News Center newsletter

by Jeremy Leitz, Executive Director Allamakee County (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• December 15: Report acreages intended to be used for forage and pasture in 2018
• December 15: Sign up for, or opt out of, the 2018 Margin Protection Program

County Committee Election
Producers in Ludlow, Jefferson, Post, Franklin, Linton, and Fairview Townships should have received their county committee voting ballots last week. The last day to return completed ballots to the FSA office is December 4. If you’re an eligible producer in one of these townships, please be on the lookout for your ballot. Committee members are a critical component of FSA operations.

Allamakee County 4-H’ers traveled to Iowa State University in Ames November 6 for the Grow by FarmHer conference. Grow is a series of events that inspire and empower young women in agriculture to take an active role in the agriculture industry. A total of 370 young women ages 16-22 with an interest in agriculture had the opportunity to participate in inspirational and informational experiences as a group as well as meaningful one-on-one connections with women ag leaders. At Grow by FarmHer, young women were offered a real-life look at what they need to do to be successful ag leaders, while gaining the encouragement and making the connections that are pivotal to helping them GROW in agriculture. Pictured above at the Grow by FarmHer event are, left to right, Allamakee County 4-H alumna Erika Johnson, who is currently a student at Iowa State University; and Allamakee County 4-H'ers Diana Davison, Madelyn Moser, Soraya Reyes, Shara Cota and Faith Palmer.

by Sara Berges,
Allamakee SWCD
 
We have heard producers say that you’ll have a huge yield drag if you plant corn following a rye cover crop.  Five years ago, this was commonly presented as a potential issue with cereal rye.  However, years of research has shown how to minimize this risk. Most producers (and researchers) have found in recent years that there is little to no yield drag with proper management.

 Practical Farmers of Iowa takes their farmer-to-farmer education format online with their farminar series each Tuesday night through the end of the year. The popular webinar series offers practical knowledge for row crop, livestock and fruit and vegetable farmers and is free for anyone with an internet connection to participate.

Margaret Lorraine Cummings Kolsrud, 89, of Waukon died Monday, November 13, 2017 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 18 at East Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church, with Rev. Ronald Pederson officiating. Burial was at East Paint Creek Synod Cemetery, both in rural Waterville.

Margaret Lorraine Knudtson Cummings Kolsrud was born July 23, 1928 in rural Waterville, the daughter of Herbert Carl and Luella Selma Mildred (Schmieden) Knudtson. She was baptized and confirmed at East Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church, where she remained a lifelong member, and she graduated from Waterville High School.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that the University of Iowa football team wore vastly different uniforms for the game against highly ranked Ohio State, and the Iowa team looked like an entirely different team than the one we had watched earlier in the year.

The science fiction like black uniforms may not have been the reason for the different play of the team, but just to be safe, I think they should wear them again for their last home game against Purdue. They can’t do so against teams on away fields.

It couldn’t hurt to bring them out again. The lopsided victory over Ohio State made the team bowl eligible, but another win or two in the three remaining games would mean a better bowl and possibly more income for the athletic department.

More about that later.

Can a change of uniform have a difference?

I think there is something mental to be noted.

I have worn a number of different military uniforms.

To the Editor:

I met Jeannie Hegeman when I was a young campaign staffer wandering the roads of Waukon. Far from my home in southern California, I was assigned to work in Allamakee County for then-Senator Barack Obama’s underdog campaign in the Iowa Caucus.

With Hillary Clinton expected to dominate the upcoming election, my boss said we had no chance of winning Allamakee and that I should focus instead on simply holding the line. Our campaign diverted many of its valuable resources to other counties where our prospects were stronger. As a result, I spent much of my time commuting alone from our nearest office in Clayton County, spending long hours driving and calling voters from the car.

To the Editor:

Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc., one of the first nonprofit organizations to establish an endowment within the Allamakee County Community Foundation, received its first endowment gift of $3,300 in 2008.

Since then, donors have helped grow the fund to promote area education. The nonprofit receives an annual payout of five percent of the average fund balance to help sustain its important mission. These annual payouts will continue and be a source of support it can rely on forever.

Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc. is not alone. In Allamakee County, dedicated forward-focused board members have established permanent funds which preserve area history, education and health. This year, these funds paid out more than $17,000 to provide long-term support for local organizations.

To the Editor:

Our home is under yet another major environmental threat. A huge cattle feedlot operation is being enlarged just east of Monona adjacent to U.S. Highway 18.

This factory farm will be constructed on 48 acres, will house 10,000 head of cattle at one time - 20,000 per year, will house a lagoon of 39 million gallons of manure, will have two 620-foot deep wells pumping 22 million gallons of water out of our precious aquifer, annually.

This massive feedlot will be built in the watershed of our beautiful cold water trout stream of Bloody Run. The air pollution could be unfathomable. From the history of these size manure lagoons, it’s not if it will spill, but when it will spill. There are many sinkholes in this watershed, which are direct conduits to our aquifer.

Waltz Energy Limited Liability Company of West Des Moines is a big ag-industry corporate player who has our politicians and government bureaucrats in their back pocket.

To the Editor:

I am concerned about Representative Rod Blum and the Republican/Trump tax plan. Rep. Blum supports the tax plan, stating it will “lower taxes for hardworking American families.” Whom is he talking about?

While the tax plan claims to benefit the middle class, the truth is it will provide massive cuts to wealthy individuals and corporations. The top 20% of the U.S. taxpayers will receive 86% of all tax cuts.

How many in Allamakee County are earning more than $149,400 in 2017? In addition, 12.5% of Iowans will get a tax increase.

And what about “everyman” Rod Blum? He is one of the 50 wealthiest congressmen, worth 15.4 million. He will benefit the most!

Sincerely,
Ann Hart
Waukon