Agriculture

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encourages Iowans to nominate deserving farmers for the 2016 Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year Award. The award is given out each year to one statewide winner who is making outstanding contributions towards soil conservation and water quality. The award is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).
“The award recognizes a farmer who has gone above and beyond in their conservation efforts. It is important that we recognize the continuous voluntary improvements made by all Iowa farmers and help raise awareness about the efforts by farmers to conserve our valuable soil and protect water quality,” Northey said.

Kelvin Leibold, Farm Management Specialist, and Matt Helmers, Agriculture Engineer, will speak at the annual meeting of the Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association (NEIAEA) March 9 at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua. The program starts at 9:30 a.m. with a Call to Order for the annual board meeting.
From 10 a.m. to 12 Noon will be key presentations from Kelvin Leibold and Matt Helmers. Leibold will address “Cash Flow Crisis - causes, cures and opportunities for Iowa’s producers.” Helmers will discuss research and its implications from one of the premiere water quality research facilities in the nation. After lunch, Ken Pecinovsky, Research Farm Superintendent, will review research trial results conducted at the ISU Northeast Research Farm in 2015.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be will be announced at a later date.

New General CRP Sign-up
December 1, 2015 through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP sign-up. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP sign-up 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring September 30, 2016 may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP sign-up 49 will become effective October 1, 2016.
NOTE: Please do not wait until the February 26, 2016 deadline due to determining eligibility per crop history and other steps in the CRP sign-up process.

Local livestock producers and statewide and regional organizations are teaming up to host a field day February 27 for those interested in learning more about grazing, marketing and soil health in northeast Iowa. The Allamakee SWCD and Northeast Iowa RC&D are partnering with the Northeast Iowa Grassfed  Livestock Producer Group, the Leopold Center, Iowa NRCS, Practical Farmers of Iowa, The Pasture Project, and the Turkey River Watershed to host the event.  The field day compliments projects at both Northeast Iowa RC&D and the Allamakee SWCD to promote more pasture and hay in the crop rotation.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. at the Marquette Community Center with presentations and lunch. The afternoon will continue at 1:30 pm at Greg Koether’s Ranch for a pasture walk.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Allamakee County will offer a networking program that empowers women in agriculture to become better business partners and owners.
Annie’s Project, a six-week course designed especially to help farm women develop their management and decision-making skills, is being offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County. Online registration is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/womeninag or at the Allamakee County Extension office.
Classes will be held at Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank Community Room Thursdays from 9 a.m.-12 Noon beginning March 17 and continuing each Thursday through April 21. A light lunch will be provided from noon to 12:30 p.m. within the cost of the program.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be February 11 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County FSA Office conference room.

Reminder
February 15, 2016 - Office closed for Presidents Day
February 26, 2016 - Deadline for General CRP program

New General CRP Sign-Up
December 1, 2015 through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP sign-up. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP Sign-Up 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring September 30, 2016 may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP Sign-Up 49 will become effective October 1, 2016.
NOTE: Please do not wait until the February 26, 2016 deadline, due to determining eligibility per crop history and other steps in the CRP sign-up process.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently highlighted the Iowa Water Quality Initiative 2016 Legislative Report during his presentation to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee.
“We continue to see engagement and investment in water quality efforts and it is exciting to see the progress that is being made. Thanks to the support we have received from the Governor and Legislature the Iowa Water Quality Initiative continues to expand and work with additional farmers. This report provides an update on the initiative to legislators and outlines our request for the next fiscal year,” Northey said.

Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN) is currently accepting applications for its 2016 female farmer mentoring program, Harvesting Our Potential. This is a program that helps train women to become farmers by giving them the opportunity to work on farms with women who are already successful farmers.
Mentees work directly with a farmer instructor to gain hands-on experience. Most mentorships will last around 10 weeks and take place any time within the growing season, whenever it works best for mentor and mentee.
Those interested in being a part of the 2016 program as either a mentor or a mentee may fill out an application form found under the News link on the WFAN webste, www.wfan.org. The program has the ability to support 10 pairs of farmers. The application deadline has been extended to February 19.

The 120th annual meeting of Calhoun Coop Creamery, Lansing was held at the Vet’s Club in Waukon Tuesday, January 26. A noon meal was served to all by BE Catered of Waukon.
President Dave Bahr called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m. At the conclusion of the business meeting quality awards were handed out to the following producers:
First place low bacteria award went to Mike and Kris Banse of Eitzen, MN. There was a tie for second place going to Dave and Rhonda Bahr of Waukon and Greg and Jenny Conway of Lansing. There were 36 other producers receiving outstanding quality awards.
First place low somatic cell award went to Jerry Egan of Harpers Ferry. There were 20 other producers receiving outstanding somatic cell awards with averages under 175,000 for the year.

Submitted by Sara Berges
Allamakee SWCD Project Coordinator