Agriculture

SWCD poster contest is set

Published by admin on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 1:54pm

   The Jones Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is hosting a conservation poster contest for students Kindergarten through 12th grade.

   Any student attending public, private or home school is eligible to participate. The contest theme is “Home is where the Habitat is.”

Adams family honored as Master Pork Producers

Published by admin on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 3:29pm

   The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has announced Chad and Renee Adams as 2024 Master Pork Producer award-winners.

   The award-winners embody the diversity of Iowa’s pig farms and the dedicated individuals who support pork producers. Nominated by their peers and neighbors, these honorees reflect strength and collaboration within the pork industry.

Achievements of '24 lauded at 4-H Awards Program

Published by admin on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 3:28pm

   Jones County 4-H members were honored for their achievements of 2024, during the Jones County 4-H Awards Program Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Youth Development Center in Monticello.

   Following a meal provided by the Jones County Cattlemen, the Jones County 4-H County County Council was installed. Then came the presentation of awards.

Trumm is recipient of bred heifers

Published by admin on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 3:26pm

   On Jan. 17, the Jones County Cattlemen presented Annie Trumm of Cascade with the heifer program award, consisting of three Angus bred heifers.

   The heifers were provided by Kurt Family Farms of Cascade, owned by Jason and Lisa Kurt.

   To promote beef production, the Jones County Cattlemen provide three bred heifers to a deserving youth. Qualified applications from young producers looking to start or expand a herd of their own are submitted in October.

Conservation Woman of the Year

Published by admin on Fri, 02/07/2025 - 3:19pm

Naig visits Kaufman Farms to discuss show pigs, 'Choose Iowa'

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 10:26am

   When Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited Kaufman Farms near Anamosa Jan. 23, he was motivated by three things:

   • He wanted to learn about the farm’s efforts to involve the sale of show pigs in the Choose Iowa state-branded initiative for agriculture.

   • He wanted to offer advice to the family on how it can use Choose Iowa to further promote sales.

   • It also helped that it was convenient.

Carrying it on: Ahrendsen's love of ag leads to prominent position at Iowa Corn

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 8:50am

   Becca Ahrendsen developed a passion for agriculture at an early age, growing up on her family’s century-old farm in rural Jones County.

   She has taken that passion to a position with Iowa Corn, as Market Development Manager in Johnston.

   Followers of 4-H, the Great Jones County Fair and its animal shows will likely remember Ahrendsen, now 27; she was prominent in fair activities for many years.

   “Jones County forever holds a special place in my heart,” she said.

Second Light Candle Bar specializes in healthy, soy candles

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 8:48am

     If you drive by Monticello Motel on E. Oak Street/Highway 38, you might not think anything of it. Most people don’t consider what a hotel has to offer until they need a cozy place to stay for the night.

   It might surprise you to know, especially those in the community, that the motel is also home to Second Light Candle Bar & Gift Shop.

Gray's CCA background helps in selling ag equipment

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 8:46am

     “Being a certified crop advisor (CCA) helps understand a lot of this,” shared Clint Gray, manager of the Monticello Bodensteiner Implement Co. “I use being a CCA just to leverage what I do here. As sales people and managers, we all have industry experts we can reach out to. Being a CCA is just one more thing that I can use to help the job here, helping customers with their equipment decisions.”

   Gray has been a CCA since 2017. There are two CCAs who work for the John Deere dealer: Gray and Eli Lawrence.

Relay cropping trials show hints of promise

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 8:44am

   Can the practice of relay cropping when it involves soybeans – planting an overwintering cereal grain in the fall followed by beans in the spring – produce economic benefits while also helping a farm environmentally?

   On-farm research trials conducted by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) in conjunction with Iowa Learning Farms suggest that it is possible – with conditions.

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