News Center newsletter

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

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 28: CRP General Signup
March 15: 2019 ARCPLC Election
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
September 30: PLC Yield Update

January 2020 CCC and FSFL Interest Rates
New rates were issued for the month of January and are as follows:
• 1.625% for 3 years
• 1.625% for 5 years
• 1.750% for 7 years
• 1.875% for 10 years
• 1.875% for 12 years
• 2.000% for 15 years

Crop year commodity loan rate for January is 2.50%

USDA Safety Net Program Enrollment Opens for 2019 and 2020
Producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs – two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs – for the 2019 and 2020 crop year.

Topics include cereal rye for weed control, managing pests in organic vegetables, farm trusts and more

Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2020 winter webinar series, referred to as “farminars,” will start on Tuesday, Jan. 7, with a presentation on an incubator farm model in Minnesota.

The event is one of 11 farminars offered through March 17 on issues relevant to beginning and experienced row crop, livestock and horticulture farmers, as well as landowners and those interested in farm transfer issues.

All farminars run weekly on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. CST and are free for anyone with an internet connection to participate. Each presentation focuses on a unique production or business management topic, and is led by a farmer or subject-matter expert. Attendees are able to ask questions in real-time using a chatbox while they listen and watch a slideshow. Each farminar is recorded and archived at practicalfarmers.org for later viewing.

Financial Statement tools can help farmers easily track their numbers

As farmers enter 2020, now is an ideal time to revisit financial statements.

In the December edition of Ag Decision Maker, updated files are available to help farmers with their net worth statement, farm income statement and financial performance measures.

William Edwards, professor emeritus in economics at Iowa State University, said most farmers use calendar-year accounting, so the end of the year is prime time for wrapping up farm financial numbers.

He said meetings with lenders usually happen in January and February, and that completing financial statements now will give farmers a head start on the process.

“One of the things that ag lenders always ask for is updated financial statements. The earlier we sit down and pull that information together the more accurate it’s going to be,” Edwards said.

Submitted by Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke

Having completed my first year as Allamakee County Attorney, I felt an update to the county on the current state of this office should be an annual part of my duties as an elected official.  The three most often asked questions I am presented with are:  Who are you?  What do you do?  Is marijuana in Iowa legal or not?

Lloyd Robert Erickson, 87, of New Albin died Monday, January 6, 2020 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held at the New Albin Townhouse located at 136 Elm Street in New Albin January 18 with the visitation from 10-11 a.m., eulogy and post-funeral reception from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lloyd Robert was born February 23, 1932 to Clifford and Alvina (Schirler) Erickson in Caledonia, MN. Lloyd joined and proudly served in the United States Army.

Lloyd was united in marriage with Adeline Fink, and she died in 1968. Lloyd was then united in marriage with Diane Kasten April 19, 1970.

He worked for many years as a Union Carpenter. Lloyd belonged to Carpenters Local 1143 of La Crosse, WI for 40 years, and was a member of Caledonia American Legion for 35 years. He enjoyed fishing, cutting wood with his boys, making homemade sauerkraut, pickled fish, lefse and bread, woodworking and gardening.

To the Editor:

What happens when it hurts too much to live? Can it really be too painful to live one more moment with emptiness, depression, and despair? Yes, for some people suicide seems like the only way out.

Not every person who contemplates killing themselves is truly interested in ending their time on earth. For many, suicidal thoughts are about escape - musing about the idea of leaving the bonds that bind them to other people, responsibilities to burdens, and the despair of what they can’t change. If they could just escape it, maybe they still could go on somehow. Not right now, but after a while. They just need to get away from it.

Everett “Andy” J. Anderson, 81, of Plymouth, formerly of Waukon, died Friday, January 3, 2020 at MercyOne Medical Center in Mason City. Funeral services were held Thursday, January 9 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon with Rev. Ronald Pederson officiating. Burial with military honors was at West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery, rural Waukon.

Everett “Andy” Judeen Anderson was born December 8, 1938 at home in rural Waterville, the son of Leonard M. and Emily I. (Bakkum) Anderson. He was baptized and confirmed at West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church in rural Waukon and in 1956 Andy graduated from Waterville High School. He helped his parents on the farm before joining the U.S. Army in 1961, serving in Germany.

James Leo Strub, 89, of Lansing died Thursday, January 2, 2020 at Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, WI. A graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. January 12, 2020 at Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing with Rev. John Moser as the officiant.

A celebration of life will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Shep’s Riverside Bar and Grill, 10 South Front Street, Lansing.

James was born June 29, 1930 to Leo and Catherine (Corrigan) Strub in rural Lansing. He attended rural country school.

James was united in marriage with Juanita Jack in June of 1949 at the parishioner’s house Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. Six children were born to this union. They later divorced. In 1991 married Viola Manning, and she passed away in 2013. James was a farmer at heart all of his life, enjoying time visiting and playing cards with friends and family.

Vincent Theodore Haas, 93, of Waukon, died Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 10, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating.  Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service. Memorials may be made in remembrance of Vince to St. Patrick’s Parish Renovation Fund or Good Samaritan Center.

Margaret “Maggie” A. Kleinschmidt, 81, of Harpers Ferry, died Thursday, January 2, 2020, at her home. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 11, at 1 p.m. at the Harpers Ferry Community Center with Fr. John Moser officiating. A lunch will follow immediately after the services at the community center, where there will be a time to greet the family. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, is handling arrangements.