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NRCS Announces 3 New Iowa RCCP Projects, April 8 Application Signup
DES MOINES, IA, March 8, 2022 — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing three new project areas in which Iowa farmers can apply for conservation assistance through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
Through RCPP, NRCS co-invests with partners to implement projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to conservation challenges and provide measurable improvements and outcomes tied to resource concerns.
NRCS accepts program applications on a continuous basis but sets dates to batch and rank applications as funding allows. Interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by April 8, 2022, to be considered for fiscal year 2022 RCPP funding.
Three New RCPP Projects
- Led by the City of Cedar Rapids, the Cedar River Source Water Partnership is a collaboration among communities and agricultural partners to improve water quality, mitigate the risk of flooding, and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Farmers in the Cedar River Watershed are eligible to apply.
- In the Floyd River Water Quality Partnership, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) will address water quality by helping farmers plant cover crops and implement nutrient management practices. Coordinated on-farm partnerships with input suppliers, farmers, and the livestock industry will deliver grazing and edge-of-field practice demonstrations. Farmers in the Floyd River Watershed are eligible to apply.
- The SE Iowa Watershed Partnership, composed of 20 partner organizations, will accelerate adoption of nutrient management and mitigation practices and systems in 15 southeast Iowa counties.
Sign-up for Existing RCPP Projects
In September, NRCS announced three new 2021 RCPP projects and one renewed project with available funding. Farmers in these RCPP project areas still have time to apply for conservation funding:
- Through the North Raccoon Partnership for Soil and Water Outcomes Project, the Iowa Soybean Association, in collaboration with ag retailers, Federal and State agencies, and the City of Des Moines, is taking a watershed approach to improving soil health and water quality in a high-profile watershed located from northwest to central Iowa. Targeted practices include no-till, cover crops, denitrifying bioreactors, saturated buffers, and wetland restoration.
- Through the Turkey River Watershed Project, IDALS is delivering a comprehensive outreach, planning, and implementation approach to spur the long-term adoption of management and structural practices to reduce water quality degradation in the Turkey River Watershed. Project partners estimate that producer efforts will reduce almost 400,000 pounds of nitrogen and over 11,000 pounds of nitrogen out of local waterways.
- The Iowa Systems Approach to Conservation Drainage project brings together a diverse partnership, including PepsiCo, Heartland Co-op, the Nature Conservancy and Nutrien Ag Solutions, to demonstrate a systems approach to improved farm profitability and sustainability on some of the most intensely farmed land in Iowa. The project aims to help producers plant nearly 150,000 acres of cover crops and install 50 denitrifying bioreactors and saturated wetlands, among other water quality, flood control and source water protection practices.
- The Midwest Agriculture Water Quality Partnership Project is a renewal project co-led by IDALS and the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA). It assembles 47 partners to build an innovative public-private collaboration to reduce nutrient loss and improve water quality, soil health, and habitat for at-risk species. The project targets several high-priority watersheds throughout Iowa.
NRCS is also announcing an April 8, 2022, application batching date for four existing 2014 Farm Bill RCPP projects funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Projects include:
- Midwest Agriculture Water Quality Partnership
- Fox River Water Quality Project
- Innovative Conservation Agriculture
- Driftless Area Habitat for the Wild & Rare Phase 2
For project fact sheets and maps to determinate eligibility, visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ia/programs/farmbill/rcpp/.
For details such as priority conservation practices and financial assistance, farmers should contact their local NRCS office. Additional information about conservation planning and programs to treat natural resource issues is available on the Iowa NRCS website at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov.
Names for the Veterans Memorial
April 1st is the deadline to submit a veteran’s name to be added to the Henry County Veterans Memorial prior to Memorial Day 2022.
The deceased veteran must meet ONE of the following criteria: Have been born in Henry County, entered military service from Henry County, OR have lived in Henry County for at least ten years. Proof of military service documents must accompany the request.
Applications are available at area funeral homes; at the Veterans Hall, 300 W Monroe St, Mt. Pleasant; Veterans Affairs, 106 N Jackson, Mt. Pleasant, or by calling 319-385-4983.
Sports, March 9
Boys’ Prep Basketball: Akey, Burlington Look to Continue Epic Run
After wins over Iowa City West and previously undefeated and top-ranked Pleasant Valley, Caleb Akey’s Burlington Greyhounds will look to continue their postseason frenzy this afternoon, when they battle Ames in a Class 4A Quarterfinal.
Akey, who is in his second season in Burlington after a long, fruitful run with Mount Pleasant, will have his hands full with the Little Cyclones.
Ames is led by terrific all-everything guard Tamin Lipsey, an Iowa State recruit, who is scoring 16 points per game for a balanced Little Cyclones group.
Burlington will rely on their terrific frontcourt tandem of Amarion Davis and Merquiche Lewis.
Davis has excelled in a slashing role in his senior season, scoring a team-high 14.2 points per game, with Lewis adding 13.2 per game.
The key will be the three-ball.
When Burlington is making their triples, they’re hard to beat. As a team they shoot over 31% from long distance compared to just 28% for Ames.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools in the Varsity Bound era.
Today’s game will tip at 12:15 p.m. from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
You can listen on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.
Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have the call.
Boys’ Prep Basketball: IHSAA State Basketball (Day 2)
The second day of the Iowa High School state basketball tournament continued on yesterday at Wells Fargo Arena.
Here’s a full look at the scoreboard.
2A Quarters
Monticello 46, Mid-Prairie 43
Rock Valley 75, Jesup 61
3A Quarters
Dallas Center-Grimes 65, Carroll 45
Winterset 81, Marion 77 F/OT
Central DeWitt 67, Decorah 59
Davenport Assumption 69, Humboldt 65 F/OT
College Baseball: Iowa Wesleyan Splits with Central Baptist
The Iowa Wesleyan baseball team split a pair of games yesterday with Central Baptist College, playing in Little Rock.
The Tigers took game one 6-3, while falling in game two 5-4.
Former Mediapolis prep standout Cauy Massner earned the win for Wesleyan in game one, working four innings, scattering six hits and three runs.
Mount Pleasant alum Corbin Broeker had a hit and two RBI for the Tigers, as well.
The split moved Wesleyan to 5-14 on the year.
The Tigers will take on Williams Baptist University on Thursday in a doubleheader in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.
Game one will begin at noon, with game two to follow.
Men’s College Basketball: Iowa’s Murray, Bohannon Earn All B1G Honors
University of Iowa sophomore forward Keegan Murray, sixth year senior Jordan Bohannon, and redshirt sophomore Patrick McCaffery have earned postseason recognition by the league head coaches and selected media panel, the Big Ten Conference announced on Tuesday.
Murray was a unanimous first team selection, while Bohannon picked up honorable mention honors.
McCaffery was named Iowa’s recipient of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Sportsmanship Award.
Murray is the only player nationally to average 23+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 2+ blocks this season and one of three players from a major conference with those averages over the last decade.
Bohannon has earned postseason conference recognition for a fifth time, earning third team accolades as a junior, honorable mention honors three times, and voted to the All-Freshman Team in 2017.
No. 24 Iowa (22-9, 12-8) will open Big Ten Tournament play on Thursday in the second round versus Northwestern or Nebraska.
Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 1 p.m. (CT) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Tom McDowell
Thomas McDowell, 58, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, March 7, 2022, at his home in Oskaloosa. He was born February 29, 1964, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Ronald McDowell and Patricia Scarff. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School with the class of 1982. He went on to earn his BS in Environmental Studies from Iowa Wesleyan University. On April 29, 1989, he was united in marriage to Sara Van Dell in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Jakob and Kelsie. In 1988, Tom began work at Blue Bird Bus Company in Mt. Pleasant. In 1999, the family moved to Oskaloosa. Tom took a job as the Purchasing Manager at Clow Valve. He has stayed in that position for the past 21 years. Tom was an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt, fish, camp, and garden. He was a devoted family man. He and Sara traveled all over the Midwest to watch their children participate in various activities.
His family includes his wife of over 32 years, Sara McDowell of Oskaloosa; two children, Kelsie McDowell of Des Moines and Jakob and his wife Mary McDowell of Pella; a grandson, Judah McDowell; his mother, Patricia Scarff of Mt. Pleasant; a brother, Tony (Natalie) McDowell of Mt. Pleasant; a sister, Terri McDowell of Ottumwa; a sister in law, Lynn (David) Waterman of Macomb, Illinois; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Ronald and Linda McDowell and his brother in law, Doug Van Dell.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. As was Tom’s wish his body has been cremated. Visitation will begin Friday after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-8 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Women’s Rugby Club at Iowa State.
Wendell Keith Shellabarger
Wendell Keith Shellabarger, age 79, of Pleasant Hill, IA, formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away on March 2, 2022 due to complications from a previous illness.
Wendell grew up in Mount Pleasant Iowa, graduating from Mount Pleasant high school in 1960. He served his country in the Air Force from 1961 to 1965. He retired from Titan Tire (formerly Armstrong Tire) after 35 years of employment.
Wendell demonstrated his commitment to serving through volunteering at the Life Serve Blood Center for 15 years. He was a charter member of the Central Iowa Tractor Club and was editor of the club newsletter for 32 years. Wendell was an avid wood worker and member of the Wood Turners Club. He enjoyed working with students as a judge for the Southeast Polk Tech Expo. He was also a member of the American Legion, Home Lodge No 370 A.F. & A.M. of Pleasant Hill and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Wendell is survived by his wife Charlene of 55 years. Son David, wife Joni and grandchildren Finley and Drew. Daughter Diane, husband Jerry, grandchildren Liz and Becca and great grandchild Adelaide. Siblings, Martha (Darrell) Ridenour and Burt (Doris) Shellabarger. Wendell is preceded in death by his parents Dwight and Marjorie Shellabarger along with his sister Doris Lawson.
Services will be on Friday, March 11, 2022 at Oakwood United Methodist Church, 400 NE 56th Street, Pleasant Hill, IA. Visitation will be at 9:30 am with a service to follow at 10:30 am. There will be a luncheon following the service at the Masonic Lodge in Pleasant Hill – 5201 Maple Dr. Pleasant Hill, IA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Oakwood United Methodist Church.
AJ Boysen
AJ was born to the late Boyd and Margaretha Boysen on November 1, 1925. His parents rented various farms in Louisa County before purchasing land near Virginia Grove. He attended the Washington #4 one-room schoolhouse, that remains in Virginia Grove today. He remembers bringing coal or firewood into the schoolhouse each morning so the pot-bellied stove would burn red hot during the winter.
AJ graduated from Wapello High School in 1943. He served in the Air Force during WWII and at the end of the war had to decide between an administrative position at the Pentagon or returning to farm in Louisa County. He chose the latter, but first attended Iowa State University where he received a Farm Management A.A. He met Dorothy Wright at Iowa State and they enjoyed 66 years of marriage.
Shortly after he returned to Louisa County, he was asked to create a 4-H club in Marshall township. In the 1970s he was asked to lead an effort to develop Camp Langwood. He was active in 4-H for many years and in 2003 he received the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame award for his lifetime contributions.
AJ worked to improve himself and the world around him. He commuted to Iowa Wesleyan College for several years advancing through their Executive Development program. He became an accredited farm manager and rural appraiser. This allowed him to manage farms for individuals living in other parts of the country and to appraise farms and businesses in Louisa County.
AJ provided leadership to many organizations including: Wapello United Methodist Church, Louisa County Beef Producers, Soybean Association, Southeastern Community College, Iowa 4-H Foundation, Kiwanis, Farm Bureau, Louisa County Historical Society, Morning Sun American Legion, American Association of Farm Managers and Appraisers, Louisa County Corn Growers, and the American Angus Association.
AJ enjoyed walking through the woods with Dorothy and developing the timber on his property. In 2017 he was named Woodland Owner of the Year in Louisa County.
AJ grew up with horses and enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to ride. He also enjoyed taking each of his children and grandchildren to Europe to introduce them to their relatives. AJ could speak both English and German and was recruited to help lead People to People tours to Europe so others could better appreciate what we share in common with others in this world.
AJ had two children; Karen Boysen Rowe (Tim) of Los Alamitos, CA and Rob Boysen of West Des Moines, IA. He has five Grandchildren: Jess Boysen (Chris) of Minneapolis, MN, Adam Boysen (Crystal) of Denver, CO, Erika Boysen of Greensboro, NC, Kristina Kulczycki (Eric) of La Canada, CA, Katie Rowe (Colin Wessells) of Menlo Park, CA. He was loved by his extended family including his late sister, Marie and her children Maurice Mecklenburg and Mary Goodwin, his brother, Elmer, his cousins Lisa Zosulis, Martin Hoeg, Edlef Boysen, and Albert Boysen.
Funeral Services for AJ will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 at 10:30 A.M. at the Wapello United Methodist Church with Pastor Pam Kranzler officiating. A graveside service with Military Honors will follow at the Wapello Cemetery. Following the committal services at the cemetery, a time of food and fellowship will be held in the Wapello United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Wapello Methodist Church Building Fund. Online condolences may be left for the Boysen family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello is caring for the arrangements.
Henry County Supervisors Approve Budget
Henry County employees will see a 7.5% raise. The raise was approved and is reflected in the FY22/23 budget approved Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors. County elected officials receive a 10% increase. This puts those salaries at $116,880 for the attorney, 73,112 for the auditor, recorder and treasurer each, 98,472 for the sheriff and 40,783 for each supervisor. The new budget reflects a tax rate of $8.48 per $1,000 of valuation for urban areas and $12.43 for rural areas. Total revenues for fiscal year 22/23 will be $20,760,708.00 and while the total expenditures will be $22,215,90.00, the beginning fund balance on July 1 is $7,725, 063.00.