Agriculture

4-H News

Published by admin on Wed, 03/29/2017 - 9:23am

Prairie Hill

     The regular meeting of the Prairie Hill 4-H Club was held March 20, 2017 at the Citizens State Bank Youth Development Center.

     The meeting was called to order by Chloe Gray at 6:18 p.m. The Pledge to the American Flag was led by Claire Hogan. Roll call was: “Name your favorite season.” It was answered by 37 members. Seven visitors were present.

Goedken continues tradition of raising mini beef cattle

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 9:00am

     Several years ago, before he passed away, Steve Ehrisman raised mini beef cattle. Carrying on his business, Dave Goedken of Monticello has picked up where Ehrisman left off.

     Located within city limits along E. Sixth Street, Goedken is raising nine mini beef cows, two different breeds: black lowline angus and purebred Herefords. Just over the weekend, a calf was born to one of the lowlines. Goedken said three calves have already been born, with about five more to come.

     “We’re expecting about eight calves this spring,” he said.

Cover crop benefits, responsibility explored at workshop

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 8:52am

     Why is there increased interest in cover crops, what are the benefits of planting them, and who needs to be involved in their expense?

     These and other questions were explored during a Cover Crop Workshop, sponsored by Iowa Learning Farms in February at American Legion Post 421 in Central City.

     About 25 farmers were on hand, listening, asking questions and making comments speakers from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Rausch's hard work with small pigs pays off in award

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 8:47am

     When Marty Rausch and a few others were invited out to eat by Kenneth Luckstead of the Maschoff hog production company, Rausch didn’t think anything of it.

     “We were just going out for a burger. That’s all I thought we were doing,” he said.

     When he arrived at Walker’s Prairie Moon Restaurant in Prairieburg, a representative from Zoetis, a pharmaceutical animal health company, was there.

     Rausch was presented with a Caretaker of the Year award from Zoetis, for his work with young pigs at Russell Brothers/Prairie Ridge Pork near Prairieburg.

Beef Banquet draws 820

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 8:45am

     A record crowd for this century, 820, poured into the Monticello Berndes Center for the annual Jones County Beef Banquet Saturday, March 18.

     The banquet had its usual list of award-winners, scholarships, live and silent auctions, but added a new twist: a Jones County Idol karaoke contest, won by Holly Beringer of Cascade.

ICA members band together to help victims of wildfires

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 8:41am

     Over the past two weeks, as cattlemen across Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas fell victim to wildfires, there has been an overwhelming desire among Iowa cattlemen to help. In response, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation are partnering with DreamDirt Farm and Ranch Real Estate on an online auction fundraiser.

4-H News

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 8:40am

Scotch Grove Challengers

     The March 5, 2017 meeting of the Scotch Grove Challengers was held at Monticello Renaissance Center in Monticello. Twenty-seven members answered the roll call topic: “Name something green.” Matthew Beal led the Pledge of Allegiance. Joseph Schrader read the Secretary’s Report. Davin Wickman made a motion to approve the Secretary’s Report. Cooper Wickman seconded. Matthew Beal read the Treasurer’s Report. Ty Jesenovec made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. Davin Wickman seconded.

MHS hosts district FFA contest

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 8:55am

     More than 600 Iowa FFA students converged upon Monticello High School Saturday, March 11 for the Northeast District FFA Competition.

     Among the competitors were FFA Chapter members from Monticello, Maquoketa Valley and Midland.

     New district officers were elected, and Monticello FFA advisor Eric Schmitt completed his term as the Northeast District FFA advisor.

     Results from the area schools follow.

 

Monticello

     Creed Speaking: Travis Heinrich, silver.

Jones SWCD to celebrate 75th anniversary

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 8:51am

     Come join the fun at the Jones Soil & Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) 75th anniversary celebration on Friday, March 24th at the Citizens State Bank Youth Development Center, Jones County Fairgrounds, in Monticello.

     The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a complimentary lunch sponsored by the Jones SWCD, Thrivent Financial, and Ohnward Bank & Trust.

Students invited to submit artwork for ag calendar

Published by admin on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 8:50am

     Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging students from Iowa to submit artwork to be considered for inclusion in the “From the Farm to You” calendar.

     The calendars are distributed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at the Iowa State Fair and include artwork that emphasizes the connection between the production of Iowa’s farmers and the products used by people every day.

Subscriber Login