News Center newsletter

Deadlines/Dates
July 30: CRP/Kernza Field Day 
August 1: Deadline to submit a COC Nomination  
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
September 30: Deadline for ARCPLC Revisions

Eligibility for Nominations for the 2025 County Committee Elections 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs.

Committees are comprised of locally elected agricultural producers responsible for the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties. Committee members are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. If elected, members become part of a local decision-making and farm program delivery process.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team’s monthly webinar series continues Tuesday, July 22, from noon to 1 p.m. This program will be presented by several Iowa State Veterinary College personnel: Dr. Matt Brewer, Dr. Grant Dewell, Dr. Chelsea Hamilton and Dr. Phillip Jardon.
Theileriosis, which is caused by Theileria orientalis Ikeda and spread via Asian Longhorned Ticks (ALHT), has been found in beef herds in southeast Iowa. While this disease is primarily of concern to beef producers, dairy animals on pasture may also be affected.

To the Editor:

I grew up in Lansing and will always consider myself an Iowan. I went to medical school at the University of Iowa and have worked in public health for the last 35 years, most recently in the Tuberculosis Program at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  Eight days after the inauguration of President Trump I was terminated along with thousands of other employees by Elon Musk in what was described as an effort to root out waste, fraud and abuse. That is simply not the truth.

After years of misinformation and distortions of the true role and benefit of foreign assistance and its importance to our standing in the world and to our national security, USAID was the first agency to be completely (and illegally) dismantled. By July 1, only a few hundred of 10,000 staff worldwide remain as it has been shrunk and absorbed into the Department of State, making it impossible to deliver its prior lifesaving work in those areas of greatest need.

To the Editor:

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski refused to vote for President Trump’s big ugly bill until she received special changes to it that benefited her constituents, insulating Alaska from some of the bill’s harshest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance. Afterwards, she said, “it is not good enough for the rest of our nation and we all know it.”

In contrast, U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst meekly voted for it. That’s all the voters need to know about Grassley and Ernst.

Thomas Hill 
Lansing/Cedar Falls

Shawn M. Darling, 45, of New Albin died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 2, from 3-7 p.m. at the New Albin Community Center in New Albin. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home, Lansing is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
 

Wallace Garhard Pladsen of Waukon, born July 9, 1951, passed away July 4, 2025. Visitation will be held Friday, July 18 from 1-3 p.m. at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, rural Waterville, with services to follow.
 

Gary L. Leiran, 80, of Waukon, formerly of Frankville and formerly of Decorah, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon.

Gary Lee Leiran was born June 23, 1945, in Waukon to Edwin T. and June (Landro) Leiran and graduated from Waukon High School. Growing up, Gary was a pin setter at the Waukon Bowling Alley. He helped his dad at the family-owned gas station as well as helped haul milk on his dad’s route.

Sandra L. Baures, 65, of Onalaska, WI died peacefully at her home Thursday, July 10, 2025. Per Sandra’s wishes, private services will be held at a later date. An online guestbook can be found at www.fossumfuneralhome.com.

She was born August 8, 1959 in Dodgeville, WI to Norman and Shirley (Allbee) Reger. Sandra was employed as a screen printer at DuraTech Industries in La Crosse, WI until her retirement in 2024. Per Sandra’s wishes, private services will be held at a later date. An online guestbook can be found at www.fossumfuneralhome.com.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Joe Baures of Onalaska; a son, Dr. Tim Baures of Boise, ID; one grandson; and two brothers, Denny Reger of Monona and Dan Reger of Prairie du Chien, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Nick and Brian; and a brother, Rick Reger.
 

Raymond “Ray” C. Busness, 81, of Marion, formerly of Waterville, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, July 15 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marion. Inurnment will be held at a later date at East Paint Creek Cemetery in Waterville.

Ray was born March 6, 1944, in Waukon, the son of Holger and Julia (Sanderson) Busness. He was a 1962 graduate of Waukon High School and went on to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve.

December 9, 1967, Ray was united in marriage to Karen Kay Phelps in Strawberry Point. He worked as a Forecast Analyst at Rockwell Collins for 46 years, until his retirement in 2008. After retirement, he also worked for Dental Prosthetic Services in Cedar Rapids for 15-plus years. Karen and Ray were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Ray will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Shirley Larkin, 89, of Waukon died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 12 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Shirley Jean Larkin was born December 7, 1935, in Waukon, the daughter of Merrill Henry and Leone Eunice (Bacon) Gruber. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, attended rural Eells Country School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1954.

February 27, 1960, she married Cyril Larkin at St. Mary’s Hanover in rural Waukon. Shirley and Cyril farmed in Union Prairie Township in rural Waukon, where they raised beef cattle, hogs, sheep and crops. She loved working on the farm, especially driving tractor, doing the field work, and caring for the animals.