THE DUKE RIDES AGAIN NEW WINTERSET MUSEUM HONORS IOWA'S HOLLYWOOD HERO PAGE 6
Discover the state's best outdoor family destinations page 8
Rural Iowa farm store expands into local foods page 9
Iowa family raises beef for best burger nominee page 12
MAY 2015
from the editor
BY DIRCK STEIMEL
CELEBRATE COWBOYS ON SCREEN AND AT THE TABLE One of the great things about living in Iowa is traveling around on the state’s back roads to visit small towns and find unexpected treasures. One of my family’s favorite destinations has always been Winterset in Madison County. With its beautiful courthouse, picture-perfect town square and famous covered bridges, it’s been an ideal place to show visitors from out of town — and even out of the country — the unique charms of small town Iowa. Now Winterset is getting even better with this month’s opening of the John Wayne Birthplace Museum. As you’ll read in this edition of Family Living, the shiny new museum will offer an astounding collection of memorabilia from the screen legend’s life and motion picture career. It’s definitely going to be worth saddling up for the trip. May is also Beef Month, and that means we’ll soon know which restaurant takes home the best burger award from the
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. But in Family Living, we’ve got the interesting backstory for one of the finalists: the Cider House in Fairfield. The new restaurant, which opened late last year, has cooked up a special partnership with a local farm family, Jefferson County Farm Bureau President Sara Adrian and her husband, Tony, who raise all the beef that the Cider House serves. It’s another great example of Iowa farmers providing high-quality food for their local markets. In this issue of Family Living, we highlight the "Dream Big. Grow Here” contest for entrepreneurs, which is supported by Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa program. It recognizes the value of entrepreneurship and the positive impact that these entrepreneurial endeavors have on the state’s economy, especially in rural communities. We also catch up with Kevin Folta, a Florida researcher who spoke recently at Iowa State University about foods made with genetically modified crops or GMOs.
table of contents
Folta understands consumers have a lot of questions about the technology and is speaking out in social media and in person about the safety of GMOs and why scientists see this technology as a way to benefit the environment, improve our nutrition and feed impoverished people across the globe. In addition, we take a look at state parks around Iowa and what they offer for families, we discuss eye care in the summer months and we catch up on a drive to provide more fresh milk for food banks in Iowa. It’s shaping up to be a great month. So 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. Our readers really are the best source of ideas for our articles. You can reach us at (515) 225-5416 or email us at familyliving@ifbf.org.
Dirck Steimel Editor
MAY 2015
Features Volume 25 Number 5 A publication of the Iowa Farm Bureau for ag-supporting members.
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Dirck Steimel Senior Features Writer Teresa Bjork
Break out the s'mores Let the kids disconnect from screens and connect with nature at Iowa's best campsites for families. page 8 From dairy feed to dairy foods A family-owned farm store in West Union rebuilds after a fire to serve as a local foods hub in northeast Iowa. page 9
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.
2
family living MAY 2015
Supporting rural entrepreneurs A Davis County landscaper earns a chance to win a small-business grant through the "Dream Big. Grow Here" contest, sponsored by Iowa Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa. page 11 Farm-to-fork success Jefferson County Farm Bureau members Tony and Sara Adrian raise beef for the Cider House, one of Iowa's best burger nominees, in Fairfield. page 12 Donating milk for the hungry Join the Great American Milk Drive to donate protein-rich milk to food pantries. page 14
Departments Member benefits Are roller coasters and water rides your family's idea of summer fun? Farm Bureau members can save on tickets to Adventureland and Adventure Bay water park in Altoona. page 3 Iowa travel Winterset, birthplace of silver-screen cowboy John Wayne, opens the world's only museum dedicated to the Hollywood legend. page 6
Appetite for Iowa A horticulture professor and scientist looks ahead to the future of genetically modified (GMO) foods and explains why he supports the technology. page 4 Healthy living Sunglasses aren't just for looking cool. An Iowa optometrist shares tips on how to protect your eyes from summer glare. page 10 On the cover Brian Downes, a former Chicago Tribune reporter who met and worked with his childhood hero, the late Hollywood actor John Wayne, is now helping to open the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset. The museum celebrates its grand opening May 23. Cover photo by Gary Fandel
member benefits
EXPERIENCE THE THRILLS OF SUMMER FARM BUREAU MEMBERS CAN SAVE ON ADVENTURELAND TICKETS In a few weeks, Iowa kids will take their summer break from school. It’s time to plan your next family vacation to one of the Midwest’s favorite destinations for summer fun. Farm Bureau members can enjoy two Iowa parks — Adventureland and the adjoining Adventure Bay water park in Altoona — at exclusive discount prices. Plus, you save time purchasing your discounted tickets online. When you arrive at Adventureland, skip the ticket line and go directly to the entrance gates. Farm Bureau members will also re-
ceive a coupon for $30 off a single night stay at Adventureland Inn when they download their tickets online. Adventureland offers more than 100 rides, shows and attractions, from roller coasters and thrill rides to live shows and children’s rides to suit the whole family. In 2014, Adventureland welcomed its newest ride, the Storm Chaser. The giant swing ride soars 260 feet off the ground and spins those brave enough to ride it around at 35 miles per hour. In addition, the Adventure Bay water park promises fun in the sun with 20 water slides, a 25,000-square-
LOSE YOUR TICKETS? NO PROBLEM By ordering Adventureland tickets online, your tickets can be printed again, even at the Adventureland gate, if you misplace them. If you purchase tickets in advance and are unable to use them, you can request a full refund by Sept. 15 by contacting ross@adventurelandpark.com.
foot wave pool, the longest lazy river in Iowa, a kiddie splash pool, a sand beach sun deck and a swim-up bar. The Farm Bureau member discount price is $30 per ticket for all ages, a savings of $10 on each regular ticket and $4 on each child (ages 4-9). Children 3 years and younger are
admitted free. Go to www.adventurelandpark.com/ farmbureau to create your own personal account to order tickets. If you have questions when creating an account, call the Iowa Farm Bureau member help line at 866-598-3693, or contact ross@adventurelandpark.com.
For more information on Adventureland amusement park, Adventure Bay water park and park hours, call toll-free 800-532-1286 or visit www.adventurelandpark. com.
STORY COUNTY COMPANY WINS RENEW RURAL IOWA AWARD Absolute Concrete, recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., was recently named an Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award winner. Like most successful start-up businesses, Absolute Concrete’s cofounders Sonny Hall and Kraig Kriegel identified an unfilled opportunity in an industry and launched their business to fill that void.
of road infrastructure funding in the Iowa Legislature as a positive step forward for road safety and also an opportunity to provide great career opportunities to central Iowans. “We have been very active in the last five years to address the need and get constitutionally protected funding for vital road improvements,” said Hall. “It’s a great thing for the state of Iowa; we are looking to add 35 to 40 jobs just because of it.”
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Less than two decades later, the former two-man company now employs 160, and their company’s concrete work can be found at locations ranging from the Iowa Speedway to the Boone Airport to Bass Pro Shops in Altoona and even the steps of the Iowa Capitol. “After buying a house in 1999, I needed a driveway replaced, and after about 14 calls, only two or three called me back and nobody showed up for a bid,” said President Sonny Hall. “I figured real quick there was an opportunity and need in the Des Moines market, and since that time, we have gone from residential work into commercial and municipal work.” Today, Absolute Concrete continues to identify opportunities to grow the company and plans to hire up to 80 additional employees within the next year. Hall identified the recent passage
In an effort to attract and retain the best talent, Absolute Concrete has transitioned its structure to a 100 percent Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), making employees who have one year and 1,000 hours of service shareholders of the company. Absolute Concrete also works with the Story County Economic Development Group and local community colleges to help offer training for individuals interested in a career in concrete work. “It’s great to see entrepreneurs like the individuals at Absolute Concrete who want to make life better for their employees and community,” said Story County Farm Bureau President Derrick Black. Renew Rural Iowa is an Iowa Farm Bureau initiative supporting new and existing businesses through education, mentoring and financial resources. For more information, go to www.renewruraliowa.com.
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MAY 2015 family living 3
appetite for iowa
BY TERESA BJORK
A CLOSER LOOK AT GMO FOODS WHAT EXACTLY IS A GMO? MAYBE NOT WHAT WE THINK A scientist explains why he supports GMO foods — and why he hopes consumers will see the potential benefits too. Scientist Kevin Folta understands why consumers have a lot of questions and concerns about genetically modified foods, more commonly known as GMOs.
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.
Folta, a horticulture professor from the University of Florida, uses both conventional breeding and GMOs,
or transgenics, in his lab to develop and study new fruit varieties with improved nutrition and better disease resistance. Earlier this spring, I visited Iowa State University (ISU), where Folta was invited to give a guest lecture.
Foods with the "USDA organic" label cannot contain genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, according to federal organic standards. Currently, only eight GMO crops are available in the United States: corn (field and sweet), soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya and squash. Sometimes, food manufacturers place a nonGMO label on a food even though there aren't any GMO varieties of that food. For example, GMO popcorn isn't commercially available; all popcorn is non-GMO. For more information about GMOs, visit the GMO Answers website (www.gmoanswers.com).
Folta told the audience of mostly ISU students that he and his fellow scientists haven’t done a good job of explaining what GMO foods are and their true benefits and risks.
So Folta is speaking out in social media and in person about the safety of GMOs and why scientists
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see this technology as a way to benefit the environment, improve our nutrition and feed impoverished people across the globe. “You’ve got some people who really like this stuff (GMO technology), others who are much more cautious and wary of it, but the majority of people are right in the middle. They aren’t quite sure what to think,” Folta said. “The big deal for us, whether we are for or against the technology, is really remembering that we are on the same page. It’s just that we have different toolboxes to get there.” Folta explained that genetic modification isn't a new technology. Humans have been genetically modifying foods since agriculture was invented thousands of years ago, when we domesticated wild plants and animals for food. In fact, many of our favorite foods in the grocery store, like tomatoes or sweet corn, aren’t in their natural, original forms. These crops were bred
Continued on page 5
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"This isn’t ‘(GMOs) will save the world.’ I don’t believe that. But I believe there will be some important cases where this technology can change life for some people, for some populations that could benefit."
from inedible weeds and grasses over many hundreds of years to become the vegetables we eat today, Folta said. Transgenic technology, which is adding genes to a plant in a laboratory, is actually more precise than conventional plant breeding, Folta explained. Instead of cross-breeding plants and seeing how the mixes of genes express themselves, transgenic technology can take just one gene and see how it performs in a plant. Transgenic crops are strictly regulated and thoroughly studied before they are approved for commercial use, he added. “These (GMO crops) are the most highly studied plants in human history. They are under amazing scrutiny,” Folta said. Folta noted that hundreds of studies
Kevin Folta, professor of horticulture, University of Florida.
have proven the safety of GMO foods. Leading health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Medical Association, have confirmed GMO food safety. And farmers plant GMO crops because they see the benefits of the technology, Folta said. Because of GMO seeds, farmers can use fewer chemicals and reduced tillage. “Scientists feel pretty good about the technology...," Folta said. “And the
problem is most people in the middle, like most folks who are concerned about food, don’t know what to think. ... So people are turned away from a technology that can solve problems.” As a scientist, Folta said one of his top priorities is protecting the environment, particularly in his environmentally sensitive home state of Florida. Currently, Folta and his colleagues are researching transgenic strawberry varieties that can grow without fungicides. Strawberries are very susceptible to fungal disease, which is
why farmers are looking for alternatives to fungicide sprays, he explained. Also in Florida, the state's famous orange groves are under threat from citrus greening disease, an insectborne bacteria. The bacteria, which eventually kills the trees, has infected 100 percent of the citrus trees in Florida, Folta said. “Your glass of orange juice may be an endangered species,” Folta said. Traditional plant-breeding methods can’t produce disease-resistant trees fast enough to save Florida’s citrus industry, he said. That’s why researchers are testing transgenic orange trees. So far, the transgenic trees in research trials have been disease-free in the five years since they were planted, Folta said. As for other foods, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a GMO apple that resists browning and a GMO potato that produces less acrylamide, a naturally occurring chemical and potential
carcinogen, when fried. In the future, transgenic technology may help develop allergy-free peanuts, healthier vegetables oils and crops that have added nutrients for malnourished populations, Folta said. “I went out to eat earlier today and ordered a beautiful-looking salad. But I can’t help thinking about the people who may go their entire lives and never eat something that good,” Folta said. “They are a priority for me, as a scientist, in terms of how I want to leave a mark in the future. “But this isn’t ‘biotech will save the world.’ I don’t believe that,” Folta continued. “But I believe there will be some important cases where this technology can change life for some people, for some populations that could benefit. “It may not change the world, but it may change a world. And if that world is your world, it’s important. That’s why I get excited about the opportunities for society,” he said.
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Iowa travel
BY VALERIE VAN KOOTEN
HONORING 'THE DUKE' WORLD'S ONLY JOHN WAYNE MUSEUM OPENS IN WINTERSET The birthplace of actor John Wayne will open a museum dedicated to the Hollywood legend's career. Brian Downes remembers sitting in a movie theater watching a 1959 John Wayne movie with his dad — and loving every minute of it. Years later, when he was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Downes wrote a letter to “The Duke” and subsequently got to meet him. “I’ve been enamored by John Wayne since I was a little boy,” he says. So appropriately, Downes was the right pick to assume the position of Birthplace Director and head up a $2.5 million campaign to build the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, which will hold its grand opening on May 23 with lots of hoopla and celebration.
PHOTOS BY GARY FANDEL
Until now, visitors to the Madison County town of Winterset have been able to tour the small home that was the birthplace of the movie icon. Now, the brand-new 5,000-squarefeet facility will offer an astounding collection of memorabilia from the screen legend’s life and motion picture career. The only museum in the world dedicated to John Wayne, it will feature the largest diversified exhibit of John Wayne artifacts in existence, including original movie posters, film wardrobe, scripts, letters, artwork and sculpture, one of his customized automobiles and, of course, a movie theater. Coming up with the funds was a joint effort by many people and many entities, Downes says. It meant forming a unified vision by the board and then approaching local businesses, city and county of-
Winterset
fices and applying for grants, including State of Iowa Vision grants and funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “This is something the board had wanted to do for a long time,” Downes says, “but it really needed someone full-time to head it up.” Fundraising went on for about seven years, with two-thirds of the $2.5 million coming from the private funds of John Wayne fans. Downes has become the cheerleader for this project that is expected to draw thousands to the area. In fact, a new motel, The Cobblestone Inn, is opening on the north side of town that will help provide lodging. Heather Riley, executive director of
Continued on page 7
Top photo: The John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset will celebrate its grand opening May 23. A bronze sculpture of the silver-screen actor, created in 1981 by Oregon artist David Manuel, was gifted by John Wayne's family in 2007, the actor's 100th birthday. Bottom photo: The museum's gift shop offers John Wayne-themed merchandise for fans.
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Continued from page 6 the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, says the opening of the museum is a big deal to this community of about 5,000. “Some of the board members of the museum have been on the board since the 1980s, and this is a dream come true for them,� she says. “Everyone around here is tickled that it’s been done so well and that Brian (Downes) has gotten so many credible media outlets interested in it.�
Top left: The theater inside the John Wayne Birthplace Museum plays an 8-minute documentary used with permission from Jules Vernes Adventures, a Paris-based organization that has produced similar films about Hollywood stars for film festivals. Right: The theater seats were acquired from the legendary Grauman's Theater in Hollywood. Top right: John Wayne's 1972 Pontiac Grand Safari station wagon is on display at the museum courtesy of Foster Dennis, a Log Angeles paving contractor who was friends with John Wayne.
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Why does the legacy of John Wayne still fascinate so many people? After all, Wayne died in 1979, and his movies hit their heyday years before that. Downes thinks it’s because people from all over the world find his movies fill a longing for another time. “A lot of people see him as a father or a protector,� he says. He points to the fact that Wayne’s movies still show up regularly on “Best of� lists put out by the New York Times and other entertainment outlets. And it’s not just Americans who are drawn to the star. “We’ve had peo-
ple of all races and ages visiting the museum in the past,� Downes says. “In fact, Europeans have a big thing about the Old West. One of the people coming to the grand opening on May 23 is a French literature student from Paris.� John Wayne was born May 26, 1907, the son of a pharmacist and homemaker. The family moved from place
to place and never set down permanent roots until moving to California in 1916. “They weren’t a family that left much of a mark,� Downes says. “But John Wayne is an example of great lives beginning in small places.� Van Kooten is a freelance writer from Pella.
WINTERSET'S JOHN WAYNE FESTIVAL John Wayne’s birthday celebration will be held the weekend of May 23-25 in Winterset. Providing patriotic fanfare for the opening ceremonies will be the 100-member Iowa Military Veterans Band. In addition, the celebration will feature rodeo queens, reduced price admission to the new museum, free John Wayne movies, food and merchandise vendors, cowboy mounted shooters and much more. A highlight for many will be the Museum Benefit Dinner ($150 per person) headlined by country music legend and RFD-TV star Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. Also featured will be an auction of unique and one-of-a-kind John Wayne collectibles including artwork and film wardrobe. For more information, call 877-462-1044 or visit the website at www.johnwaynebirthplace.museum/birthday.
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TAKE THE KIDS CAMPING
STORY BY KRISTIN DANLEY-GREINER
DISCOVER IOWA'S FAMILYFRIENDLY STATE PARK Let your kids disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature at one of Iowa's many state parks.
C
amping with the family — and kids of all ages — can make great memories at the numerous parks across the state. Sherry Arntzen, executive officer for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) parks bureau, said the best spot for your family depends upon what type of experience you’re seeking. Most of the state’s parks have a combination of electric and non-electric sites, while some have full hook-ups for those RV camping. All of the modern campgrounds have restrooms and shower facilities. “IF YOU WANT TO get away someplace quiet, there are places for that. As a mom of younger kids, it’s nice
to have other things to do in the area, like a playground or a beach,” she said. Lake Manawa State Park has an “extremely large” playground, as does Green Valley, Bedell and Big Creek, Arntzen said. The DNR recently installed a number of new playgrounds at campsites across the state, along with other amenities families will enjoy. “Green Valley in southwest Iowa’s Union County outside Creston was recently upgraded. That has a new playground, and we’re putting in a paved trail that will take you from the campground around the east side of the lake and into town. That will be a really nice amenity once it’s done. There’s also a beach there,” Arntzen said. “As a mom, it’s nice to be relatively close to town, in case you need something.” Pine Lake up north in Hardin County near Eldora has a similar camp-
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Many Iowa state parks offer family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, hiking trails, modern campground facilities, boat rentals and swimming beaches. SUBMITTED PHOTO ground set-up. There is an upper and lower lake with the campground on the upper lake near the playground, then four cabins near the lower lake. “IF YOU DON’T WANT to rough it or don’t have a camper, we have historic stone cabins. Then there’s the paved bike trail that takes you around the park and into Eldora. The Iowa River flows through part of it, and there’s a swimming beach,” she said. In south-central Iowa sits Lake Ahquabi State Park, south of Indianola, which can be an “extremely busy” campground, Arntzen said, with people from the central Iowa area frequenting it. “THE NEAT THING about that park is that there is a concession operation where you can rent boats and nonmotorized equipment, like canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Teenagers seem to like to have access to those amenities. There’s also a nice enclosed sheltered fishing pier that is handicap accessible. Plus, there are jetties to walk out on and fish from,” she said.
Lake Darling State Park in southeastern Iowa’s Washington County by Brighton is finally open after being closed for several years, Arntzen said. The lake there underwent a major restoration effort to improve the water quality and fishing, and the campground was renovated. There now are five camping cabins, a beach, non-motorized boat rentals and a paved trail along the shoreline. There also is a handicap accessible area to fish from and a playground. “THEN THERE’S BACKBONE STATE PARK, which is the granddaddy of our parks. It is such a neat place for families who have never been to northeastern Iowa. It has a modern campground and what we call a primitive campground for those who really want to rough it and get away from it all. There’s a playground at the beach, a concession operator for boat rental, and it is just a neat place to explore,” Arntzen said. “There are the springs, there’s trout stocked there and it’s just a beautiful area.”
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“Just because the snow falls doesn’t mean the park closes,” she said. In Webster County sits Dolliver Memorial State Park, a place the Arntzen family personally recommends. “AT DOLLIVER, there’s camping, a playground, a creek where my kids learned to skip stones and the Des Moines River running through,” she said. Julie Sparks, communications specialist for the DNR, said Maquoketa Caves State Park in eastern Iowa’s Jackson County has plenty of amazing natural features for kids to explore, particularly the caves. “It’s absolutely gorgeous there. There are interpreters during the peak camping season that will give programs about the caves and the critters there,” Sparks said. ASIDE FROM HIKING, skipping stones in creeks, fishing, swimming at the beach and playing at the playground, Arntzen encourages families to incorporate kids of all ages into setting up camp and cooking over the campfire.
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“We have some great recipes that kids can try, like bread on a stick. You can also look for the stars and listen to the sounds—if you live in the city, this is all new to your kids,” she said. “Take flashlights and glow sticks, give them cameras to take pictures then create a scrapbook of the camping trip. Take along craft supplies for the items they find in nature and bring a bug jar. If it rains or is really hot, be prepared with card games, puzzles and books.” ARNTZEN RECOMMENDED families with younger children practice camping in the backyard first. Once you’re ready to embark on your camping trip, be sure to take extra clothes and shoes, dress in layers, take the sunscreen and insect repellent, and be sure to have a first aid kit ready. Older kids and teenagers can geocache while camping, and some parks do have such geocaching sites. Sparks recommended families visit the DNR’s geocaching site and discover where those are located. Danley-Greiner is a freelance writer from Runnells.
ONE STOP SHOP FOR LOCAL FOODS UNIONLAND FEED ISN'T YOUR TYPICAL FARM STORE Family-owned West Union market offers a unique mix of farm supplies and Iowagrown foods.
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hat started as an agriculture feed store 10 years ago in West Union has evolved into a bountiful marketplace for people seeking Iowagrown and manufactured produce and products. Shoppers can find vegetables, baler twine, WW Homestead Dairy’s milk from Waukon, Country View yogurt from Hawkeye, animal feed and more at Unionland Feed and Supply.
“WE ARE RIGHT IN the middle of downtown in the county seat in what was an old grocery store. It burnt down, so when we rebuilt, we worked with the local grower markets to place the market up front and the feed store in the back. As a Main Street community, the marketplace has been very appealing,” said owner Gary Steinlage. Unionland Feed and Market has drawn in not just farmers and acreage owners, but moms, families and others you wouldn’t necessarily see shopping in a traditional farm store.
West Union
olives, cake mixes from Iowa,” Steinlage said. “We carry a lot of Iowa-grown, Iowa-made products.” The variety of people stopping by to check out the legendary store keeps business hopping — and interesting, Steinlage said.
“PEOPLE STOP BY for pet food, “We enjoy meeting the people. We've gone from the traditional farmer grabbing what he needs to a cross between farmers and everybody else. It’s neat,” Steinlage said. “We see a lot of tourists interested in learning about what we’re doing. They’re hearing about us, and we’re unique in what we do.” THE STEINLAGE FAMILY hopes Unionland Feed and Market will serve as a successful business model for other individuals or groups interested in combining a feed store and farmers market concept into one stop in a rural area.
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cated to offering products and supplies for farming and agriculture. “PEOPLE KEEP ASKING for more and more products, so we try to carry what they want. We’re getting in more gluten-free and organic products that are Iowa grown. My niece, Chelsea Mathias, is handling the food side of the business. My son, Justin, and his new wife, Candice, are business partners with me, so it’s nice keeping it a family business,” Steinlage said. Another interesting component
IT’S THE PERFECT partnership between the Hub and Unionland, serving as an example of how farmers and producers can provide local foods to consumers through new channels. Unionland Feed and Supply’s concept of merging an ag and feed store with a popular marketplace earns an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10 from Mabe.
Unionland Feed and Supply is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Their business is located in West Union near the Fayette County Courthouse, on the corner of Walnut and Elm streets. Chelsea Mathias, who manages the food market at Unionland Feed, and her dad, Dan Fagle, stock the coolers with milk, meat, eggs and cheese from local farmers.
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healthy living
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SUMMER SHADES PROTECTING YOUR EYES FROM THE SUN'S GLARE Wearing sunglass doesn't just make you look cool. The shades help protect your eyes from damaging UV rays. During summer, we love to have fun in the sun. Playing sports outside, working in the garden and going swimming are favorite pastimes for many during this time of the year. While catching some rays has its benefits, prolonged sun exposure over time can be harmful to your health, and especially to your eyes. Many take precautions by applying sunscreen to help defend the skin from the sun’s powerful ultraviolet
(UV) light, but you should also take preventive measures to help shield your eyes. “Everyone should be wearing sunglasses,” said Dr. Matthew Ward, with Eye Care of Iowa. “A person receives the most sun exposure from birth to 20 years old, so it is especially important for children to be wearing sunglasses.” UV light passes through the eye very easily in young children, as the lens in the eye is still developing at this age As a result, children and young adults are at a high risk of UV light passing through the eye, which may lead to macular degeneration in later years.
According to the American Optometric Association, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for those aged 55 and older in the United States, affecting more than 10 million Americans. It is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina. “There is a correlation between UV light and macular degeneration,” said Ward. “I often tell people that wearing protective eye wear can protect you from developing macular degeneration or worsening macular degeneration. It can also slow down cataract growth.” Two common eye diseases as a result
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of chronic sun exposure are Pingucula and Pterygia. In each case, extra tissue growth occurs in or across the eye and can cause eye redness, stinging, burning and discomfort.
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“Basal cell carcinoma is ten times more common than any other form of skin cancer,” said Dr. Ward.
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He recommends contacting your eye doctor if you notice a bump or nodule on the eyelid that becomes red or has a glossy or greasy appearance to it. Eye lashes falling out or lesions developing near the nasal part of the eyelid, closer to the nose, have also been associated with basal cell carcinoma.
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“Any suspicious lesion should be evaluated by a medical professional,” said Dr. Ward. “It may need to be biopsied to check for cancer.”
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Besides the eyeball itself, Ward points out that around the eye is also susceptible to skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma. Most think of putting on sunscreen to protect from skin cancers, but basal cell carcinoma is most commonly found on the eyelid.
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Wear sunglasses with a large frame to help cover the skin above and below the eye, as well as the cheek and temple area. “I always recommend a UVA and UVB blocking lens,” said Dr. Ward. “Equally important is a polarized lens, which results in less glare and more comfortable vision. It’s one of the best things you can do for your eyes.”
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Kids should wear polarized glasses when they’re doing outside activities such as playing sports, going to the pool or at the lake. Adults who work outside on a daily basis are exposed to the sun a lot more than people who have an office job and should also wear polarized glasses and a hat to protect the head from exposure.
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"It is still important to wear glasses on a cloudy day because the clouds covering the sun are actually scattering that UV light even more," Ward said.
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In addition to wearing sun protection, lifestyle changes you can make to combat damage to the retina are to quit smoking and have a healthy diet of bright, leafy green vegetables. Korthaus is a freelance writer from Urbandale.
STORY BY MARK YONTZ
IOWA LANDSCAPER DREAMS BIG CONTEST AWARDS GRANTS TO IOWA ENTREPRENEURS A Bloomfield landscaper is a finalist for an entrepreneur contest, sponsored by Renew Rural Iowa.
A
sk any small business owner how they got their start, and chances are they will tell you it began with a dream — a dream to be their own boss, chart their own path and build something of value. Recognizing the value of these stories and the positive impact entrepreneurial endeavors have on the state’s economy, the Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa program is a proud supporter (and founder) of the annual “Dream Big. Grow Here” contest. Small businesses enter their “dream” proposal online and compete for a chance to win grant money in six different industry categories.
for Iowa entrepreneurs, May 20-22 in Iowa City (www.entrefest.com). “AG INNOVATION” is one of the contest’s recognized industries, and Iowa Farm Bureau is the sole sponsor of this new category. Megan Archer, a landscaper from Davis County, is one of the finalist for the "Dream Big. Grow Here" small business entrepreneur contest, sponsored in part by Iowa Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa program. Archer provides landscaping design and lawn care services for residential and business customers near Bloomfield. SUBMITTED PHOTO
H oweve r, t h e story of Megan Archer’s business, one of this year’s contestants, isn’t new. If anything, it’s Archer a journey that has been years in the making, and entering the “Dream Big. Grow Here” contest is just one of many steps she has taken to help make the dreams she has for her Bloomfield, Iowa-based business become a reality.
The contest winner will be an- AS THE OWNER of MJ’s CountryS c a p e s ( w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / nounced at Entrefest, a gathering Morton_IFB_FamilyLiving_5.1.15_Layout 1 4/17/15 9:29 AM Page 1
mjs flow ersandcountryscapes), Archer’s goal of growing her fullservice landscaping company is ambitious, especially when you consider her geographic location and that it’s typically a maledominated industry. None of this, though, seems to put a dent in her optimistic view of what the possibilities are for the future. “I sometimes get funny looks, but women, especially, call me and are comfortable talking to me about projects,” explains Archer, who says she does 80 percent of
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the work herself — everything from design consultation and plant selection to lawn applications and landscaping installations. “But around here, most people know it’s what I do, and they respect it.” ARCHER, WHO STUDIED horticulture at Kirkwood Community College, started her business back in 2008 after the company she was working for decided to shut down its operations. After sending out numerous resumes and talking to potential employers, she determined that starting a business in her hometown of Bloomfield was the best option and would allow her to keep doing the work she enjoyed.
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TODAY, ARCHER STAYS busy with a client base that’s about 60 to 70 percent residential and 30 to 40 percent commercial across a territory covering six counties in southern Iowa and four in northern Missouri. Part of her success comes from being the only lawn care company in Davis County that provides full “weed, feed and seed” services. “I have about 150 clients I do spraying and other maintenance services for on a consistent basis, and I take care of all that myself,” explains Archer, who also hires some part-time help on an asneeded basis during the busy spring and summer months. BESIDES RESIDENTIAL customers, Archer also does lawn care and landscaping for local schools, banks, hospitals, care centers, retail stores and various restaurants.
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But as much as she enjoys the work she’s doing now, Archer definitely has bigger plans for her business, which is one of the reasons she entered the “Dream Big. Grow Here” contest. GETTING MORE EQUIPMENT for her business is a short-term priority, as is opening a flower shop in Bloomfield, where she can offer floral arrangements and hold educational seminars.
Long term, however, she hopes to expand her business to grow her own plants, like shrubs and trees. But her ultimate dream is to build an event center, where she can not only showcase her landscape creations, but also have a venue where people can hold weddings, receptions or other events. IT’S QUITE A LIST of things to accomplish, especially for a onewoman business, but Archer won’t be deterred. Why? First and foremost, she has a passion for what she does. “I help my customers create something beautiful for their yards. So I get the satisfaction of running my own business and supporting myself by doing something I love,” explains Archer, who says “just go for it” is the best advice she can offer to others thinking about starting their own business. Archer, though, is the first to admit she’s surprised how her business has grown and continues to grow, despite not being in a large suburban/urban market. She also knows any grant money from winning the contest won’t be enough to make all of her future plans possible, but she’s nonetheless determined to keep going. “WHATEVER HAPPENS, I’m still going to keep pressing forward,” says a determined Archer. “The grant money would definitely ease some of the financial burden and speed things up a bit, but it’s all going to happen no matter what.” But for as much as Archer wants to personally succeed, she says doing something that benefits her hometown is also an important part of the equation. “I’m very community minded, so I want to help my town grow and prosper. Because if Bloomfield doesn’t grow, I don’t grow,” explains Archer. Exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s living the ideals of “Dream Big. Grow Here.” Mark Yontz is a freelance writer from Urbandale.
MAY 2015 family living 11
STORY BY TERESA BJORK PHOTOS BY GARY FANDEL
A FARM-TO-FORK PARTNERSHIP IOWA FARM FAMILY RAISES BEEF FOR BEST BURGER FINALIST Even vegetarians are lining up for the burgers at the Cider House restaurant in Fairfield, which serves up beef raised by the Adrian family.
T
cows grazing on the pasture.
up vegetarian, but I will eat (the Adrians’) beef. It tastes so good and feels so nourishing. I love it,” said Annalisa Thompson, one of four friends who co-own and operate the Cider House.
ON THE RESTAURANT’S tables, there are family photos of the Adrians and their three children: Tanner, 9; Ashlynn, 4; and Owen, 2. Fairfield
his year, one of the top 10 finalists for Iowa's Best Burger Contest has cooked up a special partnership with a local farm family.
“One of my old high school teachers was there. She took two (of the fliers) off the table, and she was like, ‘I want it signed,’” Sara recalls with a laugh.
Jefferson County Farm Bureau President Sara Adrian and her husband, Tony, raise all the beef that’s served in Fairfield's new Cider House restaurant, which opened in December 2014.
“It’s still kind of surreal, because I was looking around at all the people, just kind of observing, and everybody was having the burger. And it was just like, ‘That’s mine.’”
In fact, customers can drive by the Adrians’ farm, a couple miles north of the restaurant, to see the
Jefferson County Farm Bureau President Sara Adrian and her husband, Tony, raise cattle near Fairfield in southeast Iowa. The Adrians raise all the beef for the Cider House, a new restaurant that was recently named a top 10 finalist for the Iowa Best Burger Contest, organized by the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Top left: Cider House's "Das Kraut" burger is topped with pineapple, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.
THE SOUTHEAST IOWA town of Fairfield, where the Cider House opened for business, is also home to Maharashi University, a col-
lege where students practice Transcendental Meditation and vegetarianism. THE CIDER HOUSE serves a housemade black bean “burger” for its vegetarian guests. But it’s the allbeef burgers that keep customers lining up at the door, waiting for an open table in the tiny restaurant that seats only about 50 customers at a time. “It’s the only beef I will eat. I grew
“WE HAD A COMMENT on Facebook from one of our customers. He said this beef is good enough for even a vegan to love,” added Hopi James, another co-owner of the Cider House. “We have some customers who have been long-time vegetarians and didn’t eat meat for years, but now they come in a couple times a week to get the burger. “So that speaks a lot, I think. People know it’s local and know that it’s good quality. And a lot of people know the Adrians, and they are a wonderful family. We are so excited to get to serve their meat. We really get to tell people where it comes from, and I think it shines through in the flavor and the quality of it,” she adds.
The Adrians have always sold some of their beef to family and friends, including to Clint Stephenson, one of Tony’s grade-school classmates. Stephenson moved back to Iowa after working as a tennis instructor in California. He bought an orchard near Fairfield and named it King Edward’s Orchard, after the farmer and mentor who sold him the land. AT THE ORCHARD, Stephenson often hosts barbecues for friends, serving hard cider made from his own apples and the Adrians’ beef burgers. The grill-outs were such a hit that Stephenson and three of his friends — James, Thompson and Cole Fishback — decided to open their own “burger shack” in downtown Fairfield.
IT’S THE FIRST TIME that the Adrians have direct-marketed their beef to a restaurant. Tony says his family has enjoyed getting to know their customers better and supporting a locally owned restaurant.
Stephenson asked the Adrians if the restaurant could buy the family’s beef for the burgers. The Cider House only offers burgers on its menu, not counting the chicken wings as an appetizer.
“There is a big learning curve,” Tony said. “I know how to raise a cow, I know how to take care of it. But I didn’t know how many hamburgers they were going to need in a day ... Right now, it’s been going pretty smoothly.”
“What Clint and I decided is we want to focus on one thing and do it right,” Tony says. “And with the hamburgers, I can guarantee him the quantity and quality. If we started doing steaks or something else, or if you make your menu too big, everything else gets lost.”
BOTH TONY AND SARA grew up in the Fairfield area. Tony started raising cattle in high school for a 4-H project. Over the years, he grew his herd to about 50 cows today, mostly
12 family living MAY 2015
black Angus and a few crossbreeds. The family also raises hogs and grows corn and soybeans.
THE ADRIANS SEND their beef to
Continued on page 13