Iowans have always valued helping and supporting our neighbors. We step up when a farmer is in the hospital and needs crops planted or harvested, or when our neighbor is out of town and needs someone to care for their pets or lawn, or when our community is planting trees to improve the park and curbsides.
Members of the Democratic Party support and vote for this value. During the pandemic our national Democratic legislators passed the American Rescue Package putting $1400 in everyday American accounts, making sure there is food available for those struggling to provide for their families, reducing child poverty and financially supporting small businesses.
Our two Republican senators, Grassley and Ernst, and our Republican legislator, Hinson, voted no on this bill, failing to support this life-saving relief for everyday Iowans.
In response to letter-writer Lowell L. Engle’s criticism of the Paris climate agreement, I want to draw attention to a remarkable document on climate change and national security.
“A Climate Security Plan for America: A Presidential Plan for Combating the Security Risks of Climate Change” is endorsed by more than 20 admirals and generals, including Rear Admiral David Titley, former oceanographer and navigator of the Navy, and General Gordon Sullivan, former chief of staff of the Army. This 2019 report states:
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 15: COC Election Ballots Mailed to Producers in LAA 3
July 15: Crop Certification
Most farmers in Iowa are seeing a significant increase in what they pay for land rents this year, according to a recent survey conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
According to the “Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2021 Survey,” which is conducted annually and available in the May Ag Decision Maker, rates have increased an average of 4.5%, an increase of about $10 per acre, for a total per-acre rent of $232.
Land considered to be “high quality” saw an average of a 3.9% increase, up from $257 per acre in 2020 to $267 in 2021. “Medium quality” land saw a 4.5 percent increase, from $223 per acre in 2020 to $233 in 2021, and “low quality” land is up 4.8%, from $188 per acre in 2020 to $197 in 2021.
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has opened online registration at https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/News/Carbon-Credit-Markets-What-Farmers-N... for its upcoming virtual roundtable diving into key considerations for farmers seeking to adopt climate-friendly carbon sequestration and other practices with the hope of increasing their on-farm income.
IFBF’s “Carbon Credit Markets: What Farmers Need to Know” virtual roundtable will help answer questions and provide valuable insight as farmers seek to reduce their carbon footprint and navigate the ever-changing agriculture environment as private-sector companies present new opportunities and federal programs are developed with that focus.
The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) are holding a public hearing and requesting public input for a proposed replacement of the Iowa 9/Wisconsin 82 (Black Hawk) bridge in Lansing over the Mississippi River.
In order to accommodate the new bridge being planned, approximately 5.9 acres of easement and fee title is needed from the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which is owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Iowa Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) intends to make a de minimis impact finding in accordance with 23 CFR 774 as the project is not expected to adversely affect the activities, features and attributes of the refuge. The Iowa DOT would like to gather public feedback on the environmental documentation, preferred alternative and potential impacts related to the planned improvements.
Retired Allamakee Community School District music instructor Frank Knoll took part in the “Taps Across America” nationwide remembrance event Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 by playing Taps at the Allamakee County Freedom Rock in the Waukon City Park at the designated time of 3 p.m. This National Moment of Remembrance is an annual event that asks Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, to pause for a duration of one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States. This project calls on musicians across the country to sound Taps at 3 p.m. from an appropriate location.
Festival events include prayer service at St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon with guest speaker Daniel Baldwin
by Julie Berg-Raymond
Sacred Noise Society, Inc., founded by Katie O’Regan of Waukon, has announced plans for the Spring Grove-Caledonia Film Festival scheduled for July 23-25, including an event in the Waukon area.
Featuring two plays, 42 movies, a parade and an award ceremony, the festival welcomes this year’s special guest of honor Daniel Baldwin, last year’s guest of honor Ed Asner and (via Zoom) Alec Baldwin – along with several other filmmakers who will be participating in live talk-backs after their films’ screenings.
Newly appointed Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill (center of photo) raises her right hand while placing her left hand on a Bible held by her husband, Cory (far right), as she is sworn into office by retired Iowa Judicial District 1A District Court Judge John Bauercamper (far left) Tuesday, June 1. O’Neill was sworn into the position after being appointed to the office by the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors earlier that morning, replacing retiring Allamakee County Treasurer Lori Hesse (standing between the O’Neills), who has served as County Treasurer for the past 26 years and is retiring due to health considerations. Having worked in the Allamakee County Treasurer’s Office for the past 17 years and serving as First Deputy Treasurer, O’Neill will now complete Hesse’s current term in office, which expires at the end of year 2022 and will be up for election in November of 2022.
The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board has scheduled its 2021 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet for Saturday, June 12 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The meal will be served from 7-8:30 p.m. and the awards program starts at 8 p.m. Production and other awards are presented that evening and the Allamakee County Dairy Princess will be crowned.
The Allamakee County Dairy Days Parade is being held Friday, June 18 in Postville in conjunction with the community’s Hometown Celebration Parade and in honor of the 100th year of the Big Four Fair. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. and will run from Lull’s Park to the Big Four Fairgrounds. For entry and other parade information, contact Postville City Hall at 563-864-7454.
