News Center newsletter

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
April 29: Deadline to sign up for Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)
May 14: Deadline to complete CRP Management Activities
May 15 - August 1: CRP Primary Nesting Season
May 31: Deadline to apply for a Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) for 2023 crops

Dairy Margin Coverage Signup Begins
Dairy producers are now able to enroll for 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), an important safety net program offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences. This year’s DMC signup began on Feb. 28, 2024, and will end on April 29, 2024.

For those who sign up for 2024 DMC coverage, payments may begin as soon as March 4, 2024, for any payments that triggered in January 2024.

Do you know someone who deserves to be considered for the Iowa Master Farmer Award? Nominate them. Nominations for the 2025 Award are due September 6, 2024.

Maybe it’s your parents, a sibling, your neighbors, a friend or a colleague. Perhaps its someone you’ve served with on a board, or someone you’ve long looked up to. Candidates may also nominate themselves.

Henry A. Wallace started the Master Farmer Award program in 1926 to recognize “Good Farming, Clear Thinking, Right Living.” A panel of judges selects the winners each year. Wallaces Farmer recognizes the winners in the magazine’s March issue.

Larry Gene Dawson of St. Paul, MN died March 23, 2024, at the age of 82, from complications of Lewy Body Dementia, a disease that he endured for five and a half years. His family will honor Larry with a private celebration of life later this year. Memorials may be given to local EMTs or libraries.

Larry was born in Hamburg April 12, 1941 to James and Doris (Wynn) Dawson. He was raised on a farm in Riverton near the West Nishnabotna River.  He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University.

Larry settled in Monona where he taught Social Studies and coached girls athletics for ten years. He married Sherie Henderson August 6, 1971. After starting his family, he worked for the Land O’Lakes/Cenex Farmers’ Cooperative in Monona for 32 years. Upon retiring in 2009, he and his wife relocated to St. Paul, MN.

Sandra Jean (Ellefson) McCoy passed away peacefully at home, following an illness, Friday, March 29, surrounded by her family. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 20 at the Waukon Event Center (formerly Waukon Banquet Center) from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. A private burial will be held at the IOOF (Odd Fellows) Cemetery, Rossville.

Sandy was born June 7, 1951 to Junice (Ellefson) Bolsinger. She attended high school in Lansing, graduating from St. George High School. She married Ronald Smerud, and the couple had a daughter, Kelly. They later divorced. Sandy worked in housekeeping at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon for a time. After that, she worked at Walmart in Prairie du Chien, WI and retired from there.

James (Jim C.) Gruber, 91, of Lansing passed away peacefully the morning of April 2, 2024 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held Sunday, April 14 at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall from 4-7 p.m.

There will be a private family burial Monday, April 15 at Oak Hill Cemetery. Pastor James “Buck” Buckhahn is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Oak Hill Cemetery.

James Clifford Gruber was born November 13, 1932 to Clifford and Esther (Thompson) Gruber in Lansing. He attended country school until fifth grade and then continued his education in Lansing. He graduated from Lansing High School in 1950. After graduation he farmed with his parents.

Jim was united in marriage to his dancing partner, Jean Wurtzel, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lansing February 10, 1963. From their union three sons, David, Dennis and Daryl, were born.

Captain Walter Allen Verdon, Ph.D., age 85, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, February 21, 2024, at Hospice of Dayton, Inc. in Dayton, OH. A memorial service to celebrate Walter’s life will be held at Lansing United Methodist Church, 490 Center Street, Lansing May 11, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. CT. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the veterans’ charity of your choice.

Walter was born Saturday, May 14, 1938, to Harold Edward and Grace Estell (née Larson) Verdon in Stevens Point, WI. He lived a life characterized by dedication, intellect, and service. He will be remembered for his distinguished career as a Professor of Economics and his service as an officer in the United States Navy and United States Navy Reserves. Walter’s courage and commitment were exemplified during his service aboard the U.S.S. Nobel during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Thomas (Tom) James Schulte, age 83, entered eternal life April 1, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, April 6 at Sacred Heart Parish in Horicon, WI. A private burial will be held later. Memorials for Tom can be made to  https://www.givetossmhealth.org.

Tom was born March 1, 1941, to Vincent and Rose Schulte in Spring Grove, MN, the first of seven children. Tom grew up on the family farm in Dorchester, attended rural schools, and graduated from Waukon High School in 1959. After graduation, Tom enlisted in the Army Reserve. Soon after that, he began his career in the farm cooperative industry at Waukon Equity Cooperative.

In 1965 he was united in marriage to Carole Olson at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon. Together they raised five children in Iowa and Wisconsin. His career spanned 40 years, and he retired from United Cooperative in 2003.

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  This year will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Toe Tappers, as part of the night’s musical line-up.

The event will again be held Friday evening of Mother’s Day Weekend, May 10, from 6-11 p.m. This year the event will be held at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion to allow for more room to enjoy the show, dancing, expanded seating and additional food options to be available this year.

“Over 50 years for The Toe Tappers, and over 45 for a number of our BBF guys.  What an honor to share the night with them,” states Bill Withers Jr., event coordinator.  “I hope everyone comes out to celebrate around a great cause!”

by Tami Gebel, Occupational Therapist at Veterans Memorial Hospital
 
At Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH), the Occupational Therapy Department is celebrating national awareness of its profession throughout the month of April. As occupational therapists, our role is to help people regain function following injuries and illnesses.  We treat people who have hip or knee replacement surgery, heart attacks, pneumonia, strokes, diabetes, generalized weakness, skin burns and joint contractures, breathing difficulties, and many other diagnoses.

by VMH Community and Home Care and the Iowa Department of Public Health
 
Public health plays an important role in Iowa’s high standard of living. The goal of public health is helping to create an environment where people can live in good health. Public health helps make good health happen in Iowa’s homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplace.

Public health is more than just state and local government agencies. The public health community works together to fight disease and promote healthy lifestyles through the use of nutrition education, physical activity, immunization clinics, disease surveillance  and home nursing and home care aide visits.