AG Mag Southwest Iowa
After the
TRADE AID: The trade war has left uncertainty in the agriculture markets.
SUMMERTIME JAM: Jam and jelly makers are a staple at Iowa farmers markets.
HERITAGE: One southwest Iowa family farm celebrates 150 years.
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PUBLICATION • SUMMER 2019
P.O. Box 126 Creston, IA 50801 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 14 CRESTON, IA 50801
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Index AFTER THE FLOOD
AG Mag
Southwest Iowa
Publisher Rich Paulsen
Midwest was hit with the second wettest season on record
Advertising Director Craig Mittag
and farmers are still dealing with its impact.
PAGE 6
Managing Editor Sarah Scull Magazine Editors & Page Design Pam Pratt and Sarah Scull Reporters & Photographers Regina Smith, Luke Edwards, Victoria Palma, Pam Pratt, Christopher Braunschweig, Dustin Teays
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Published by Creston News Advertiser 503 W. Adams St. Creston, IA 50801 641-782-2141
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COVERSTORY
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Index NATIVE BEES
The importance of these pollinators for growing flowers and vegetables
PAGE 14
TRADE AID Federal financial aid breeds more uncertainty with trade war
PAGE 11
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After the Farmers deal with delays and debris after ‘second wettest’ season on record By REGINA SMITH Southwest Iowa Ag Mag
The second wettest year on record combined with record-breaking February snow and frozen soil were the main causes for flooding in both the Mississippi and Missouri river basins this year. Farmland, roads and cities were inundated with water that left behind literal tons of debris and delayed this year’s planting season. According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan, during the 12-month period from August to June, only 1992-93 — which produced similar flooding problems — had more precipitation than 2018-19 causing the subsoil to be near or at capacity for moisture. The snow falls led to 4 to 8 inch snowpack in the upper Midwest.
Glisan said a “bomb cyclone” weather system — defined by the National Weather Service as a rapid drop in the atmospheric pressure causing hurricane force winds and extreme snow- or rain-falls — in mid-March melted the snowpack more rapidly than the saturated and/or frozen subsoil could handle, causing wide-spread flooding along the east and west borders of Iowa. In some areas, this was followed by a second flood event in May.
After Once the flood waters receded, farmers had to deal with the debris left behind in their fields. Trash, metal, sand and cornstalks need to be cleaned up. Decisions need to be made whether to try to plant in the late spring, switch to a different crop, CONTINUED ON 7
CONTINUED FROM 6
or take a “prevent planting” payment for any insured crop land.
Debris Iowa State University Extension and Outreach said the procedures for dealing with sand left behind by flooding differ based on the amount of sand. Less than four inches of sand can simply be incorporated into the soil during normal planting procedures. If there are six to eight inches of sand, it should be plowed under to at least twice the depth of the sand, e.g. six inches of sand mixed into 12 inches of soil. Up to 24 inches of sand can be plowed under with special deep tillage machinery, however it is advised to even out the sand from any deep places to more shallow ones. ISU does not recommend moving sand from deeply covered areas to full in eroded places in fields. Instead, top soil from surrounding areas should be used as fill. More than 24 inches of sand should be removed. Farmers may consider stock-piling the sand for other uses as a more economical
method than paying to have it hauled away entirely. Like sand, layers of cornstalks left behind by flood waters may be dealt with according to depth. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that four or fewer inches of cornstalks may be incorporated into the soil. It does caution that the soil underneath stalks will dry more slowly than uncovered soil and care should be taken not to begin this process too soon. Working the soil before it has dried can cause compaction and ruts. Cornstalks do return some nutrients to the soil when plowed back into the ground, however, according to UN-L, these nutrients will not be available for crops for at least a year as the cornstalks must break down to release them. There are advantages to incorporating the cornstalks into the soil. “The most important contribution to the soil will be the addition of organic matter which can improve soil structure, water infiltration, and nutrient availability,” said Extension Educator John Wilson. Deeper piles of cornstalks that
must be removed from fields can be burned, composted or stockpiled, Wilson said. Burning may be the easiest method if the stalks are dry enough, he said. Composting is not the same as making a pile of cornstalks and leaving them alone. “To compost cornstalks, you will need to turn and mix them periodically, maybe once a month over the summer, Wilson said. “This will increase the rate they break down.” He said piled cornstalks will break down, but at a much slower rate than if they are properly composted.
Decisions Once a field is cleared — or even before the work is completed — the farmer must begin to make decisions about how to mitigate the losses from lost time and damage due to the flooding. If the flooding receded and the fields dried quickly enough, it may be possible to plant in a later window. Associate Professor of Economics and Extension Crop Marketing Specialist Chad Hart of ISU
said that later planting generally results in reduced yields. Hart’s data in the June 2019 issue of “Farm Outlook” shows “the 2019 national corn planting progress of 50% would point to a 21% decline in yield.” Lower percentages of corn planting often result in higher amounts of soybeans planted, however, this year, Hart said, weather and trade issues have slowed the soybean planting as well. Farmers who are insured for “prevent planting” may wish to take a payout from their insurance companies rather than risk planting too late. In this case, they should plant a cover crop to help keep the soil in shape for next season and prevent erosion. According to ISU, after taking an insurance payment, farmers cannot harvest or graze any cover crops until November 1. ISU’s Professor of Soil Management/Environment Mahdi Al-Kaisi explained that planting a cover crop such as turnips, radishes and rye benefits the soil in several CONTINUED ON 8
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ways. Cover crops promote growth of microorganisms that are essential for to ensure nutrients either stay in the soil or are added to it and help keep weeds out of the fields. “Crops planted after a fallow/ flood period grew poorly,� Al-Kaisi said. “Establishment of a cover crop can help suppress weeds, preventing a buildup of the weed seed bank.� He also urged farmers to consider overwintering cover crops so that the benefits continue up until planting time the next spring.
Christopher Braunschweig/Southwest Iowa Ag Mag
A rain gauge on a Jasper County farm measures about 1 inch of water after a May storm. Heavy rainfall saturated and flooded fields this spring, burdening farmers who want to finish planting before deadline.
Soil testing Al-Kaisi also said that no matter what methods of recovery a farmer chooses, soil testing should be done to ensure the land has returned to usable crop ground. Some issues that flooding can cause are low potassium and phosphorus levels. “Potassium deficiency can occur due to soil compaction,� he said. Soil should be tested after it has dried and allowed to aerate. “Floods bring with them a lot
of potential for nutrient additions and losses to agricultural fields and the only way to know where your field stands is to test the soil,� said
Jason Clark, Assistant Professor and South Dakota State University Extension Soil Fertility Specialist.
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Toils of the
Farmer trade aid sprouts uncertainty
n
By CHRISTOPHER BRAUNSCHWEIG
trade
Southwest Iowa Ag Mag
Financial assistance is on its way for farmers affected by the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, as well as the fallout from natural disasters this past spring. Some Iowa producers are uncertain of the exact dollar amounts and timing of the incoming trade aid and disaster aid packages. Richard Roorda, a farmer from Prairie City, admits he doesn’t know all the details, but he is sure that agricultural producers have “felt the brunt” of the retaliation over the trade disagreements with China, as well as wet planting season complications. “When that export market was Christopher Braunschweig/Southwest Iowa Ag Mag lost, yeah, the soybean market reRichard Roorda, a farmer from Prairie City, said he does not know many details of the incoming trade ally took quite a tumble,” Roorda aid package but said farmers certainly feel the brunt of the retaliation over the trade disagreements said. “The loss of demand and the with China, coupled with the adverse weather conditions during planting season. Below, soybeans same amount of supply meant that sprout from farmer Richard Roorda’s field in Prairie City. the price had to go down. And it did. When those tariffs went into lion in disaster aid will “provide ers, he said, did not have to prove cle states. For example, if producplace and we lost that market, it did as much help as possible to all our losses in 2019 crops and livestock, tion is high enough, farmers prohave a big effect on the soybeans affected producers,” noting that only their production. A cap of ducing soybeans and hogs could and, to a smaller extent, the corn.” $16 billion is anticipated to be dis- $125,000 is set in each of the three be eligible for up to $250,000. Like many farmers in Jasper persed amongst farmers negatively categories of commodities: “one Some critics have raised concerns County, Roorda planted a roughly impacted by the “trade disruption.” for soybeans and other row crops, over payment limits. Karnowski’s article stated the Perdue announced in May the one for pork and dairy, and one 50-50 rotation of corn and soybeans details of who exactly qualifies for cherries and almonds.” United States Department of Agthis year, which is typical. StormPayments can be claimed from for payments under the $16 MFP riculture will initiate a second Marwater did not tarnish his fields and how much crop he intended to ket Facilitation Program (MFP) to more than one category, the arti- have not been announced. plant (although it did affect his tim- assist farmers adversely affected by ing), unlike so many other farmers the trade war, but only those who whose crops were destroyed from have actively planted their acreagflooding of nearby rivers and fre- es. He also acknowledged farmers and ranchers are facing “significant quent bouts of rain. According to information gath- challenges” this year. ered by the Associated Press, fedHe added, “I know they’re diseral programming has paid out couraged, and many are facing more than $8.5 billion to farmers, difficult decisions about what to do a majority of which (about $7.1 bil- this planting season or if they’ve lion or about 415,791 farmers) have got the capital to stay in business, been soybean growers in states like but they shouldn’t wait for an anIowa, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, nouncement to make their deciNebraska, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, sions. I urge farmers to plant for the North Dakota and South Dakota. market and plant what works best Roughly $1 billion was paid out on their farm, regardless of what to Iowa, the second highest amount type of assistance programs USDA behind Illinois. is able to provide.” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture In a June 30 Associated Press arSonny Perdue said in a June 10 ticle, reporter Steve Karnowski exstatement the incoming $3 bil- plained how the MFP works. Farm AG Mag 11
RHUBARB:
from medicine to Midwestern treat By LUKE EDWARDS Southwest Iowa Ag Mag
Many Iowans can nostalgically recall the sweet, tart flavor of their grandmother’s rhubarb pie or rhubarb crisp on a midwestern summer evening just as some can recall being asked by their kindly grandmothers to go fetch a few of the pinkish-red and meaty stalks from the rhubarb patch. Whether they were carefully prepared for a gathering or for the means of providing the family with a sweet and tart treat after a meal, the delicious desserts always created a call for seconds and ended with empty plates and full bellies. Lauri Long, a local baker from Creston, who makes various rhubarb breads for the local farmers’ market, recalls
a childhood memory of being given a small tub of sugar to use while eating a fresh stalk of rhubarb by her mother. “Growing up during the ‘50s and ‘60s, rhubarb was everywhere, everyone had it,” said Long. “I remember my mom and dad’s yard was full of rhubarb and strawberries. But I had never heard of rhubarb and strawberries being used together in cooking until recently. There are plenty of people around who love the strawberry-rhubarb bread, and those that just enjoy regular rhubarb bread.” Despite being known as a delicious culinary delight, most are not aware of the rich and ancient history of this what most of their ancestors in CONTINUED ON 13
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far flung history would have considered an exotic plant that, for centuries, served as an herb to apothecaries in late Medieval Europe, which were brought there by the Turks via the Silk Road, from the highlands of China. Such was the way of the world until Marco Polo, knowing the expense and demand for this plant, found its source in the mountains of the then Tangut province in China. It was not until the 17th century when sugar had become more affordable and available to the masses that rhubarb was adapted for culinary use. Despite the development of culinary rhubarb in Europe, the plant had been used for food in the Islamic world since the 10th century. Though the true origin of culinary rhubarb is unknown, it is thought to likely have resulted from the hybridization of two medicinal
varieties in England and Scandinavia. Rhubarb’s adoption in the United States as a crop is generally believed to have begun I the 1820s. However, the plant was grown by John Bartram, an early American botanist, in the 1730s. Even Thomas Jefferson grew a form of rhubarb in his gardens at Monticello. Since then, the rest is history. There is an infinite number of rhubarb dishes from the typical desserts we know and love, to the savory rhubarb pork casserole. The various varieties of rhubarb available today are also as unique as the recipes they are used in. Rhubarb plants come in all shapes and sizes. All ranging from thin stalks of a deep purple hue with green leaves, from pink, to speckled, and some with large red stalks, that are two inches in diameter. One doesn’t realize it at first, but the sky really is the limit when it comes to rhubarb.
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Teaching youth about Native Bees
Bumblebees are a type of native bee that assist in the pollination of plants and vegetables.
By PAM PRATT
Southwest Iowa Ag Mag
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is abuzz about native bees. The extension has worked with several research partners to craft the Native Bee Challenge which aims to teach youth about the importance of native bees and the role they play in agriculture. Now, if you’re thinking about honey bees, think again. This program focuses on the lesser known species of bees the important role they serve in pollinations of crops and vegetables. Lynne Campbell, STEM professional development specialist, said the project began with a grant from the National 4-H Council. Researchers on the ISU campus went about developing a curriculum to help teach youth about the importance of pollinators. The grant program is working with business partner, Dave Hunter, owner and operator of Crown Bees (https://crownbees. com/). Hunter is about passionate educating farmers and gardeners about the importance of native bees to agriculture. Hunter started his career as an engineer, working in corporate America. He was a hobby native bee enthusiast, but he became so interested in their role, he gave up 14 Summer 2019
his engineering career and focused on his native bee work. “That’s the other thing that we want people to see are the STEM careers that are possible through these experiences,” Campbell said. He uses the Native Bee Network because he wants to know where these native bees are located. Together with the researchers at ISU, they use this network to help track the bee population. Part of the mission of the program is to teach people the difference between the native bees and the bees everyone always thinks of first, the honey bee. What most people don’t realize is that there are more than 4,000 different species of native bees, which are different from the honey bees people think of. “Most people have know if its a bee, a fly or a wasp. Everybody kinda of lumps it into this bad category of “wasps I’m going to get stung” when these native bees are actually gentle bees,” Campbell said. Native bees are more effective pollinators. They are what Campbell calls “messy pollinators” but that’s what makes them more effective. Campbell used an apple orchard for example. She said two mason bees could pollinate the same amount of area that 100 honey bees could handle. It’s the work of all those involved to deliver these facts to people to further the
File Photo
understanding of the native bees. “That’s really what our land grant mission is at ISU Extension Outreach is sharing this research and the good, solid science with the citizens of Iowa and beyond,” Campbell said. Campbell said the youth program has been successful so far in its implementation. The program’s goal was to reach 1,000 youth in each of the five states participating in the program — Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Michigan. Both Iowa and Kansas have already exceeded 2,000 youth with similar numbers from Nebraska, Missouri and Michigan. Campbell expects the program to reach as many as 10,000 youth by the end of the grant period. To reach these youth, the extension office will host events throughout the year to teach the curriculum. “The program is called Ag Innovators Experience. It is designed to increase youth’s understanding of agriculture, promote STEM skills, teamwork and overall understanding for this particular experience is the connection of pollinators to our food supply,” Campbell said. There are currently 60 events planned to help deliver the programming to youth. CONTINUED ON 15
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According to Maya Hayslett, crop sciences youth education specialist at the ISU Extension, these events are part of the Native Bee Challenge and are being held at 40 different locations in 27 different counties all across Iowa. These events include workshops, school events, day camps, overnight camps, STEM festivals, and outdoor learning events such as conservation days and field days. These teaching events have three main activities. First the youth will build a model for pollination. This will help them understand how pollination works. They will learn about different kinds of native bees, such at the mason bees, leafcutter bees, bumble bees and more. Each bee pollinates in either the spring or summer and can be generalists or specialists. During the activity, youth will build a nest and then go collect pollen to illustrate the bee’s role in agriculture. The second activity uses a magnetic map with the different
stakeholders in a community. Each team of youth will have a chance to decide what role each of these people play in the pollinator process. “There’s a magnetic map also where they are asked to be part of the community. There’s different roles. There’s famers, there’s civic leaders, there’s homeowners, there’s a school. They are asked to think about ways they can increase habitat beneficial for bees and then adding bees that are also beneficial for crops,” Campbell said. The final activity allows the youth to build a native bee nest that they can take home with them. Native bees are unlike honey bees, because they don’t live in hives. They build their nests in sticks or fallen stems, called tubes, or they will nest in the ground. So campers will have the chance to apply what they learn after they leave, they are given 14 tubes of different sizes to build their own nest. “Native bees come in different sizes. They’re are small, medium and large native bees.
Each nest has a unique number that is attached to a Google map system. People can register their nest,” Campbell said. Campbell said the program is designed for youth to teach them about the importance to try to preserve the habitat for the native bees. They play a big role in the production and yield of crops and vegetables. Understanding the importance of native bees can help improve agricultural practices for the future. “(Teaching youth) is the model for this particular grant. It’s proving to be immensely successful. Youth are our next generation of decision makers. We need to insure that they have these experiences so they can be effective leaders. So they can solve the world’s problems that they are going to inherit,” Campbell said. Teaching the importance of the bees to youth is just one step in the equation. Everyone can play a part in the solution, Campbell said. Once the awareness and understanding
are there, people can begin to implement changes to help improve the native bee population. “That’s another message that I think is critical. You can plant habitat on your porch if you live in an apartment building. Or you can take some non-productive land out of production in your farm field and make that into pollinator habitat because you’re losing money on that plot of land anyway,” Campbell said. The effort to improve the habitat is beginning now, before it becomes a bigger problem than people can control. “Nobody is going to really worry about this until it affects their food supply which it could. It’s our crops. It’s our vegetables. It’s tomatoes, it’s apples, cherries, almonds all of those things rely on insect pollination,” Campbell said. To find out more about the Native Bee Challenge, visit the website at extension.iastate. edu/4h/native-bee-challenge.
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Native Bees such as bumblebees assist in pollinating garden plants such as tomatoes. The Native Bee Challenge is teaching youth the agricultural importance of preserving the habitat for native bees.
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USDA Farm Bill implementation progress update WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced an update on the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed this Farm Bill into law on December 20, 2018, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promptly began implementing key programs. In addition, USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public specific to each agency’s respective mission areas. “America’s farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers depend on the certainty and availability of USDA’s programs and assistance. That is why we are working diligently to implement the 2018 Farm Bill with efficiency and accuracy,” said Secretary Perdue. “We have listened to our stakeholders and consulted with our customers. As we continue to implement the Farm Bill, USDA is committed to focusing on responsiveness and putting our customers first.” Implementation Progress:
TITLE I Commodity Programs Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPPDairy): • Dairy producers who elected to participate in the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle Program in 2018 were able to retroactively participate in the MPP-Dairy for 2018. This enrollment opportuni-
ty ended on May 10, with more than $7 million dollars paid out to assist producers through this retroactive coverage as of May 28, 2019. • Farm Service Agency (FSA) began offering reimbursements to eligible producers for MPPDairy premiums paid between 2014-2017 on May 8, 2019. As of May 28, more than $1.7 million in cash refunds have been paid to dairy producers. Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC): • Dairy producers now have access to a new webbased decision tool, developed in a partnership with the University of Wisconsin, to evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels available through the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. • Sign-up began on June 17th with margin payments made to qualifying producers beginning in early July. • Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC): FSA will open ARC/PLC elections for the 2019 and 2020 crop years beginning in September 2019.
TITLE II Conservation Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): • FSA began accepting applications on June 3, 2019, for certain practices under the continuous CRP, offering a one-year extension to existing CRP participants who have expiring CRP contracts of 14 years or less,
and reopening enrollment for existing Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreements. • FSA plans to offer a General CRP sign-up in December 2019. • Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): On April 26, 2019, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released guidance to State committees to identify RCPP coordinators in each State. • Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): On May 10, 2019, NRCS posted guidance for state conservationists regarding the handling of participant requests to apply for new contracts, as well as extending unexpired contracts from 2014. Additional guidance was posted regarding changes needed for existing RCPP partnership agreements to enroll in new CSP contracts. • Technical Changes to NRCS Conservation Programs: On May 6, 2019, NRCS published an interim final rule to make existing regulations consistent with the 2018 Farm Bill. These include: • Waiving duplicative requirements under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program; • Expanding the purposes of the Healthy Forests Reserve Program to allow protection of at-risk species and allowing permanent easements on Tribal lands; • Authorizing that certification of technical service providers be through a
qualified non-federal entity; and • Requiring that $3 million of funds to implement the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program be used to encourage public access for hunting and other recreational activities on wetlands enrolled in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG): * On May 15, 2019, NRCS announced that it is investing $25 million per year over the next five years to help support On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials, part of the CIG and available to farmers eligible to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. NRCS will accept proposals through July 15, 2019 for the new On-Farm Trials. • On May 30, 2019, NRCS announced the availability of $12.5 million to support CIG on agricultural lands. NRCS will accept proposals through July 30, 2019.
TITLE III Trade • Borlaug Fellowship Program 2019: On May 6, 2019, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)for the Borlaug Fellowship Program. • Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement: On May 20, 2019, Secretary Perdue signed the Local CONTINUED ON 17
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and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program report and it was sent to Congress. • Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation:on May 28, 2019, FAS announced a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for FY 2020 Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, Emerging Markets Program, and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program funding. Submissions are due on June 28, 2019.
TITLE IV Nutrition Programs • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):On April 12, 2019, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published the solicitation for the FY 2019 SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grants required by Section 4010 of the Farm Bill. Responses were due by June 10, 2019. • The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): On April 15, 2019, FNS issued an information memorandum on TEFAP state plan changes and information on TEFAP food funding. • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):On April 16, 2019, SNAP staff provided key technical assistance to National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for the 2019 Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program solicitation. The Request for Funding was updated on May 9, 2019 and applications were due June 10, 2019. • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):On, April 18, 2019, FNS launched the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. This pilot will be eval-
uated to help inform the regulations required by Section 4001 of the Farm Bill. • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR): On May 9, 2019, FNS held a monthly FDPIR Farm Bill Implementation Call with Tribal Leaders. • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): On May 5-8, 2019, FNS attended the American Commodity Distribution Association Conference in Niagara Falls and provided updates on the Farm Bill’s CSFP and TEFAP provisions. • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):On May 17, 2019, FNS issued three associated documents to the States: (1) a set of Q&As to follow up on the informational memo; (2) an addendum to the E&T State Plan Handbook to provide instructions on reflecting the new self-enacting Farm Bill requirements in the State plan; and (3) information the new 100% funds reallocation process for 2020 that will be shared with the States.
TITLE V Credit • Loan Limits: On May 17, 2019, FSA issued an amendment to increase the loan limits as authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill – specifically, to $600,000 for direct loans and $1,750,000 for guaranteed loans. • Farm Ownership Loans:On May 8, 2019, FSA issued an amendment to clarify eligibility requirements for farm ownership loans, including increased loan limits, and waiver authority for the 3-year experience requirement in the case of a qualified beginning farmer or rancher.
TITLE VI Rural Development • Cushion of Credit:On June 7, 2019, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published the announcement of new Cushion of Credit Program Provisions affecting RUS borrower participation on the Federal Register. The current 5 percent rate will be paid to borrowers until September 30, 2020. Beginning on October 1, 2020, CoC deposits will earn 4 percent interest until September 30, 2021. Starting on October 1, 2021 and thereafter, account balances will earn the applicable, variable 1-year Treasury rate. BioPreferred Program C • Completed the transfer of the BioPreferred / BioBased Markets program from Department Administration to Rural Business Cooperative Service to ensure the increased development, purchase, and use of biobased products. • Interagency Task Force on Rural Water Quality:The Rural Utility Service will host the kick-off meeting on July 10, at the USDA Whitten Building. • Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development:Rural Development is holding the next meeting with support from the Office of Science Technology Policy on July 10, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Implementation Outreach • Presented at the P3 Water Summit and the Council on Infrastructure Financing Authorities (CIFA) in San Diego, California and at the Infrastructure Investment Summit in Washington, DC on the Interagency Task Force on Rural Water Quality that will examine drinking water and surface water contamination in rural commu-
nities. • The Innovation Center hosted a Human Experience (HX) Lab on May 23rdfocused on the Lender’s experience and interaction with Rural Development related to the Community Facilities and Water & Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan Programs.
TITLE VII Research and Related Matters • Matters on Certain School Designations and Declarations:On May 16, 2019, a Federal Register notice on Matters related to school designations and declarations was published (Section 7102). • Carryover of Funds for Extension at 1890 LandGrant Colleges:On May 24, 2019, guidance was sent to 1890 universities regarding this provision. (Sec. 7114)
TITLE VIII Forestry • On April 12, 2019, Forest Service participants attended a National Consultation on P.L.115-325 (Indian Energy Act/Woody Biomass) hosted by Department of Interior/ Bureau of Indian Affairs to capture Tribal input. • Good Neighbor Authority:On May 15, 2019, the Forest Service presented a virtual 2018 Farm Bill Listening Session, for Tribes; Tribal Forest Management Demonstration Project (also known as “638’ contracts). There was also discussion on tribal woody biomass projects authorized by Public Law 115-325 (amending the Tribal Forest Protection Act). • Tribal Forest Management Demonstration Project:On May 23, 2019, in Phoenix, AZ, Forest Service made a formal presentation on implementation of CONTINUED ON 18
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Section 8703 to the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. • Good Neighbor Authority:On May 31, 2019, Forest Service distributed non-financial templates to field offices for implementation of Good Neighbor Authority dealing with States.
TITLE IX Energy • Definition update for Biorefinery Assistance Program:(9001 & 9003) On April 23, 2019, a Notice in the Federal register was published with a definition update. • Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels:(Section 9005) The workplan was published in the Spring Regulatory agenda on May 22, 2019. • Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants:(Section 9007) The workplan was published in the Spring Regulatory agenda on May 22, 2019.
TITLE X Horticulture • Report on Plant Biostimulants:On April 22, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and representatives from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the Office of the Secretary (OSEC) and industry met to discuss the biostimulant report. The objective of the meeting was to outline the steps necessary to get the report completed, through clearance and to Congress by the December 21 deadline. • Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP):On April 18, 2019, AMS announced the availability of funding for the FMLFPP. These programs are part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (Sec. 10102). • Hemp: On February 27, 2019, AMS issued a Notice to Trade stating that USDA had begun the process of gathering information to initiate rulemaking to implement a program for the commercial production of
hemp. AMS also stated that under the 2018 Farm Bill tribes and institutions of higher education could continue operating under authorities of the 2014 until 12 months after USDA establishes the plan and regulations required under the 2018 Farm Bill. • Hemp: On April 18, 2019, AMS issued a Notice to Trade regarding importation of hemp seeds. • Hemp: On May 28, 2019, AMS issued two Notices to Trade (NTTs) regarding hemp production. The first of these speaks to questions raised concerning provisions pertaining to the interstate transportation of hemp and who may obtain a license to produce hemp. The second NTT clarifies avenues for Tribal participation under authorities in the 2014 Farm Bill to grow industrial hemp for research purposes during the 2019 growing season. • Plant Variety Protection Office: On April 24, 2019, AMS announced that the Plant Variety Protection Office will begin accepting applications for seed-propagated hemp for
plant variety protection. • Organic Agricultural Product Imports Interagency Working Group: On May 14, 2019, AMS established the Organic Agricultural Product Imports Interagency Working Group with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The first meeting will take place in June 2019.
TITLE XI Crop Insurance Forage • On April 23, the Federal Crop Insurance Board of Directors approved modifications to the annual forage policy to accommodate 2018 Farm Bill changes. • Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) • On April 26, the 2020 SRA changes were distributed to Approved Insurance Providers. The SRA includes new requirements for training loss adjusters and agents, including the submission of Actual Production History to RMA. CONTINUED ON 19
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TITLE XII Miscellaneous • The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program:On April 23, 2019, The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program RFA was issued (Section 4205). • Tribal Consultation:On May 1-2, 2019 USDA met with tribal leaders during the OneUSDA Farm Bill Tribal Consultation and discussed the 2018 Farm Bill implementation. • Pima Cotton Trust Fund: On April 15, 2019, FAS issued $27.3 million in payments under the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund. • Wool Trust Fund: On April 15, 2019, FAS issued $14.9 million in payments under the Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund. • Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives: On April 16, 2019, AMS announced the availability of funding for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (Sec. 12513). • Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program: On April 23, 2019, AMS announced the availability of funding for the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program (Sec. 12102). • Feasibility Study on Livestock Dealer Statutory Trust: On April 26, 2019, AMS published in the Federal Register a notice soliciting input for the study on a Livestock Dealers Trust (Sec. 12103). • Veteran Farmer or Ranch-
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er (12306): On April 26, 2019, RMA Implemented the new definition for Veteran Farmer or Rancher that gives the same benefit for Veterans as beginning farmers or ranchers. These benefits include: • Exemption from paying the administrative fee for catastrophic and additional coverage policies; Additional 10 percentage points of premium subsidy for additional coverage policies that have premium subsidy; • Use of another person’s production history for the specific acreage transferred to you that you were previously involved in the decision making or physical activities to produce the crop; and • An increase in the substitute Yield Adjustment, which allows you to replace a low yield due to an insured cause of loss, from 60 to 80 percent of the applicable transitional yield (T-Yield). • Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP):On June 20, 2019, USDA announced $75 million in funding for the eradication and control of feral swine through the FSCP in a joint effort between NRCS and APHIS. Applications are being accepted through August 19, 2019, for partners to carry out activities as part of these pilot projects in select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.
Be looking for the 2019 Fall/Winter issue of the Southwest Iowa AG Mag which will be arriving in your mailbox in November.
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Upbeat and fun
Adair young professional is finding his ag niche
Caleb Nelson/Southwest Iowa AgMag
Titan Immel, owner of AgHub Midwest, shows equipment in his seed treatment facility at his large campus outside of Menlo. Immel grew up on a family farm and continues farming today, but he’s begun to enjoy the agricultural sales sector of agriculture.
When farmers like Titan Immel of Adair plant each spring, they have a large investment to protect. Immel is working for farmers every step of the way to help them do that. Immel began AgHub Midwest, located at 1069 Pinewood Avenue, Menlo, IA, just off the Menlo exit on Interstate 80. They began building in July 2018, but didn’t open the doors to his new facility until Janu20 Summer 2019
ary. Through one planting season, Immel says he now has a better idea of what will work, what won’t and what needs improved upon for the next growing season. Immel has quickly found his niche in agriculture. He’s helping farmers face challenges day-to-day. He says that right now, one of those is the thistle caterpillar, which is especially important for soybean growers
to pay attention to. “There is a possible second hatch coming depending on how fast the life cycle is. With the cool, wet spring we had, more than likely the fungus pressure could be higher than it has been in previous years. A lot of guys are looking at a fungicide application just to protect the gross dollars out there,” Immel explained. “With the uptick in the market,
we potentially have the most dollars out in the field to protect than we have had in recent years.” Immel, who is only in his mid 20s, knows all about the investment farmers make and rely on for their livelihood because he’s farmed himself. “I grew up on a family farm, but I knew I wasn’t going to CONTINUED ON 21
Caleb Nelson/Southwest Iowa AgMag
AgHub Midwest owner Titan Immel examines a soybean plant in a field adjacent to the office building on his nine-acre campus near Menlo. Immel opened AgHub Midwest seeking to give producers an innnovative, upbeat and creative approach to all their needs from seed to chemicals, fertilizer, application and equipment.
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come home and just be able to farm,” said Immel, a graduate of Des Moines Area Community College. “I wanted to build on that. I started selling seed in high school and learned to love the ag sales business.” Now Immel and his team offer seed, chemical, fertilizer, application and shortline equipment. He reports that a new bulk seed storage facility is in the works for AgHub. They’re also expanding their fertilizer holding capacity and erecting a heated storage area for chemical and in season seed treatment. “I can store and pull chemical that can’t be frozen rather than keeping it at the distributor for a longer period of time,” Immel said. “It makes for a quicker turnaround for the customer.” Immel’s love for agriculture
and being immersed in it has always been accompanied by an investigative spirit where he always wanted to know more about why something was how it was. “Our focus here is the for the farmer,” Immel said. “At the end of the day, we want our growers to be happy and informed of the decision they are making.” Immel wants to do all this like no one else has before, and he’s enjoying the journey. “Our first year was definitely challenging at times but I’ve enjoyed the process. It makes it a lot of fun when it’s growing and changing all the time,” Immel said. “We want to create a different business for everybody buying products from us with a new, upbeat, creative atmosphere. We feel that’s what a lot of ag retailers are missing and we want to keep it fun for everyone involved.”
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Summertime Jam Iowa growers sell variety of homemade jams, jellies
Dawn Troutner at her booth during the farmer’s market in July in Newton.
Iowa growers sell variety of homemade jams, jellies at farmers’ markets
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By Dustin Teays
Southwest Iowa Ag Mag
Iowa jam makers are a staple at farmers’ markets all across the state, selling their homemade jams and jellies to anyone who passes by. The jam making process can 22 Summer 2019
be intensive but you can find a walk-through for the process on the internet fairly quickly, which will give you step-bystep instructions about the entire process. According to the Pick Your Own website, jam making can be broken down into 14 steps, which the website outlines for you to follow. These steps include sanitizing the jars, picking the right fruit and using the right amount of Pectin to make sure you get the right consis-
tency for you jam. The process begins with picking your fruit, whether it is from the store or picking your own fruit from your garden or from someone else’s patch. A lot of emphasis is placed on the kind of fruit you use and where you get it. The next part is making sure you are as sanitary as possible when going through the process. Makers need to sanitize jars and lids in boiling water before putting your jam in and
Dustin Teays/Southwest Iowa Ag Mag
sealing the jars. According to the Pick Your Own website, you can wash and boil the jars for 10 minutes. It is also important to remember to wash your fruit. Iowa Jam makers made their way to a July Newton farmer’s market. At the market, there was a wide variety of flavors from margarita and to strawberry to blueberry and many more. Even the CONTINUED ON 23
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pickiest of eaters can find a favorite among the plethora of flavors. A jam maker for more than 20 years, Nancy Woody didn’t always sell her goods. As a full-time employee at the Iowa Department of Transportation, Nancy’s Canned Creations came about after received encouragement from her friends and family. “My son said, ‘I think my friends have all they need. Have you thought about selling it?’” Woody said of her start in selling jam. Woody said she grows a lot of the fruit she uses which makes it easier to get her produce. She picks fruit from other people’s stock when it’s something she may not grow. “Then you buy some because I can’t grow bananas,” Woody said. Also at the farmers’ market was Dawn Troutner, owner of
C&T Gardens. Troutner offers not only jam for sale but also fruit she uses to make it. “My farm, I grow it ... I make jam out of what I grow and I just do a little,” Troutner said. Troutner said it was kind of a natural growth for her as she was already selling fruit and other produce at her stand in the farmers market, but she also got some inspiration from family, too. “Probably my grandma and my mother, you know. Just handed down from generation to generation,” Troutner said. Even the jam makers have favorite flavors among their selection at the farmers’ market. “The rhubarb strawberry or the rhubarb cherry ones ... because it’s good not only on toast but it’s good on ice cream,” Troutner said. Woody added, “My favorite is the lemon and the most popular is strawberry rhubarb and apple butter.”
Dustin Teays/Southwest Iowa Ag Mag
Nancy Woody with her homemade jams during a farmer’s market in July being held in Newton.
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Cover crop benefits clearer in drought and wet years “If you already have es- the interest in cover crops ing a cover crop makes great National Corn Growers tablished cover crops in a for planting on fields that sense to save fertility for enAssociation wet spring as we’ve had, it were flooded or otherwise vironmental and economic Joe Breker needs his own
tee shirt that reads “No Tillage, More Plants” or “Cover Crops Are Good Risk Management.” The North Dakota farmer thinks the tandem of no-till farm- Breker ing and the use of cover crops are key to making farmers more resilient in good times and bad, deluge or drought. That’s because National Corn Growers Association’s 2017 Good Steward Recognition Recipient has spent four decades working to make his farm more sustainable and he has seen the conservation and business benefits of protecting and enriching the soil with cover crops, especially when mother nature provides too little or too much rain.
protects the soil from erosion and in some cases can get you in the field faster. That’s important when getting planting done is a challenge,” Breker said. “Sure, some fields are just too wet but cover crops generally improve your chances for success in most years.” And Breker is not alone. A new report Cover Crop Economics from USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education says farmers around the country are planting cover crops on millions of acres. He says that’s because cover crops lead to healthier, more productive soil, adds biomass, sequesters greenhouse gases like carbon and improves nutrient cycling. The report is timely, as the latest Census of Agriculture revealed that national cover crop acreage increased by 50 percent from 2012 to 2017. It’s also timely due to
unplanted (prevent plant situations) this spring, in order to suppress weeds while protecting and improving the soil. Prevent Plant is a perfect opportunity for farmers to try cover crops, he says, both to get the experience and because soil suffers biologically without something growing on it. “Roots are critical for soil to be healthy and the worst possible scenario is to use tillage to keep weeds down.” “From the management side, we want to control the weeds. That will have to be done before putting the cover crop out. But once established cover crops help with longer-term weed control as well as helping to salvage nitrogen,” said Jim Isermann, field manager for the Soil Health Partnership. “If you applied nitrogen in the fall or spring, and didn’t get a corn crop out there, plant-
reasons.” Having this kind of motivation to introduce cover crops is also important to your commitment level and your success, Breker says. If you have challenges like weeds, fertility, erosion or compaction you are more likely to stay the course. You’re also more likely to see the faster agronomic and financial payback. Isermann notes it is critical to do your homework first because one-size does not fit all when tackling cover crops. Ask yourself; when can you plant? What seed is available? What herbicides are already applied? And use local, reputable sources to make sure you get it right. One good online resource he suggests is the Midwest Cover Crops Council because it is state specific and has a cover crop selector tool with links to more information.
USDA predicts smaller U.S. soybean crop in report Bethany Baratta ISA senior writer
In another month, Iowa soybean farmers will have a better idea of what this year’s soybean crop will yield. In another month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will too, with updated acreage and survey-based data to predict U.S. and global stocks. In its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released July 11, USDA predicts smaller soybean crops and lower ending stocks. “There really weren’t any surprises in this report. I think we’re still trying to wrap our minds around what is taking place from a production standpoint,” said April Hemmes, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board member from Hampton. The USDA estimated U.S. soybean plantings at 80 million acres in its July report. This was down from the June WASDE projection at 84.6 million acres. Plantings could be even less in the August WASDE report as it factors in a resurveying of farmers in Iowa and in other states impacted by adverse spring planting conditions, said Cory Bratland, chief grain strategist for Kluis Commodity Advisors. Prevent plant acres weren’t officially included in the July WASDE report, either, Brat-
Joseph L. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association
April Hemmes, ISA board member from Hampton, says all eyes are on the weather in determining this year’s soybean yield.
land said. The Aug. 12 WASDE report should include more of those numbers. According to the USDA, the deadline for prevent plant acres was pushed from July 15 to July 22. The National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) acreage survey will be combined with prevent plant information in the Aug. 12 WASDE report. That should give farmers a better idea of the marketplace,
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said Grant Kimberley, ISA director of market development. “Today’s WASDE report appears to be somewhat of a non-report,” he said. “Next month’s report should give us a better indication of soybean stocks as it takes into account prevented planting acres and the resurveyed acreage numbers.”
Shrinking ending stocks July beginning soybean stocks were pegged at 1.05 billion bushels in the report, down from 1.07 billion bushels estimated in the June report. Ending stocks were estimated at 795 million bushels, down from the 1.04 billion bushels in the USDA’s June WASDE report. Smaller ending stocks is good news, Kimberley says, but it’s largely due to USDA lowering its projections from the June report due to the NASS acreage report out in late June (which is now being redone). Yield per acre was lowered from 49.5 bushels per acre to 48.5 bushels per acre in this month’s report. Bratland said exports remain fairly strong, which will help eat away at soybean stocks. “Soybean demand is still strong (with other trading partners in the rest of the world) even without a trade deal with China,” Bratland said. Soybean exports in the report were projected at 1.87 billion bushels, down from the June estimate at 1.95 billion bushels.
Corn estimates The USDA estimated U.S. corn plantings at 91.7 million acres, up from 89.8 million acres estimated in the June WASDE report. Beginning stocks were estimated at 2.34 billion bushels in the report, up from 2.19 billion bushels in the June estimate. Ending stocks were raised in the report to 2.01 billion bushels, up from 1.67 billion bushels estimated in June. The average price, at $3.70, was down from the $3.80 per bushel estimated in June.
Weather, markets November soybeans were up a nickel to $9.16 a bushel at the close of the markets today. Bratland said farmers should watch the markets for opportunities to sell. “If soybean futures move higher to the upper $9 to $10 range, you better take advantage of it,” he said. There’s still plenty of weather risk, Bratland noted. “This crop is still in jeopardy,” Bratland said. “There’s a lot of late-planted soybeans out there. I think the 48.5-bushels-per-acre crop is still tough to achieve.” Hemmes said the soybean yields on her farm — like others across the state — depend largely on the weather. “We’re going to continue to watch the weather through the rest of the month and in August,” Hemmes said. “Once we get into August we’ll get updated acreage figures from the resurvey and get a better idea of what we’re looking at yieldwise.”
EPA maintains lackluster support of biodiesel industry Dave Walton
Soybean farmer and Iowa Soybean Association Secretary
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ruling flatlining Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) volumes in both 2020 and 2021 is extremely disappointing. At a time when soybean farmers need a lift, the EPA seems intent on expanding America’s petroleum industry at the detriment of farm families and rural communities. Maintaining flat volumes is not at all what we asked or hoped for. Meanwhile, the EPA continues to grant small refinery waivers, further decreasing volumes. The biodiesel industry is already operating considerably below capacity. Soybean farmers and biodiesel processors are
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‘Consider Corn Challenge’ winners focus on improving existing products
in the marketplace with corn-based next generation renewable materials National Corn Growers Association
At the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and AgTech July 8 in Des Moines, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the winners of the Consider Corn Challenge II. Three winners were chosen, each with a unique technology to improve a product or process using field corn to produce biobased materials. “Corn is a sustainable, abundant and affordable industrial feedstock that, as these companies have demonstrated, has myriad uses,” said Director of Market Development Sarah McKay. “The winners of the Consider Corn Challenge will help America’s corn farmers partner with industry to establish new uses of corn. This challenge continues to highlight the fact that U.S. corn is an extremely flexible feedstock
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for biobased products.” The three winners of the Consider Corn Challenge II are ExoPolymer, Inc., based out of San Carlos, California, Sumatra Biorenewables, LLC. from Ames, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service in Peoria, Illinois. ExoPolymer, Inc. intends to create a new profile of customizable, polysaccharide-based hydrocolloids that are domestically produced by microbial fermentation using corn sugar as a feedstock. These new hydrocolloids will meet the growing needs and performance gaps in the healthcare, personal care, food, pharmaceutical and energy industries. develops Sumatra Biorenewables, LLC and produces novel monomers that are incorporated into polyamides and polyesters to provide uniquely valuable prop-
erties: notably tensile strength and low water absorption. These superior performance-advantaged materials have wide-ranging applications in the specialty nylon’s industry. Opportunities include improved hydrophobicity, anti-static, flame-retardant, or have tuned mechanical strength to meet customer specifications. USDA Agriculture Research Service:National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois, plans to use emulsifiers, polymer films and coatings made from corn starch and vegetable oil rather than petroleum, which could open the door to new products with a smaller environmental “footprint.” The lab continued research on starchbased emulsifiers, positioning America’s corn farmers to grab a share of a global food emulsifiers market. “It is encouraging for farmers
to know that companies are looking for more environmentally friendly alternatives for biobased products,” said Nebraska farmer and NCGA Feed Food and Industrial Action Team Chair Dan Wesely. “Corn farmers continue to produce more year over year. While corn is used for food products, animal feed, fuel and other uses annually, we historically have had enough corn left over to supply additional needs. In 2018, there was more than 2.2 billion bushels, or 55.8 million tons, of U.S. corn ending stocks.” The total prize pool for the contest was U.S. $150,000. Each of the three winners received $50,000.
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Farmers do a lot more than you think Photos by Christopher Braunschweig
Ben and John Van Dalen, both of Newton, use spades to rid excess concrete from the recently placed foundation that will hold a tower and two “grain legs.” Once completed, the system will be able to transfer grain onto trucks more efficiently and quickly. 28 Summer 2019
After building a concrete foundation for a “grain leg,” which helps transfer Joey Van Kooten, of Kellogg, hops aboard a skid loader after placing equipm Kooten was joined by a handful of Jasper County farmers to complete earl
Above: Work shoes worn by John Van Dalen, of Newton, are covered in dust, dirt and cement after building a foundation for a bucket elevator on the Van Kooten farm in Kellogg. Farmers do more than just work fields and livestock pins. Sometimes they have to build facilities to help production, storage and transportation of grain.
r or flow grain from nearby bins, ment in the vehicle’s bucket. Van ly phases of the job.
Another Kellogg farmer’s completed grain leg connects to nearby grain bins.
Left, John Van Dalen, of Newton, pauses while trimming away the excess concrete that was poured or scraped off the recently placed foundation that will support a bucket elevator. Van Dalen said the bucket elevator is equipped with a rubber belt with cups along the side to scoop grain at high speeds.
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The Warin Family Farm: 150 years of heritage By VICTORIA PALMA Southwest Iowa AgMag
Seven miles south of Clearfield, Iowa, the Warin family farm celebrates 150 years of heritage. The Warin farm history began in 1859 when Mike Warin’s great grandfather migrated from France, to Ohio before settling in Iowa. Then, in 1889, 80 acres were purchased for $6 per acre, which the Warin’s have owned for 150 years this year. Today, farm operations are run by Mike Warin, his son Joe Warin, and Joe’s wife, Donna. Since then, the Warins have made changes to the technology they use and what they farm. The farm includes 1,200 acres and the Warins utilize their land for corn, soybeans, cattle, hay and hogs. In the early 1960s, Mike raised sheep before making the transition to the hog business, where he and Joe have stayed in ever since. Previously, Joe and Donna raised chickens for Campbell’s
Soup in the early 1990s. “We use to have 80,000 hare at a time and we did that for about 20 years,” said Mike. “It is my ultimate goal to keep our farm going alongside my father and grandfather, so that I can continue to support what my ancestors started years ago,” said Megan Warin, the youngest daughter of Joe and Donna. While agriculture is a big influence within the Warin family, so is higher education – three generations of Warins have attended Iowa State University. Katelyn Mass, Joe and Donna’s oldest daughter, graduated from Iowa State with a degree in ag communications, and Megan will be graduating in 2021 with an ag business degree. “Nothing compares to being raised in the agriculture industry, and I hope the knowledge I have gained through internships and at Iowa State University allow me to bring fresh ideas to our family farm to keep improving and be aware of opportunities,” Megan said. Victoria Palma/Southwest Iowa AgMag
Above, Mike Waren, third generation farmer, watches as the corn goes into the grain auger so it can be loaded into the semi.
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