Author: Theresa Rose

Monday January 16th – Friday January 20th. Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities will be doing some street repairs on the 100th block of S. Walnut from E. Monroe to Washington.

The Iowa State Patrol has released the final report on the two vehicle crash that occurred Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of 260th Street and Highway 34 west of New London. Dick Richards of Mount Pleasant was operating a vehicle and was at the cross over yield intersection on 34. He continued thru the intersection where his vehicle struck the driver’s side of a van driven by Ed Longanecker, also of Mount Pleasant. Longanecker was driving west on Hwy 34. Richards said he did not see the van.  The collision caused the van to spin and come to rest on the north shoulder of Hwy 34 in the west bound lanes.  No injuries were reported.  Richards was cited for failure to obey a yield sign.

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds  announced a total of $4 million in grant awards to assist the communities of Burlington, Grinnell, Keokuk, Mason City and Washington in the rehabilitation of a total of 131 owner-occupied and rental homes through the Home Rehabilitation Block Grant Pilot Program.

“I’ve been steadfast in my commitment to advancing housing opportunities to ensure that every Iowan can live near their work,” said Gov. Reynolds.  “To meet that goal, we must not only build new housing but we also must preserve our existing housing stock. Today’s investments will give new life to more than 130 aging homes so that Iowa families can be proud to call them home for many years to come.”

“The City of Mason City anticipates preserving a total of nearly 50 owner-occupied and rental homes through this investment,” said Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel. “One of our top goals for 2023 is neighborhood flourishing and this award will give that goal a huge boost. I commend Gov. Reynolds for her transformational investment in housing that supports our efforts to make our communities the choice for Iowans to live, work and thrive.”

The pilot program had $4 million in eligible funds available and received applications totaling nearly $4.5 million. Applications were scored on a competitive basis and included criteria such as housing need, impact, community readiness, public/private partnerships and additional funds leveraged. The projects awarded funding are leveraging an additional $3.3 million in additional funding.

Grant Award Recipients:

Award details, including project descriptions are available here.

The Home Rehabilitation Block Grant Pilot Program was created as a part of Gov. Reynolds’ $100 million investment to increase the supply of housing options and protect and expand housing opportunities for Iowans to live in or near the communities where they work. The funds are made available through Federal American Rescue Act State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced that the November 10 order cancelling all live bird exhibitions at fairs and other gatherings of birds due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been lifted. The order also prohibited live birds from being sold or transferred at livestock auction markets, swap meets, and exotic sales.

It has been 30 days since the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed a new infection of HPAI in domestic poultry in Iowa. The last confirmed case of HPAI in Iowa was announced on December 12.

“Commercial poultry producers and those with backyard birds should continue to be vigilant with their biosecurity because this destructive disease still poses a serious ongoing risk,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “We are continually monitoring highly pathogenic avian influenza case counts worldwide and we remain ready to quickly respond should spring migration bring us another enhanced level of threat.”

Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present a public health concern. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products. An internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses.

About HPAI

HPAI is highly contagious viral disease affecting bird populations. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. The virus can spread through droppings or the nasal discharge of an infected bird, which can contaminate dust and soil.

Signs of HPAI may include:

• Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
• Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
• Decrease in egg production
• Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
• Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
• Stumbling and/or falling down
• Diarrhea

For additional information on HPAI, please visit the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today extended the deadline to apply for the Crop Insurance Discount Program for cover crops to Jan. 27. Farmers who planted fall cover crops in 2022 can apply to receive $5 per acre discount on their 2023 crop insurance premiums.

“Cover crops offer many agronomic benefits to farmers and landowners while also helping to improve water quality,” said Secretary Naig. “At a time when crop input costs continue to rise, this innovative program will save farmers money while also providing improved water quality for Iowans and those downstream.”

In its sixth year, the program has helped increase cover crop acreage across the state and has been replicated in other Midwest states. Iowa has approximately three million acres of cover crops, a conservation practice that improves soil structure, enhances permeability and holds phosphorus and nitrogen in place.

Farmers and landowners may signup online before Jan. 27 at apply.cleanwateriowa.org.

Program Details

The Crop Insurance Discount Program is jointly administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA). Iowa’s program has served as a model and has been replicated by the USDA as well as Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

To qualify for the Crop Insurance Discount Program, the cover crop acres cannot be enrolled in other state or federal cost share programs. Farmers should visit the local USDA service center to learn about other cost share funding available to support the implementation of conservation practices. Some insurance policies, such as Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements, may be excluded. Participants must follow all existing farming practices required by their respective policy and work with their insurance agencies to maintain eligibility.

FAIRFIELD — The Kenny Norton Southeast Iowa Farm Show returns to Fairfield Arts &
Convention Center Saturday, March 4th from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission to the Farm Show is free
and open to the public.
Now in its eighth year, the show has become one of Iowa’s top ag expos, featuring the latest in
machinery, seed technology, grain handling, and more. Sponsors and exhibitors in
agri-businesses throughout Southeast Iowa will be showcasing their latest technology and
making connections with the community. Lunch will be available for purchase from 11 am to 2
pm, served up by the Jefferson County Pork Producers, and there will be attractions for children
and families throughout the day.
“Southeast Iowa Farm Show is one of the biggest and most important events we organize here,”
says Fairfield Arts & Convention Director Lindsay Bauer. “Fairfield’s culture is rooted in
agriculture and for us to be able to support growth in that industry is a big deal.”
The Farm Show will be followed by a performance by country music icon Billy Dean at 7:30 pm
that evening. Tickets to the Billy Dean concert are $18-$39 and are available to purchase at
fairfieldacc.com or by calling the Box Office at (641) 472-2787.
The Southeast Iowa Farm Show is supported by sponsorship by many area business leaders.
Current sponsors for 2023 include Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Pilot Grove Savings Bank,
BASF Ag Solutions, Heartland Co-op, Libertyville Savings Bank, Fairfield Precast Concrete, and
Hammes Vermeer LLC.
Businesses interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at this year’s expo are encouraged to contact
info@fairfieldacc.com for more information.