WIN for the ag community to join up with the urban community in Iowa, everyone

Monarch caterpillars feed on milkweed that grows in Iowa and other Midwestern states. Iowa State University is leading an effort to enhance the monarch butterfly's habitat in Iowa. PHOTO COURTESY OF USDA-ARS

joining together with the same purpose and goal, which is to try to do a better job in preserving and promoting the monarch butterfly populations in the state,” Blodgett adds. Partners in the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium are Iowa State University, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Steward-

Events & Travel

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Market Place

To advertise in the Family Living Classifieds

Call 1-800-798-2691

Index

SERVICES: (028) (031) (033) (035) (036)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(003) Notices (005) Farmers Market (006) Travel

PETS:

BUSINESS-TRAINING:

(040) Pets For Sale (043) Pets Wanted

(008) Schools (010) Computer Training (012) Computer Programs

HELP WANTED:

(047) Help Wanted (050) Job Wanted

FINANCIAL:

(013) Loans (015) Investments

MOTOR VEHICLES: (053) (055) (056) (057) (058)

COMMUNICATIONS:

Radio Communications Satellite Systems/Cable Computers Cellular Phone

(076) Fish Farms Fish for stocking ponds prices starting at .30 a fish. Beemer Fisheries 800-537-5671

www.beemerfisheries.com

(094) Material Handling USED TRACTOR & COMBINE PARTS

Autos/Vans Trucks/Pickups Heavy Duty/Commercial Parts/Accessories Motorcycles

VEHICLE TIRES/ ACCESSORIES: (060) (063) (065) (067)

Passenger Tires Truck Tires Agricultural Tires Accessories

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE: (069) (070) (072) (073) (074) (075) (076) (077) (078)

Antiques Home Furnishings Appliances Articles For Sale Gardening Equipment Heating/Fuel Fish Farms Plants/Trees Wanted To Buy

SPORTING EQUIPMENT: (080) (082) (084) (085) (086)

Boats/Motors All Terrain Snowmobiles Hot Tubs RV/Marine

FARM EQUIPMENT: (090) (094) (095) (096)

Misc. Farm Equipment Salvage Parts Farm Trailers Farm Equip. Wanted

ENERGY

(100) Wind Power (103) Generators

LIVESTOCK: (110) (113) (115) (117)

Dairy Beef Calves Purebred Cattle

(119) (121) (123) (125) (127) (128) (129) (135) (137) (139) (141) (142)

Feeder Pigs Swine Purebred Swine Sheep/Goats Purebred Sheep/Goats Llamas Horses Poultry/Rabbits Exotic Animals & Wildlife Livestock Equipment Livestock Equip. Wanted Livestock Materials

REAL ESTATE: (170) (172) (174) (176) (178) (179) (180) (181)

Farms Farm Land Mobile Homes Resort Property Land For Rent For Rent House Small Acreage

HAY/FEED/BEDDING:

BUILDING MATERIALS:

SEED/FERTILIZER/ CHEMICALS

AUCTIONEERS:

(150) Hay/Straw/Grain (152) Feed (154) Bedding

(160) Seed

(185) Building Materials (187) PreCnst. Bldgs. Util./Mach. (189) Bins/Silos

(190) Auctioneers (193) Auctions (195) Coming Sale Dates

7 Giant Salvage Yards Parts for all makes and models. Call the parts experts today!

When I want to reach farmers, I advertise in the Spokesman, for farm equipment, land or hay.

1-877-530-4430 (150) Hay/Straw/ Grain

HAY AUCTION 2nd & 4th Saturdays

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We connect our readers with your products and deliver customer traffic to your business.

(162) Fertilizer (164) Chemicals

(020) (023) (024) (025)

Farm Services Professional Repair Services Diesel Repair Tiling/Ditching/Terracing

Family Living April 2015

healthy living

BY JODY KORTHAUS

AA-CHOO! WELCOME TO ALLERGY SEASON RELIEF FOR OUTDOOR ALLERGY SUFFERERS Don't let seasonal allergies keep you from enjoying the lovely spring weather. It’s finally spring! The trees are coming alive, grass is starting to grow and flowers are beginning to bloom. While there are many wonderful things associated with springtime, there is one, unfortunate event that also occurs. Allergies. Many suffer from the classic ragweed allergy in the fall, also known as hay fever, but there are also molds and pollens in the spring that stir up allergy symptoms. “Sometimes, it can be a little harder

to identify that you have spring allergies,” said Dr. Thomas Paulson, with the Iowa Ear, Nose and Throat Center. “Ragweed blooms about the same time each year in the fall, so people know they’re allergic to ragweed. In spring on the other hand, sometimes everything blooms at once, causing a more severe allergic reaction. Other years, trees and grasses might bloom in stages, so your allergies are more subtle and not as noticeable.” Classic allergy symptoms include itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, a scratchy throat and drainage and congestion. According to Dr. Paulson, if you have milder allergies

you will have more nasal and sinus symptoms than the full-blown itchy eyes and scratchy throat. Over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, are usually sought to help tame allergy symptoms. Paulson explained there are newer over-thecounter drugs available today that, while they may not be as strong as Benadryl, have fewer side effects. For antihistamines, he recommends Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra, depending on how each drug effects the individual. In some cases, antihistamines have been known to aggravate prostate problems

and glaucoma. “For the vast majority of patients, antihistamines are safe to use,” said Paulson. “But, there are some potential problems, and you need to always pay attention to the warnings.” Decongestants work well for open-

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16 family living APRIL 2015

ing up the nasal passages. Paulson suggests Sudafed as a gold-standard drug, taking into account the side effects and risks. Once again, he states they are safe for most people, but warns that pseudoephedrine can elevate blood pressure and raise your pulse. Therefore, if you have high blood pressure or a history of heart rhythm problems, you should be extra cautious and talk with a pharmacist or your family doctor. “Decongestants are a stimulant, and if you take it every day, it’s going to be less effective for you,” said Dr. Paulson. “I like to have my patients only take decongestants when they’re having a major flare up.” He does, however, not have a problem with patients taking antihistamines year-round. It usually takes years before a tolerance is built up to antihistamines, unlike the decongestants. Medications like Allegra-D, Claritin-D and Zyrtec-D are combination drugs that contain both, the antihistamine and decongestant, in the same dosage. As a result, Dr. Paulson recommends only taking these drugs shortterm, during a couple of weeks when you really need them. If you’re not getting any relief from over-the-counter medications or prescriptions from your doctors, you can see a specialist to get evaluated and see what you’re allergic to, how severe your allergies are and if that’s the only thing going on. “The best treatment for any allergy is avoidance,” said Dr. Paulson. "If you can stay away from the thing you’re allergic to, or not breathe it in, you’re going to need less medication.” While that can be easier said than done, there are a few things you can do to help manage your allergies. If you are allergic to dust mites, get rid of as much carpeting as you can, since that’s where the dust mite lives, and avoid having feather pillows and down comforters. Vacuuming often and cleaning areas that harbor pollen and dust mites is also recommended. Saline rinses are a good way to clear the allergens out of your nose and sinuses, especially for someone who is constantly working in dust and barns. “We don’t advise frequent saline rinses unless it’s an active sinus infection or if you’ve had previous surgery, but it’s good to do if you’ve been around things you’re allergic to that day," Paulson said.