Amy Powell started working to help 4-H’ers throughout Iowa understand the basics of animal care when she came to Iowa State University in 2014. To find out how those youth acquire information about animal care Powell set up focus groups with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach professionals, volunteers and parents in five Iowa counties. She found that there were no guidelines in place for acquiring and disseminating information about animal care.
Powell, a 4-H animal science program specialist in Iowa State University’s animal science department, coordinates curriculum and activities for more than 16,000 youth enrolled in Iowa’s 4-H animal science projects, FFA and ag-focused classrooms. To make animal care information available Powell decided to create an interactive video series called “Animal University”. To help fund the project the Iowa Pork Producers Association gave $325,000 and the Iowa Beef Industry Council gave $100,000.
A new technology for cleansing nutrients from water leaving Iowa’s tile-drained fields began with two Iowa State University researchers brainstorming after a professional meeting. Their “back of the napkin” discussion in 2010 led to development of saturated riparian buffers, a new conservation practice that is rapidly gaining interest in Iowa and far beyond.
The challenge they were addressing - how to make traditional riparian conservation buffers more effective at reducing nutrient pollution - has since become a major research focus for Tom Isenhart, professor of natural resources ecology and management, and Dan Jaynes, a soil scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment on campus and affiliate professor of agronomy.
Congratulations to the one supervisor who recognizes that remote camping will always be remote camping. It was that way when the tents were there, and no amount of pressure should ever try to normalize an area that is not normal. Traffic count can be faked. Where does the traffic go at the end of a one-mile ribbon? Does it end at the end of the rainbow, or at the end of the other one-mile strip - the field of dreams?
When getting my hair cut recently, my beautician commented that she noticed a couple of black hairs - that I must be getting ready for my next life. November 21, when I picked up my mail, I said, “Oh, my first hate mail!” It turned out it was a thank you note.
It did my heart good to see Matt Brandt call out the editor for printing what he thought was hate speech. I thought now that the elections are over, some of the political narrative could well be toned down.
Hopefully you visited a small business on this year’s ninth annual Small Business Saturday November 24. If you did, your efforts and those of many others made a big impact.
This year’s total reported spending of those who said they shopped at independent retailers and restaurants reached a record high of $17.8 billion, according to the 2018 Small Business Consumer Insights Survey from American Express and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB.) That makes it clear that Small Business Saturday and your support of it makes a big difference in sales that help small businesses prosper and grow. Since 2010, the study reports estimated sales at $103 billion.
Snow and ice buildup on natural gas meters can create a safety hazard and even cut off the flow of natural gas to heating equipment and other appliances. To avoid trouble, one can gently remove snow and ice from on and around the meter with their hands or a broom. Gas meters and regulators are durable and designed with the weather in mind, but a coating of ice or snow could cause a loss of service and become a critical safety issue. If at all possible, remove the snow before it has a chance to freeze.
The recent passing of George H.W. Bush prompted Waukon resident Joanne Liddiard to share this photo (at left) from when her sister-in-law, Waukon native Suzanne Hart O’Regan, met then Vice President Bush when he was campaigning for the U.S. presidency in 1986 in Neenah, WI. The host of one of Bush’s campaign stops had asked O’Regan to present Bush with a copy of her book “Family Letters: A personal selection from Theda Clark’s life”, which was written by O’Regan and featured the life of Theda Clark Peters, daughter of Kimberly-Clark Corporation co-founder Charles B. Clark who helped fund the building of a hospital in Neenah, WI with money designated for a community project in her will after she died from complications three days after giving birth when no hospital was available to her.
The Hartig Drug Company wishes to announce the retirement of Neal Daley, PharmD and congratulate him on 38 years of dedication, service and professionalism. “On behalf of Hartig Drug, I want to thank and congratulate Neal for the many years of quality service he has provided for Hartig Drug and the entire Waukon-area community. We wish him nothing but the best in his well-deserved retirement.” said Aaron Vandermillen, Director of Pharmacy.
Daley grew up in Charles City. After graduating from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1980, he worked in a pharmacy in Northwood before settling in Waukon taking a job at Regan’s Pharmacy in Waukon in 1984. Daley continued to serve as pharmacist-in-charge as Hartig Drug acquired Regan’s Pharmacy in October of 2000.
Join the park staff and the newly formed organization Friends of Yellow River State Forest on a free, guided hike New Year’s Day, January 1, 2019. Hikers can meet at 9:30 a.m. at the cabin in the park for a two-mile moderate hike led by park staff. The hike will begin at 10 a.m. and will travel through hardwood and coniferous stands of timber.
“We hope people will join us for a couple hours and explore the Driftless area,” says Park Ranger Rylan Retallick. “Hot chocolate, coffee and a warm fire inside the cabin are free.” Those attending are encouraged to bring adequate clothing and good footwear for traction to best enjoy the hike.
Those who have any questions may call the park office at 563-586-2254. In the case of inclement weather, cancellation information will be made available on the Friends online presence or on a message at that phone number.
Five Allamakee County 4-H’ers traveled to Iowa’s Dairy Center in Calmar December 6 to visit with “Frosty,” a life-size calving simulator from the Iowa State University (ISU) Veterinary School clinical skills lab with a fully articulated 70-pound calf and working udder. This hands-on opportunity taught youth about the process of calving and how to manage cows during the calving season. ISU Veterinarians were available to teach about the process of calving, calving challenges and provided the opportunity to practice delivering calves from “Frosty” (examples of all of those learning activities pictured in the surrounding photos). For more information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact the Allamakee County Extension Office at 563-568-6345. Submitted photos.
The Northeast Iowa Community College Board of Trustees has selected Dubuque firm Straka Johnson Architects, P.C. to lead design, construction and renovations for projects funded by the passage of a $39 million bond levy in September. The Board of Trustees selected the architectural firm at its meeting December 17 based on the recommendations of the College, a nine-member search committee and the Request for Proposals (RFPs) formally submitted to NICC for consideration.
Straka Johnson Architects serves clients in the Dubuque tri-state area, and the firm has worked on a wide range of project types including religious institutions, educational facilities, health care facilities, industrial facilities, recreational facilities, commercial institutions, transportation terminals and facilities, restaurants, multi-family residential and single family residential projects.
