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Secretary Naig Encourages Applications for Century and Heritage Farm Recognition

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition as part of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Century and Heritage Farm Program. The program was created by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to honor families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

To be included for recognition in 2024, completed applications must be postmarked or received by the Department by June 1, 2024. The ceremonies honoring the 2024 Century and Heritage Farm families will be held on August 15, 2024, in the historic Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair.

“Century and Heritage Farm families represent the very best of our state and are remarkable examples of the ingenuity, strength and resilience of Iowa agriculture,” said Secretary Naig. “You can’t help but be inspired by the pride, stories and legacies of these multi-generational farm families and that makes Century and Heritage Farm Day at the Iowa State Fair one of my favorite days of the year.”

To apply, download and complete the application found on the Department’s website and return it to:

Century and Heritage Farm Program

c/o Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Wallace State Office Building

502 E. 9th Street

Des Moines, IA 50319

You may also request an application from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at 515-281-3645 or kelley.reece@iowaagriculture.gov.

This is the 48th year of the Century Farm Program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 21,000 farms from across the state have received this distinction. This is the 18th year of the Heritage Farm Program and more than 1,800 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006.

To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit the database on the Department’s website. Photos from past recognition ceremonies are also available on the Department’s Flickr website.

Central College Music Concerts Set for February

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA — Central College’s music program will showcase three concerts in February and bring joy during the winter.

A Cappella Choir will perform alongside 10th-12th grade students from 14 different high schools to conclude Singfest. The concert will take place 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. Mark Babcock, a 1991 Central graduate, M. Joan Kuyper Farver Endowed Chair in Music and professor of music, will conduct the performance. Singfest is an honor choir festival hosted by Central’s music program for high school students.

Gabriel Espinosa, a 1979 Central graduate and professor emeritus of music, will host “Jazzmania” at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, in the Cox-Snow Recital Hall. Joining Espinosa as special guests will be Canadian pianist Carol Welsman and ALMA.

High School Bandfest, an honor band festival, will welcome students from 23 different schools. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. The Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble will also perform. Brad Lampe, lecturer of music, will conduct the performance.

All three events are free and will be live streamed on Central Dutch Network.

Nelson Pioneer Farm Welcomes McKenzie “Mac” Korte as New Museum Director

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Historical Society/Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum announced the appointment of McKenzie Hardeman Korte, often known in his communities and to his family as Mac, as their new incoming Museum Director. Mac has close ties to the local community in Oskaloosa through the Hardeman family.

Mac comes to Mahaska County with an impressive background in museum education and management, serving in many roles throughout his career at various museums and schools from coast to coast, including renowned institutions such as the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and the Mystic Seaport Museum. Mac comes to Nelson Pioneer after celebrating with many of his close friends and colleagues in the museum and education spheres in New England knowing that his experiences and passion for his communities will be the drivers of his success as he returns to his family in Oskaloosa.

“The hiring committee and I were incredibly impressed with Mac’s breadth of experience and the range of communities in which he’s served,” explains outgoing Director/Curator Margaret Spiegel. “Mac’s professional experience in many facets of museum work lays a solid foundation for his role as Museum Director at the Mahaska County Historical Society. His outgoing and conscientious personality will also ensure he leads our organization with intention, care, and excitement. I’ve no doubt that he will do well here.”

Mac’s experiences and background in new methods and technologies in the museum field have allowed him to focus on sustainable, community-focused initiatives with the hopes to cultivate new generations of museum and community members. In his collegiate studies at Eastern Connecticut State University, Mac received a degree in History, building connections throughout the area leading to his prospering career.

Reflecting on his new role, Mac shares his enthusiasm stating: “Coming to Oskaloosa to serve a community close to me just down the road from the Hardeman family farm is a profound honor. I am grateful to see the culmination of my experiences and connections with so many communities across the United States bring me here to the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum. It’s a distinct privilege to continue and build from the successful work of outgoing director Margaret Spiegel and the community she has helped foster here.”

The Mahaska County Historical Society invites the public to join them in warmly welcoming Mac to his new role as he journeys from New England to Mahaska County in time for their Annual Meeting on February 19th in his cross-country battle tested 2004 Subaru Outback.

The public portion of the Annual Meeting begins at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, February 19 after a brief business meeting for Historical Society members.

Officials tout Super Bowl plans to crimp counterfeiting, ground drones, curb human trafficking

Posted on by Sam Parsons

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Amid warnings about counterfeit goods, human trafficking and illegal drones at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, federal, state and local security officials said Monday they’re preparing for a busy week in the air, at airports, at Allegiant Stadium and in merchandise shops as crowds arrive for the NFL championship game.

Representatives from agencies including Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration — accompanied by a bomb-sniffing beagle named Ozzie — briefed the media at Harry Reid International Airport about their plans to counter such illegal activity.

The officials displayed a table piled high with knockoff sports memorabilia including jerseys, T-shirts, caps, beanies and a sparkling silver replica of the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy.

“The merchandise you see on display today is nothing compared to the millions of fake goods that criminals will try to sell online, on the street and through other unauthorized sources,” said Cheryl Davies, lead Super Bowl field coordinator for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Our message is clear: Don’t buy this stuff.”

“We have collectively surged resources in the months leading up to the Super Bowl to identify and target individuals illegally importing counterfeit goods into the United States,” said Christopher Miller, Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Las Vegas.

Investigators seized nearly $1 million worth of counterfeit merchandise from four locations just during the last weekend, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said after the briefing. He declined to provide details, saying investigations were continuing.

The air around Allegiant Stadium next Sunday has been designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as a “no drone zone.” Takeover signals and jammers will be used if necessary, said Karen Burke, TSA Nevada security director.

Commercial air operations at nearby Harry Reid Airport are not expected to be affected. But Davies said customs agency Blackhawk and A-star helicopters will be aloft to protect airspace and enforce no-fly zones.

Ralph Lepore, an airport administrator with the Clark County Department of Aviation, focused on efforts to stem human trafficking, which he said was neither new nor exclusive to big events.

“We’re reminding all our employees, partners and guests to be alert and act if they see something suspicious,” he said. “It’s extremely important.”

Burke noted that TSA officers were trained to spot human trafficking and that extra agents will be added to handle record post-game crowds expected to top more than 100,000 passengers a day early next week at Harry Reid airport. She promised that every lane of every airport security checkpoint will be open nonstop for 48 hours after the Super Bowl ends.

Senate GOP leader optimistic lawmakers can agree on some AEA changes

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The chairman of the House Education Committee says the governor’s bill to overhaul Area Education Agencies will not come up for a vote in his committee. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver predicts the legislature will approve some changes in how AEAs operate.

“I think there’s a lot of people in our (Senate Republican) Caucus that are excited to make some reforms,” Whitver says. “There’s some that have a lot questions and I think it really indicates more of just the normal legislative process where the two sides disagree and we’re going to have to work with the governor and find some solution, but I’m optimistic we can do that.”

Area Education Agencies provide services for students with disabilities, as well as media and curriculum materials and training for all teachers. Governor Reynolds has proposed giving each Iowa school district the option to use AEA services or find another way to provide those services to students and staff.
House Speaker Pat Grassley has suggested it’s time for a “reset” on the whole conversation about AEAs. Whitver says the governor has made adjustments in her intitial proposal.

“I don’t know about starting from scratch because it is a totally different bill than it was three weeks ago, but we’re going to have to continue the conversation and make the case why these reforms are necessary if it’s going to become law.”

Critics say under the governor’s plan, urban districts will be able to use their AEA allotment to hire more staff or find private companies to provide the services — leaving rural schools with a depleted AEA system.

“That’s what we’re looking at, but I mean there’s almost $600 million in the AEA system, so if some of the schools opt out, I think there’s still a lot of money to make sure that services are being given to students across the state,” Whitver says, “but that’s certainly something we’re hearing from our rural members.”

Whitver made his comments this weekend on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS.

Poweshiek County farmer wins Iowa Farm Bureau’s ‘Grow Your Future’ Award

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—Feb 5, 2024—Ashley Wenke of Pleasant Grove Homestead near Montezuma was named Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s “Grow Your Future” Award first-place winner at the organization’s Young Farmer Conference held Feb. 2-3. Wenke takes home a $7,500 grand prize to expand her direct-to-consumer produce and meat business.

Wenke, along with her husband, Zachary, grow more than 40 different crops in addition to meat birds and laying hens. In 2023, they sold more than 1,200 meat chickens at farmers markets and food cooperatives. Through the Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program, their farm provided $9,000 of fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries in 2023 and continues to supply 90 dozen eggs weekly to meet nutritional needs of the community.

The Wenkes plan to use their winnings to purchase stainless steel tables, shelves for their cooler and harvest crates for deliveries. These items are expected to increase their farm’s efficiency by 30% to better meet their growing customer bases’ needs, says Wenke.

The Grow Your Future competition helps young farmers, ages 18-35, amplify their niche market, unique ag service or specialty business. Contestants submitted a video application in August of 2023. A public vote held in December during Iowa Farm Bureau’s annual meeting narrowed the contestant pool from five selected applicants to three. The three finalists then participated in a live pitch-off in front of 550 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference attendees.

“During the public voting, we were so excited to see the number of people in our local community rallying around us and supporting us with their daily votes,” says Wenke. “This award not only allowed us to receive funds to grow our operation, but we were also able to share our experience and growth with others across the state who are interested in similar work to ours.”

In second place, Carly Zierke of Sweet Season Farm in Winneshiek County won $5,000. Zierke and her husband, Ethan, sell produce via subscriptions and collaborate with another local farm to diversify their offerings. Bobbi Jo Berg, from Recipes from French Creek in Allamakee County, who creates freezer meals with locally sourced ingredients, including eggs from her own farm, took third place and a $2,500 prize.

“This competition is another example of how our grassroots organization works,” says Amanda Van Steenwyk, Iowa Farm Bureau farm business development manager. “Five years ago, our young farmer committee wanted to highlight and support fellow farmers who were thinking outside the box and meeting consumer demand in niche markets. Since then, we’ve been able to award money to farmers who raise crickets, grow mushrooms, have direct-to-consumer businesses and offer agritourism opportunities. It’s been great to elevate entrepreneurs who are strengthening agriculture and their local communities.”

Oskaloosa City Council Swears in Two New Police Officers, Honors Outgoing Councilmember

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council held their first regular meeting of the month of February last night. The city swore in two new police officers to the Osky Police Department: officers Cale Holmberg and Richard Fortney. Officer Holmberg is an Oskaloosa native and graduate of Oskaloosa High School, receiving his degree in Criminal Justice from Indian Hills Community College. Officer Fortney was born in Iowa City and raised in Eldon. He graduated from Cardinal High School and attended the University of Northern Iowa as a Presidential Scholar, where he received his degree in criminology with honors. Fortney previously worked for police departments in Richland, Sigourney, and Williamsburg, as well as Oskaloosa itself.

The Osky city council also honored outgoing city councilmember Steve Burnett. Burnett officially announced his resignation from the council effective January 26. The council voted unanimously to fill the empty council seat via a special election.

TOBY KEITH PASSES AWAY AT 62

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Country singer Toby Keith has died. His family put out a brief statement on social media and his website saying “Toby Keith passed peacefully away last night on February 5th surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”

Keith told fans back in June 2022 that he was dealing with stomach cancer. The “How Do You Like Me Now?” singer made his last stage appearance at a sold out Las Vegas show in December and received the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards in September.

Toby Keith’s debut single shot to number one and several more followed. His last was “Made In America.” Toby Keith was 62.

 

Source: NBC News

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1963, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs made their first on-screen appearance on the CBS sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies,” in order to sing their new song, “Pearl Pearl Pearl.” They had already been performing the theme song.
  • Today in 1971, the song “Joshua” got Dolly Parton her first #1 single.
  • Today in 1976, Ronnie Milsap joined the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 1980, George Jones recorded “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” He made a bet with his producer that it wouldn’t go to #1 on the charts.
  • Today in 1989, Patty Loveless married producer Emory Gordy in a quiet ceremony.
  • Today in 2001, Diamond Rio’s album “One More Day” was released.
  • Today in 2011, at the Super Bowl, Keith Urban performed “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me,” as the Packers beat the Steelers 31-25.
  • Today in 2012, Eric Church’s song, “Springsteen,” was released.
  • Today in 2014, an episode of CMT Crossroads featuring Dierks Bentley and OneRepublic was shot. Songs included “Counting Stars,” “Up On The Ridge,” “I Hold On,” and “Pride (In The Name Of Love.)”
  • Today in 2016, just days after cancelling all his February shows, Merle Haggard played a concert in Las Vegas, struggling through six songs before giving the stage to Toby Keith. The last performance of Haggard’s life included “Ramblin’ Fever” and “Sing Me Back Home.”

LAINEY WILSON TESTIFIES OVER AI LEGISLATION

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Lainey Wilson was one of a series of witnesses that sat before lawmakers in Los Angeles Friday to plead the case of artists and performers who are being threatened by artificial intelligence, or “AI.” The singer called for passage of proposed legislation that would curb the use of unauthorized AI deepfakes and voice clones, telling lawmakers that “we need to keep humanity in art. We cannot lose that.”

Wilson was among the witnesses testifying at a Los Angeles field hearing of a House Judiciary subcommittee, with some strong endorsements for the proposed bill (The “No AI Fraud Act”).  “My art is uniquely and literally me, my name, my likeness, my voice,” Wilson said. “I do not have to tell you how much of a gut punch it is to have your likeness or your voice ripped from you and used in ways that you could never imagine or would never allow. It is wrong, plain and simple.”

As an example, Wilson described a situation that she and several other country stars like Trisha Yearwood and Dolly Parton found themselves dealing with recently. She explained that she has spotted herself online in unauthorized ads in which she is selling weight loss gummies. “I would never in a million years ever do anything like that. But at the end of the day, people say like, ‘I got to see it to believe it.’ Well they’re seeing it and they’re believing it, and folks that I am super close to believe it at times too. And it’s really, really scary when it gets to that point.”

Source: Deadline

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