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Popular farm conservation program is revived from hiatus

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Continuous sign-up under the Conservation Reserve Program is now open in Iowa and runs through mid-August.

Greg Reisdorff, with the Farm Service Agency, says they’ve restarted the popular program after putting it on hold.

“Currently, there’s 22.7-million acres enrolled in CRP and the cap under the last Farm Bill is 24-million acres,” Reisdorff says, “so, we’re going to take some more sign-up right now.”

He says CRP has always been a popular program, moreso now.

“I think it has something to do with the commodity prices but there’s just a lot of interest right now,” Reisdorff says. “We’ve got people asking all the time about enrolling in CRP. I expect there’ll be a lot of interest when people start making some appointments to come in.”

Reisdorff says the deadline for continuous CRP sign up is tied to the Farm Bill, which is set to expire this fall on September 30th.

“They want to make sure all of the offers we get, we get them processed, we get them accepted and we get them approved before the end of September,” Reisdorff says. “The deadline for producers to sign an offer is August 17th. Then, we have to get conservation planning done by NRCS and get the contracts approved.”

Reisdorff says for any CRP contract that’s expiring this fall and is less than 15 years, enrollees can apply for a one-year extension.

For more information, contact your local county Farm Service Agency office.

By Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton

New Hubbell-Hart ticket visits Hart’s home territory

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Fred Hubbell, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Rita Hart, his running mate, went to Clinton today to meet with Hart’s hometown supporters. Hart, a farmer from nearby Wheatland, told the crowd it was a difficult decision to join the Hubbell campaign and end her bid for reelection to the state senate representing Clinton County and parts of neighboring Scott County.

“It has been such a pleasure to serve you guys, to work with you and for you for six years,” Hart said. “I look at each one of your faces and I see a memory there.”

Today’s campaign event was originally scheduled inside Clinton County Democratic Party Headquarters, but moved outdoors to a park across the street because of the overflow crowd. Hubbell promised the audience Governor Kim Reynolds has pursued a “shortsighted and destructive agenda” that he and Hart will reverse. Hart said she and Hubbell are pursing a “put people first” agenda.

“You are the people we need to fight for and with,” Hart said, “and that’s what we’re going to do as we continue on this great journey.”

Democrats from Clinton and Scott Counties will meet soon to select someone else to run for Hart’s state senate seat, but no date has been set yet for the district nominating convention.

(Reporting by Dave Vickers, KROS, Clinton)

Cedar Falls boy gains 90,000 Twitter followers by petting dogs

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Kidd with Gunner

A northeast Iowa boy has amassed a tremendous, international following on Twitter thanks to his simple love for dogs.

Nine-year-old Gideon Kidd of Cedar Falls has a website that features photos of himself petting a variety of canines at www.ivepetthatdog.com. It all started when he created a blog when he was seven, with the help of his mom.

“I just thought of it and I love dogs and I wanted to show the world these amazing creatures,” Kidd says.

At the suggestion of his mom, Kidd started posting pictures of the dogs he met on Twitter instead of just the website, and now, @IvePetThatDog has more than 90,000 followers.

Each photo is accompanied by a few sentences about the dogs, just basic questions he’ll ask the owner or caretaker.

“For starters, can I pet your dog and what’s his name?” Kidd says. “Then, I ask about the dog, like, where did you get the dog, how old is your dog, what type of breed, your dog’s personality, any funny stories? Does he like playing? Any favorite toys?”

Besides dogs in his neighborhood, Kidd meets new dogs at places like the farmers market or the Cedar Bend Humane Society. He and his mom go out nearly every day to “get” a dog.

Rachel Braunigan says her son is “extremely social” and she thought it would be a good way for him to meet people.

“He said he wanted to take pictures of all the dogs he met and I was confused at first,” Braunigan says. “Then, he said he wanted to put them up for people to see and I said, ‘Like a website?’ and he said, ‘Yeah!’ So, we decided to try it and I didn’t think it would last this long.”

After being featured on “The Today Show,” Kidd’s number of followers on Twitter bounded from the hundreds into the tens of thousands. Why is it so popular?

“I think it’s just the simplicity of it,” Braunigan says. “It’s a boy, a dog and a short story. It’s not an opinion. It’s nothing polarizing. It’s just the simplicity and people love dogs.” Braunigan says she monitors her son’s online activities. “Everything he posts I’m there to make sure it’s okay, so he doesn’t see things I don’t want him to see and I monitor who he follows,” she says. “It’s such a surreal experience.”

The two made their comments on the Iowa Public Radio program “Talk of Iowa.”

Thanks to Charity Nebbe, Iowa Public Radio

City of Burlington paying $2 million to settle 2015 police shooting case

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Two weeks ago, a settlement was announced between the City of Burlington and the family of Autumn Steele, who was shot to death by a Burlington police officer three and a half years ago. Dave O’Brien, the Steele family’s attorney, today announced the family agreed to a settlement of two million dollars, but it “absolutely” does not end the family’s effort to have more information about the case released to the public.

“The family feels very strongly about the need to release this body cam video and other evidence in the case,” he said. “However, we are going to comply with confidentiality put in place and until we can get the details of that sorted out, we won’t be releasing any additional information.”

O’Brien said he has no time frame for when a final agreement about what may be released to the public will be completed.

“As the court order regarding confidentiality and what materials that we developed as part of this case and discovered as part of this case — as that becomes available and we know whether or not be can release it, we will be releasing more information,” he said.

The Iowa Freedom of Information Council has joined the family’s effort to get more than 12 seconds of the policeman’s body-cam video and other information related the case released to the public. The watchdog group is still engaged in a fight in U.S. District Court for all sealed documents in the case to be released. In January of 2015, 34-year-old Autumn Steele was shot by a Burlington policeman responding to a domestic call. The policeman says he fired his gun at a dog who was attacking him.

(By Steve Putney, KBUR, Burlington)

When facing a bee infestation, this guy won’t tell you to buzz off

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Photo by Matthew McGuire, Des Moines Backyard Beekeepers

Discovering a large swarm of bees in a hollow tree or in an abandoned building can be unnerving. For some Iowans, the first instinct is to destroy the insects, but there are alternatives.

Sixty-two-year-old Jeff Becvar of Indianola is a bee removal specialist. He says it’s not an easy task, but the honeycomb and its residents can be relocated.

“I use a bee vacuum to collect up all the excess bees,” Becvar says. “They are not harmed. They are actually put into a hive-box that’s converted into a vacuum with a vacuum head on top of it and they’re ventilated as well so they don’t suffocate or overheat.”

Becvar has been using this specialized skill for more than 26 years. He says it’s hard work and it can be dangerous for both the bees and those doing the removal.

“It’s extremely difficult,” he says. “The one I’m working on currently, three beekeepers have looked at it and all three have backed away from it. Not everyone is prepared for this. It’s a pretty daunting task to open up somebody’s house, get in there and remove bees.”

Becvar and a few other bee removal specialists in Iowa are called on an average of 85 times each year. He says the prime time for “cut outs” as they’re called is mid-May through August.

He says he gets stung nearly every time.

Thanks to Pat Blank, Iowa Public Radio

 

 

Iowa pork producer donates 30 tons of pork loins to state’s needy

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Today marks the start of a two-week effort to feed the needy in Iowa called “Haul Out Hunger.”

The state’s largest pork producer will be filling freezers at food banks, pantries, schools and churches.

Allyson Ladd, spokeswoman for the Iowa Falls-based Iowa Select Farms, says they’ll be delivering boneless pork loins by the ton.

“School is out for summer so food pantry supplies are at an all-time low,” Ladd says. “We schedule our donations so that it’s timely and so these pantries can have access to fresh, high-quality, protein-packed products like pork when families need it most.”

Ladd says the total donation will be around 60,000 pounds of pork, or about 30 tons.

“The pantries really appreciate the five-pound pork loins we donate,” Ladd says. “From each pork loin, families are going to get about 24 servings of pork, so when it’s all said and done, we’ll have donated about 292,000 servings of pork for families in need here in Iowa.”

The effort is also being made possible by the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation. The pork is being delivered through July 2nd.

Deliveries at many of the food pantries will be live-streamed on the Iowa Select Farms Facebook page.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City

Iowans part of military reserve exchange program with Germany

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A German Luftwaffe officer was in Iowa this week as part of a military reserve exchange program.

Lieutenant Julia Renke, a personnel officer from Germany’s Air Force, visited Sioux City’s 185th Air Refueling Wing. “It’s a great opportunity to get to know American units, as kind of an ambassador between both countries,” Renke said. “It gives you an inside look, which you wouldn’t get in different ways. So, this exchange program between Germany and America is just a special experience.”

Renke took flights on aircraft housed at both the 185th in Sioux City and at the 132nd Wing in Des Moines. “I got to ride on a Black Hawk (helicopter) and I got to go on the KC-135 on a mission,” Renke said. “We saw some F-16s getting refueled, which was amazing for me to get to experience.”

As part of the Defense Military Reserve Exchange Program, 1st Lieutenant Joshua Thomas — Sustainment Services Flight Commander with the 185th — will visit German bases in September. It’ll be his first trip overseas. “I’m very excited to go to Germany for two weeks…and learn their military programs and how both the reserves and active duty units work over there,” Thomas said.

Another officer from Germany and the 132nd Guard unit in Des Moines are also been taking part in the exchange program.

Reporting by Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City

PHOTO: U.S. Air National Guard 1st Lt. Joshua Thomas, the Sustainment Services Flight Commander assigned to the 185th Air Refueling Wing, poses for a photo with German Luftwaffe (air force) Lt.  Julia Renke, a personnel officer, at Sioux City Iowa, June 3, 2018. Renke and Thomas are a part of an officer transfer program designed to enhance service member’s abilities to work and communicate with individuals from various NATO nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Ter Haar)

 

Two mega grain bins will hold millions of bushels of corn for Atlantic ethanol plant

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An ethanol plant in southwest Iowa features two of the world’s largest free-standing grain bins, big enough that you could park a 757 inside each one.

Elite Octane, in Atlantic, has two bins that are 156-feet in diameter and about 16 stories tall, each with a capacity of two-million bushels of corn. Elite Octane president and CEO Nick Bowdish says a big investment is hidden under the bins.

“We’ve got $1.4-million stuck in the ground,” Bowdish says. “There’s 1,384 concrete piles about 16-inches in diameter and 14-feet deep with both bins combined. That’s all structural support to hold the weight of what these bins store.” The two bins were built by Sukup  Manufacturing, based in Sheffield. It took some 200 semis to supply all of the materials to construct them.

Beside the monster bins is the corn-receiving area. Bowdish touted the speed and efficiency of the grain dumping process. “When you time it and you stand here, the farmer pulls in and opens both doors, it’s right at one minute for the grain to fall out of his trailer,” he says. “By the time he rolls his doors shut, gets back in his truck, pulls out and the next truck pulls over the pit, that takes about one minute. At that point, the pit’s empty and the next truck is wide open again.”

As part of the fuel-making process, yeast will be sitting in huge tanks for around 60 hours, eating sugars and creating ethanol and carbon dioxide. “The CO2 is all collected, run through a scrubber — to make it absolutely pure — and then today, we vent that to atmosphere,” Bowdish says. “There are some plants that will spend money and add on a side project where they compress the CO2 and sell it to bottling companies like Coca-Cola or some people make dry ice out of it. That might be something we look at down the road.”

The plant plans to ramp up to near-capacity production next week. It has a holding capacity of six-million gallons of ethanol which Bowdish says is about 15 days of production for the plant.

(By Ric Hanson, KJAN, Atlantic)

 

John Deere celebrates 100 years of building tractors in Waterloo

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John Deere is celebrating a century of tractor production in the northeast Iowa city where it all began in 1918.

The company is hosting a two-day community celebration in downtown Waterloo today and tomorrow that features everything from vintage tractors and engines, to kids games, and live music. Kelly Henderson is John Deere’s project manager and event co-organizer.

“This is really a celebration to thank our community, our customers, our fans, and all of our employees for the past 100 years that we’ve had here in the Cedar Valley,” Henderson said. Three venues and about four blocks of city streets are being used for the century celebration. More than 111 vintage tractors and engines will be on display.

“We have collectors who are bringing in tractors from all over, as well as our archive tractors that have come out of storage for this show,” Henderson said. “I’m told that there are a lot of collections that have never been seen together before, taking place here in Waterloo.” The two-day celebration will include a display so large that, according to Henderson, specific details have been kept secret from corporate executives. That display is located inside the exhibit hall at the Waterloo Convention Center.

“We have set up our entire 100 years of John Deere history through eight eras, breaking it out,” Henderson said. “These will be large cylinders suspended from the ceiling that walks you through not only John Deere’s history, but what was happening in the community, and the world at the time.” The museum will have a blacksmith and other demonstrations, along with some children’s activities and a photo booth. Henderson said, while this is a celebration of 100 years of tractors, it’s also a recognition of the company’s partnership with the Cedar Valley.

“We have over 5,000 employees and thousands of retirees in the area. We all live, work, volunteer, and contribute to the communities,” Henderson said. The century celebration runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. today (Friday) and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, concluding with a free concert by Joe Diffie at 6 p.m. Diffie is best known for his 1993 song “John Deere Green,” which peaked at #5 on the country music charts. The celebration marks John Deere’s acquisition of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company in 1918, a purchase that thrust the then 80-year-old farm implement maker into the tractor manufacturing business.

(By Elwin Huffman, KOEL, Waterloo)

 

Regulators approve fine for Harrah’s in Council Bluffs, parking ramp for Hard Rock Sioux City

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The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission unanimously approved a development agreement today between the Hard Rock Casino and Sioux City for an $11 million parking ramp that will add up to 580 spaces and result in part of the casino being remodeled. Commission member Jeff Lamberti says the ramp helps the casino and city.

“We see it as being really good for both, to be able to provide that kind of parking — because it does matter you know when you get bad weather, I mean we have bad weather half of the year. Quality parking matters and certainly for the Tyson Center…it’s just a win-win for both,” Lamberti says. The commission met at the Hard Rock

and they also approved a 20-thousand dollar penalty for Harvey’s of Council Bluffs after an underage girl got onto the gaming floor. The girl’s parents distracted the casino security guard while her grandparents quickly sneaked her in. Lamberti says this is something that’s been tried at other casinos too.

“This is becoming a little more common. You know I’ve been on the commission now almost seven years and when I was first on I don’t recall where we were seeing family members and other adults really trying to facilitate or assist someone in breaking the underage gaming rules,” according to Lamberti. Lamberti says they commission members want to see everyone involved face a penalty.

“We have spent some time talking about it. We strongly encourage local law enforcement to charge not only the minor — but the family members that assist,” Lamberti says. The girl’s family has been barred from entering the facility following the violation.

(By Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City)