Get prepared for a busier schedule with these Freezer-Friendly Pancakes
With the first day of school almost here for most schools, parents are busy getting their kids signed up and everything else that goes with being ready for that first important day. Summertime routines are a bit more relaxed, so establishing a routine before the actual first week of school can be helpful. Such things as establishing a set bedtime and a morning alarm and encouraging your children to eat a healthy breakfast. This could mean a bowl of cereal along with fruit, yogurt or toast.
One suggestion would be to make pancakes or waffles and freeze them ahead of time. They can be tossed into a toaster or microwave for 30 seconds and ready to eat. It is important for children to start their day with a good breakfast as it fuels their bodies and minds for the day and will help them with concentration, memory and mood.
Freezer-Friendly Pancakes
This recipe may take a little time to prepare ahead, but it will be worth the extra time once school day mornings are here and time is rushed.
IngredIents InstructIons
1 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg
Combine together in a large bowl the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt and whisk well. Combine and whisk in a separate mixing bowl, the milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix well the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until all are combined well. A few lumps are OK.
Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the hot griddle. Cook until bubbles form and edges are dry for 2-3 minutes, then flip over for a short time and finish cooking the other side until lightly brown. Complete this until all batter is used. Cool pancakes completely and enjoy.
To Flash Freeze: Place the cooled pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 20 minutes. Once frozen, stack pancakes, placing a small square of parchment paper between each one. Wrap the stack in foil and return to the freezer. Pancakes will store for up to 3 months in the freezer. Microwave frozen pancakes on high for 30 seconds for one or up to 1 minute for 3 pancakes.
Homemade salsa
Tomatoes should be in abundance for those who garden, and salsa is a favorite of many. Tomatoes offer a lot of health benefits, which include heart health and reduced risk of certain cancers and are a good source of vitamin A and C, potassium and fiber.
IngredIents
4 cups peeled and chopped tomatoes
2 cups green peppers, chopped
1 cup hot peppers (optional)
1 cup onion, chopped
InstructIons
Combine all ingredients in a pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 20 minutes. Put in jars; seal.
2 teaspoons salt
3 cloves garlic
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 teaspoon cumin
IngredIents
10 cups uncooked corn
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 stick margarine
Frozen corn
Freezing fresh garden corn is a great way to preserve the delicious flavor for a later dinner treat. Be sure to cool the corn in ice water before placing it in freezer bags or containers for freezing. Don't forget to remove as much air as possible from the freezer bags to avoid any freezer burn.
InstructIons
Mix sugar, salt, water and margarine in a large kettle. Add uncooked corn; bring it to a boil and let it boil for 3 minutes. Cool kettle in ice water. Put corn in containers and freeze.
cHocolate marsHmallow Bars
I had relatives over for lunch recently who are grand “chocolate lovers,” and made these Chocolate Marshmallow Bars and they were a hit! The combination of chocolate chips, peanut butter and soft marshmallows makes this a great tasting treat.
IngredIents remaInIng IngredIents
3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oleo, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 tablespoons cocoa
Cookin’!
12 ounces marshmallows
12 ounces chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cups Rice Krispies
InstructIons
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the first eight ingredients and beat for 1 minute. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch greased pan and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle a 12-ounce package (small) marshmallows over the warm bar mixture. Return to the oven for 1 minute and then place in the refrigerator to cool. Melt a 12-ounce package of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup peanut butter. Add 2 cups of Rice Krispies; mix together. Spread this mixture over marshmallows. Let cool before cutting into bars. Enjoy.
Loretta Krahling is a columnist with over 38 years of newspaper experience. If you have a favorite recipe you would like to share or have any questions, please email them to Loretta at krahling93@gmail.com.
LAUNDRY and the farmer's cap
TKaren Schwaller
here are probably many vocations that make filthy clothing multiply like rabbits — a mechanic, a miner, septic tank workers, plumbers (ask my husband about our basement sewer pipe incident to find out how I know that); veterinarians, road construction workers — and daycare providers of babies and toddlers who have it spewing out of both ends on any given day and for all sorts of reasons — whether the child is ill, or simply won’t swallow strained carrots.
When our twin boys were babies, I remember going to bed one night, and after they both got sick, I had a whole new load of laundry waiting for me by morning, with crib sheets and mattress pads, towels for cleanup of cribs and the rocking chair; different jammies for the babies (twice), different jammies for me (three times), and cleaning rags for the carpet.
I needed to go to bed as the sun came up. It also should have been my first clue that they would grow up to be farmers, for as much laundry as they produced just that night.
But from other firsthand experience, I know that a farmer generates as much dirty laundry as any occupation. After all, he’s involved in all the occupations I mentioned earlier — just as part of his work; and his work apparel shows it in such ghastly ways.
The farmer’s cap may possibly be his dirtiest piece of daily attire, if only because he tends to gravitate toward the one that feels the most comfortable, and then (in a very anti-Mickey Rooney kind of way) doesn’t move on to the next one, regardless of its oil level. When they finally do come around to seeing the washing machine, you’ll want to handle them with care—using tongs and wearing goggles or a gas mask at the very least, and keeping the local animal shelter on speed dial in case something comes jumping out of it before it sees detergent.
Pity they get in that shape, too, because most farmers probably have only one or two caps to their name. (Insert “laughing face” here…) Indeed, most farm homes have a whole wing dedicated to caps that are “free” with the purchase of a cool million dollars’ worth of seed.
No wonder they hoard those “free” caps. They have a lot invested in them.
For our guys, even if they have garbage bags, totes, secret closets
and pull-up floor boards stashed full of caps, they still take caps that are given away, if only because (back in the day for our boys, especially) they might be “too cool not to have.”
It’s like when farmers lose their pliers. They might have a dozen other pairs, but they don’t want any of those pliers — they want the familiar, dirty, oily hand tool they lost.
I’ve witnessed them flocking back to that pair like swallows headed for San Juan Capistrano. I hope that if I’m ever lost, my husband searches in the same way for me like he does for his missing pliers, rather than just going out and getting a different wife.
gotten permission to wash that cap in the first place).
If only it were that simple for me to ensure some kind of shapeliness as I dry off after a good washing.
Indeed, most farm homes have a whole wing dedicated to caps that are “free” with the purchase of a cool million dollars’ worth of seed.
One time I remember sitting in on quite a lively discussion with my husband’s extended family about how to dry a farm cap. My husband has always insisted on placing the freshly laundered cap around the bottom of a medium to large sauce pan to help give the cap some shape after it dries (of course, after having
One of his aunts that day said she would turn it upside down and place a cereal bowl on the inside of the cap to let it dry. But his other aunt piped up at the discussion table and stole the show as she said, “I just hang it on the door knob.” Her husband, realizing the size of the drying apparatus got smaller with every pass, joined in on the uproarious laughter that filled the kitchen.
Finally he said, “I could have gone all day long and not heard that.”
Karen Schwaller writes from her grain and livestock farm near Milford, Iowa. She can be reached at kjschwaller@outlook.com. Note: New email address.
Columnist
Iowa farmers recognized for environmental leadership
Awards presented to 40 farm families at the Iowa State Fair
DES MOINES —
Forty Iowa farm families were recognized with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards by Gov. Kim Reynolds at the 2025 Iowa State Fair.
The award recognizes farmers and farm families who go above and beyond to take voluntary actions to improve and protect the state’s natural resources, including soil and water, while serving as leaders within their communities.
“Here in Iowa, we know that agriculture and conservation go hand in hand,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Our farmers feed and fuel the world — and they also lead the way in protecting soil, improving our water quality, and adopting innovative practices that will keep our state striving for generations to come.”
These farm families implement practices like cover crops, wetlands, bioreactors, saturated buffers, grass waterways, buffer strips, terraces, no till and many other proven conservation practices that improve water quality, enhance soil health and support the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
“Iowa’s farm families continue to be the driving force behind building a lasting culture of conservation within our state. Farmers are
voluntarily adopting practices like cover crops, no till, buffer strips, wetlands, bioreactors and many more, and are helping us set conservation adoption records year after year,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Mike Naig. “The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award winners are shining examples of community leaders who are taking action on their own land and inspiring others to do the same. This creates a ripple effect and helps drive conservation progress across Iowa."
“We take great pride in recognizing these leaders in our farming communities throughout our state who put sound conservation practices at the forefront of their operations,” said Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon. “Their conservation practices are leading the change and setting an example for future generations and other farmers."
The 2025 winners were chosen by a committee representing conservation and agricultural groups.
A total of 861 Iowa farm families have been recognized since the creation of the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2012.
Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award winners
The 2025 award recipients, listed alphabetically by county, are:
Adair County
Ross Havens
Boone County
Nick Helland
Buena Vista County
James and Jenny Adams
Calhoun County
James Hepp
Carroll County
Ryan and Kelsey
Bowman Family
Cedar County
John Black
Cerro Gordo County
Jeff Rooney and Karla Rooney
Cherokee County
Bruce Husman and Cindy Husman
Clay County
Brent Swart and Steve Swart
Clayton County
Joe Sass
Delaware County
Nathan Goedken
Dubuque County
Lillie Beringer Crock
Fayette County
Rick Matt and Damien Matt
Franklin County
Doug Alert and Margaret Smith
Greene County
Justin Robbins and Lacie Robbins
Grundy County
Doug Christiansen
Grundy County
Grant Johnson and Vernon Johnson
Grundy County
Lance Moeller and Jerry Moeller
Grundy County
Michael Murphy and Jason Murphy
Hamilton County
Lynn Knutson and Joyce Knutson
Humboldt County
Mike and Michelle Coleman
Ida County
Chris Lee
Iowa County
David Dermody and Travis Dermody
Jasper County
Dirk Van Wyk and Jourdan Van Wyk
Jasper County
Rick Vos
Keokuk County
Clinton Mikesell
Kossuth County
Sara Hanson Pearson and Robert Pearson
Lee County
Bill Benjamin
Lyon County
Nathan Nieuwendorp
Madison County
Jerry Kincade and Becky Kincade
Mahaska County
Jackson Drost and Amanda Drost
Marshall County
Tony Brink and Roberta Brink
Muscatine County
Mike Deahr
Muscatine County
Patrick Dipple and Katherine Dipple
Pottawattamie County
Terry Gleaves
Pottawattamie County
Wesley Henry
Sac County
Tom and Kaitlin Geake and John and Cathy Geake
Sioux County
Taylor Kats and Jessica Kats
Story County
James Harrison and Sheri Harrison
Worth County
Russell Olson and Hayden Olson
During rainy season, protect your animals from biting insects
AMES — Recent and continuing abundant rainfalls across Iowa have resulted in saturated fields and, more importantly, pooled stagnant water, all of which are breeding grounds for biting pests that can cause irritability and carcass impacts to pigs.
That’s why Iowa State University extension swine specialist Colin Johnson said it’s important for producers to act now to reduce those impacts.
“Numerous management steps and biological products should be overlaid to reduce and destroy mosquito and fly populations,” he said. “The most critical locations to control are the respective breeding grounds. For most mosquito species, this is standing water,
and for stable flies, it’s decaying material such as manure, bedding, compost, etc.”
Johnson said two resources from ISU’s Iowa Pork Industry Center can help producers learn what to look for, how to address potential issues, and where to go for more information.
“Our new IPIC publication, Integrated Pest Management in Swine Production Facilities, focuses on management practices that can help producers mitigate insects,” he said. “And this spring, Chris Rademacher and I presented an IPIC webinar on preventing carcass damage by insects.”
Rademacher, who is IPIC associate director and ISU extension swine veterinarian, said
it’s important for producers to be proactive to avoid negative carcass impacts and protect animal health, and these two resources provide information and considerations for use now and for planning.
“The publication helps producers think through a more comprehensive approach to insect pest management and how it needs to be thought about well in advance of marketing pigs,” he said. “The video shares practical strategies for implementing integrated pest management in swine barns.”
The publication, IPIC 209A, is available to download from the ISU extension store at no charge. The video is on the IPIC YouTube channel, also viewable at no charge.
Barn of Tomorrow webinar series set for September
AMES — The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering team will hold the “Barn of Tomorrow” webinar series this September.
Designed for livestock producers, industry professionals, researchers and anyone interested in the future of livestock housing, the five-week series will explore cutting-edge advancements in livestock housing, precision technologies and strategies to enhance efficiency, sustainability and animal welfare.
“The livestock industry is evolving, and the future of livestock housing is at the forefront of innovation,” said Dan Andersen, associate professor and agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach. “This series will delve into the latest research and technological developments shaping the next generation of livestock production facilities.”
The “Barn of Tomorrow” webinar series will occur every Tuesday in September 2025 at 12 p.m., with the following schedule:
Sept. 2, Big Data in Livestock Ventilation — Brett Ramirez, associate professor and extension agricultural engineer at Iowa State.
Sept. 9, Livestock Sensing Technologies — Hanwook Chung, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State.
Sept. 16, Steer Comfort in Deep Pit and Bed Pack Monoslope Barns — Kris Kohl, field agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach, and Rick Stowell, professor and animal environment extension specialist at the University of Nebraska.
Sept. 23, Camera Technologies for Calving Monitoring (or Other Applications) — Tony Mensing, field agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach, and Chris Clark, beef field specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Sept. 30, Preparing for Winter and Minimum Ventilation — Brett Ramirez, assistant professor and extension agricultural engineer at Iowa State. Each webinar is available at no cost to participants, but online registration is required.
For more information about the series, contact Daniel Andersen at dsa@iastate. edu or 515-294-4210. For registration inquiries, contact Melissa McEnany at mmcenany@iastate.edu or 515-2949075.
’Barns of Iowa’ nominations sought
Do you own a unique barn or one with an interesting history? Do you see unique barns in the area where you live and wonder about their past?
Farm News will be publishing its annual “Barns of Iowa” section this fall and is seeking nominations of barns.
Farm News covers 33 counties in north central Iowa and will feature one barn in each county. Those counties are Boone, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dallas, Dickinson, Emmet, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, Marshall, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Polk, Sac, Sioux, Story, Webster, Woodbury and Wright.
To nominate a barn, send an email to editor@ farm-news.com with the following information: name of the family who owns the barn, their contact information, the barn’s address and the county where it is located.
Wanted: Farm News freelance writers
Do you have an agriculture background and enjoy writing about farm-related topics? Farm News is seeking freelance news writers for its bi-monthly publication and accompanying special sections. Knowledge of agriculture is a must. The writer will work to ensure Farm News’ tradition of quality and accuracy, must be able to manage time well, meet deadlines, and generate story ideas. Writers should also be able to take photographs to supplement news articles. A journalism background is helpful, but not required. If interested, send resume and writing samples to editor@farmnews.com.
Online Auction
Antique & Collectibles: Assorted 78 & 45 records, vintage Schwinn Fiesta woman’s bicycle, Green cast iron vintage decor, antique tennis rackets, decorative box, Antique 1920’s cast metal glided oor lamps, 20th century TV, Superior Ace No-8405 rotary printing press, metal roller skates. Wooden picture frame, wooden crate boxes
514 Pets/Supplies
761 Tractors
300 International Tractor , 40 H.P., Good TA, PS, New paint, tires Batt, starter. Looks & runs Like NEW! Good for hay and a good parade tractor $2,700 515-408-1605
801 Autos
Construction-power tools: Buf ng wheel w/stand, indoor/outdoor HD vacuum, 2-ft wooden step ladder, Black metal & plastic organizer with nuts & bolts, assorted rivets, sandpaper, grinding wheels, wood saw blades, red metal tool box include rivet gun & screwdrivers, tap & dye adapters, 6” bench grinder, wooden plane, HD clamps, woodworking jigs, Craftsmen metal tool box, vintage Shaler 5-minute Vulcanizer, dremel 1671, 16 “scroll saw, hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic bottle jack, makitalw1401 14” cutoff saw, Milwaukee deep cut portable band saw, 12” bench top band saw, car jack walker badger #5, 3-ton capability, black & decker deluxe power shop radial arm saw, industrial fan, Ryobi 10” table saw, Reed MFG CO 5 1/2 jaw rear swivel jaw model, Crain 555 multi undercut saw, Hunter ZEPHAIR Oscillating electric fan, HD vices, air compressor, valve grinding machine, cast iron bench vice, JBT food tech Dsij Scan in line product scanning system, lightweight purpose pump, 1950’s vintage porter cable model 146 circular saw, carburetor, woodworking power tool, Delta 28-400 14” band saw, Sears Craftsmen reciprocating saw, CYCLOPS Cast iron telescopic nail puller, Brewer Titchener brand bean clamps, Hypertough 1000 W halogen 2-light corded tri-pod, Dewalt DW0737 Construction tri-pod, 6-swivel plate casters with wheels, large HD bold cutters, pry bars, brass blow torch, dryer blower wheel, assorted nuts & bolts, Farm lawn & Garden: JD Thatcher, heat lamps braided cable, cast iron hay trolley, antique single wheel cultivator, Craftsmen general purpose motor, shop brooms, grain shovels, metal rakes, hoes, electric Toro power shovel, conduit bender, sledge hammer, pitch forks, ice scrapers, shingle shovel, concrete rakes, sand shovels, weed trimmer, shepherd hooks, Household: Antique kitchen table & chairs, Ant. Kids chairs, chandeliers, garage sale sign, clothes dyer rack, coffee table, lamps, wooden doll swing, magazine end table, frosty snowman decor.
1996 Ford Ranger, Ext. Cab., 4.0 5 spd., 149k mi., cold AC! new clutch, runs & drives well.$2,750 515-290-6892
807 Campers
2006 Alumascape 31SKT, 3 Slides, Qu. bed, PC Desk, Part or Full Time Rig, Exc. Cond. $14,500 515-351-7341 or 515-352-5296
Check us out at www.Hundertmarkauction.com and Facebook for upcoming auctions and pictures.
ANNUAL FALL MACHINERY CONSIGNMENT AUCTION
Located at Hundertmark Auction Building, Hwy 169 N. Humboldt IOWA. Friday, August 29th, 2025, at 9:30 A.M.
Lunch by Kelly’s Lunch Box
TREES, MOWERS, RECREATION, and VEHICLES sell at 12:00
Approx. 200 potted Trees: Black Hills, Norway, Colorado Blue, White pine, Techney, Emerald, dark green Arborvitaes, and other trees
MOWERS: John Deere X720 mower, 62” deck, hydro, hydraulics, liquid cooled Kawasaki, 533 Hrs. * Cub Cadet, zero turn, 50” deck, 640 Hrs. * John Deere X534 AWS, 54” deck * Cub Cadet ZT1, 42”, Kohler 22Hp, 123 hrs. * yardworks lawn sweep * plastic LG trailer * PLUS MORE MOWERS COMING, Check website
RECREATION: 2017 Can Am Renegade XMR * 2021 Can Am Maverick X3 * 3 2019 Yamaha BX1000 3 seat jet Skis * Figure 8 race car * 16’ Combee Airboat w/351 Windsor motor, 72” blades *
SAWMILL: 2021 Woodland Mills HM126-14, on trailer, 20’ deck, lube system, 14 hp Kohler, log loader, 10 blades, ONLY 3 hrs use, JUST LIKE NEW * 2 Best Flex expanding conveyor roller tables, approx.. 15’
MACHINERY: 2007 Case CT450 skidloader, 72” bucket, forks * 2 2008 Killbros. 1065 gravity wagons, green * 2008 20’ car trailer * 2008 deck over trailer, tilt bed * IH B tractor, good paint, cultivator * Bush Hog 14’ 3pt chisel plow * Meteor 8’ snowblower, hyd. spout * Bush hog 3 pt. 6’ mower * Lindsey 32” drag on cart * IH 60 15’ stalk cutter, 4 wheel, 1000 pto * Rhino DM7 9’ 3pt. disc mower, 540 pto * IH 105 grinder/mixer *
IH 435 small sq. baler * Westendorf quick tach bale spear * small hyd dirt scraper * Brave 3pt. hyd. log splitter * JD 6x12 barge box, 1064 gear, RESTORED *
SMALLS: 2- 20’ storage containers * Hyster 30 forklift, battery, charger * Big Joe 2524-A6 walk behind straddle forklift, battery * 18.4x38 rim * 13.4x38 rims and duals * galvanized building tin * 17 18” plastic dual wall tile sticks, 10’ long * poly water tank * 4 jib cranes, 11’ tall, 11’ out w/ 1/2T elec. hoist * work benches * metal Ind. cabinets * ind. shop carts * tote spill containment totes * elec. wire * various hand tools * construction mattes * BelAir 5hp/80 gal. upright air compressor * drum dollie * Energy Logic waste oil heater * mobile tool boxes and carts * PVC water fittings * horizontal 120 gal air comp. tank, 15 hp 3 ph, no pump * ATV spray tank * battery charger * pickup L fuel tank, 115 V pump * drill press * metal band saw * 180 LB anvil * 15 KW Winco PTO generator * 10 big squares bales hay * AUCTION NOTE: Ad written 2 weeks prior to sale, follow website with updates to list. Taking consignments through Thursday the 28th. Call if you have something to bring us.
Auctioneer Note: Go To www.Hundertmarkauction.com or facebook page for listing and pictures of items to be sold!! NO PRIOR INPECTIONS
HUNDERTMARK AUCTION SERVICE
Auctioneers: David Hundertmark 515-890-0380 Tom Hundertmark 515-890-0615
Clerks: Hundertmark Auction Service Terms: Cash or good check day of sale. Not responsible for accidents or theft. No property removed until settled for. Be Responsible for Covid 19 precautions.
Classified Customers:
When placing a classified ad that requires pre-payment, your credit card will be processed while you are still on the phone. You will know before we hang up that the credit card has been approved and we will not need to call you back at any other time to request your credit card number. If for some reason you should ever receive a call from someone asking for your credit card to pay for your ad that you have already paid for, please tell them you will call the Messenger back and ask to speak to the supervisor. Never give your credit card number to someone over the phone if you are not sure who they are.
-75.93 +/- Acres -74.5 +/- Cropland Acres -83.9 CSR2 Average -Bellville TWP, Section 2
