OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa Public Library is happy to announce that they will host a visit from local Iowa author Beth Hoffman on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 6 pm.  The presentation will take place in the meeting room at the library.

Hoffman’s book, Bet the Farm is a firsthand account of the reality of farming today and an exploration of more just and sustainable ways of producing food.

Beth Hoffman was living the good life: she had a career as a journalist and professor, a comfortable home in San Francisco, and plenty of close friends and family. Yet in her late 40s, she and her husband decided to leave the big city and move to his family ranch in Iowa—all for the dream of becoming a farmer, to put into practice everything she had learned over decades of reporting on food and agriculture. There was just one problem: money.

The economics of agriculture are a challenge: half of America’s two million farms made less than $300 in 2019. Between rising land costs, ever-more expensive equipment, and the growing uncertainty of the climate, farming today is a risky business. For many, simply staying afloat is a constant struggle.

Bet the Farm looks at the cultural, environmental and economic aspects of agriculture in America, and chronicles this struggle through Beth’s eyes as a beginning farmer. The family must figure out how to pass the farm from one generation to the next. Growing oats is good for the environment but ends up being very bad for the wallet. And finding somewhere, in the midst of COVID-19, to slaughter and sell grass-finished beef is a nightmare.

Even with a decent nest egg and access to land, making ends meet at times seems impossible. And Beth knows full well that she is among the privileged. If Beth can’t make it, how can farmers who confront racism, lack access to land, or don’t have other jobs to fall back on, succeed? Bet the Farm is a first-hand account of the perils of farming today and a personal exploration of more just and sustainable ways of producing food.

OSKALOOSA — The Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum will celebrate its annual Fall Festival this year on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Pioneer Farm is excited to showcase several new exhibits during its annual celebration of pioneer living.

“Our staff and volunteer corps have been hard at work renovating exhibit spaces across the site,” explains Margaret Spiegel, director of Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum. “Eleven spaces have been revamped for visitors to enjoy, including three of our historic building interiors and eight mini exhibits in our museum building.”

Festivities include many crowd favorites, including threshing oats with the Woods Brothers steam engine, harvest and field demonstrations using historic equipment, a working sawmill demonstration, the old-fashioned spelling bees in the Prine School, a Pioneer Picnic in Bradbury Hall and pony rides with Pony-Go-Round in the afternoon. The vintage tractor parade concludes the day at 3:30 p.m.

“The Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum is the home of the Mahaska County Historical Society, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year,” Spiegel continues. “We have installed a new temporary exhibit outlining the growth and accomplishments of the Historical Society during its first 80 years and its vision for the future. Visitors will be able to enjoy that in the Craft Barn while they enjoy demonstrations, crafts and food. The popular taffy pulling, homemade bread and butter and kid’s crafts are all nearby the commemorative exhibit.”

Be sure to plan an entire day of family fun, since several local 4-H clubs and volunteers lead crafts and games across the site. Demonstrators will showcase various skills including blacksmithing, rope-making, weaving, farming with hand tools and more throughout the buildings and on the grounds. In addition to the homemade bread and butter and taffy, several vendors with honey, homemade items and books will be on site.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and kids 5 years and under are free. All Historical Society members also receive free admission. Contact Spiegel at the Nelson Pioneer Farm to purchase a membership prior to this year’s festival. Memberships are $20 for families and $12 for individuals and will be active through December 2023.

Pre-sales for tickets are currently available online. Member and non-member tickets are available at nelsonpioneer.org/tickets/.

“You can purchase a membership at the time of ticket purchase,” assures Spiegel. “Ticket pre-sales allow for more convenient credit card payments for visitors and helps us plan for food and other items. Cash and check are the only options for ticket sales at the gate, but we do have a credit card option during the Pioneer Picnic, so make sure you plan accordingly for your visit.”

The Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum is maintained by the Mahaska County Historical Society and located at 2211 Nelson Lane, Oskaloosa. For questions, you may contact the director Margaret Spiegel at 641-672-2929 or curator@nelsonpioneer.org.

The Ottumwa City Council met last night and among the actions taken was the passage of an ordinance related to automobile sales. Community Development Director Zach Simonson walked the council through some of the changes to existing regulations.

The council passed the ordinance unanimously. The Ottumwa City Council will hold its next regular meeting on September 20.