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Aftermath: Manchester prepares for RAGBRAI
Breach!
Posted
24
July
2010
Lake Delhi
Photos Courtesy of the Iowa State Patrol
Lake Delhi Dam
Hopkinton
SU Extension Entomologists Offer
Recommendations on Protecting Ash Trees
Posted
26
May
2010
The recent discovery
of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in northeastern Iowa (Allamakee County)
has increased interest in this exotic, invasive insect and what Iowans
can do to protect ash trees (Fraxinus species) on their property. Iowa
State University Extension is collaborating with Iowa state regulatory
agencies and local officials to limit the spread of EAB into other
areas of Iowa. For a full list of EAB detection and education
activities, please visit here.
Treatment options to protect ash trees from this destructive pest are
available, but careful and thoughtful analysis is needed to circumvent
spread of false information and excessive and needless use of
insecticides. Forest, horticulture and insect specialists with ISU
Extension have developed a guide that outlines your management options
against EAB.
The first step for many is confirming that you do have an ash tree.
Only ash trees are susceptible to EAB attack; all species and varieties
of ash trees are at risk. Second is determining if the ash tree is in
vigorous health. Trees must be healthy and growing for treatments to be
effective.
Compromised trees that have mechanical injuries, loose bark or thin
canopy or are struggling to grow in poor sites with limited rooting
area, compacted soil or other stresses are not worth treating. If the
tree is apparently healthy and is valuable in your landscape, then
preventive treatment options may be considered.
Insecticide control measures against EAB should not be used unless you
live within 15 miles of the confirmed EAB infestation. Based on today’s
announcement, the upper portion of Allamakee County is within this risk
zone. However, due to the isolated incidence and associated remote
terrain of the infested site, treatment in Iowa is still not
recommended at this time.
Protecting ash trees with insecticides is a long-term commitment. Most
treatments will need to be reapplied annually or twice per year for an
interminable number of years to protect the tree. With that in mind,
many would be ahead to remove and replace susceptible trees.
ISU Extension has a publication on the topic, PM 2084, "Emerald Ash
Borer Management Options," released June 2009. The publication can be
downloaded from the ISU Extension Online Store here. The North
Central Region IPM Center’s “Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash
Trees from EAB” was issued May 2009 and is available on the ISU emerald
ash borer website here.
It's The Nadas!
Posted
14
May
2010
One of the state's
most popular bands will be the concert headliner for Manchester's
Ragbrai event. The Nadas will perform Friday night, July 30th.
The Nadas are a group of rockers from Des Moines. Over the past sixteen
years, The Nadas have built a strong community of fans and together
they have sold more than 125,000 albums through their own Authentic
Records, including 2003’s Transceiver and 2005’s Listen Through The
Static, both produced by Todd and Toby Pipes of Deep Blue Something, as
well as 2007’s The Ghosts Inside These Halls.
Now, with Almanac, their seventh LP, they are confident they will
continue to grow their community, bringing in new fans and new
beginnings. The Nadas will perform at Manchester's Ragbrai event late
Friday night in the main entertainment area near the Delaware County
Courthouse, though the exact time have not been set.
Along with The Nadas, the Entertainment Committee also plans to hold at
least two other concerts in the afternoon and evening. More details
will be announced when those performances are finalized.
County Lines Blur in Region 11, Bearinger
Says
Posted
10
May
2010
As Dubuque, Jackson
and Delaware counties come together in Iowa State University
Extension’s Region 11, “I see happening over time, without being
forced, the blurring of county lines,” according to director Bruce
Bearinger.
Bearinger is one of 20 regional extension education directors. The
positions were created a year ago as part of ISU Extension’s
restructuring plan to facilitate an issue-based approach to delivering
ISU Extension programming and resources. Bearinger works directly with
county extension council members to meet their legal obligations as an
elected body. Together they are identifying new ways to work across
county borders, provide educational programming that addresses
significant issues and evaluate the results of multi-county and
regional efforts.
One of the things Region 11 is planning to do is bring together small
groups of extension council members from each of the counties to focus
on specific issues.
“We’re always pursuing new ideas and new avenues,” Bearinger said. “I
think the issues surrounding sustainability and the issues surrounding
local foods are going to be the big strengths of Region 11 in the
future.”
These issues will attract the most people and dollars from multi-region
and multi-state consortia, he added.
Extension programs remain strong within each county as well, Bearinger
continued. The Manchester area in Delaware County has developed four
new 4-H clubs focusing on knitting, quilting, pets and shooting sports.
Jackson County is seeing growth in 4-H community clubs.
Dubuque County has started a local foods group, working with the
Leopold Foundation and other local foods groups and reaching across
state lines into Wisconsin and Illinois. This fall the county will be
piloting a Master Urban Conservationist program, focusing on the
conservation issues of an urban setting.
To learn more about ISU Extension programs, contact Bearinger at
563-583-6496 or bearing@iastate.edu,
or
visit
the
ISU
Extension
website,
www.extension.iastate.edu.
More Farmers Using ISU Extension Farm
Financial Planning Analysis
Posted
19
April
2010
An increasing number
of Iowa farm families are turning to Iowa State University Extension
for a farm financial and production evaluation before making changes.
Mike Duffy, ISU Extension farm financial planning program director,
said demand for the program has picked up in recent months. Forty
families requested the analysis during the first three months of 2010,
compared to 57 families served by the program the previous 18 months.
“Evaluating your farm business and determining whether or not a change
is desirable is an essential part of any farm management plan,” said
Duffy. “The farm financial planning program helps farmers and farm
families evaluate their situation. Some want to analyze their current
operation as to its profitability, liquidity and risk bearing ability;
others are looking at areas where improvements can be beneficial to
their operation.”
ISU Extension farm management associates conduct the farm
financial planning program in a one-on-one counseling setting using a
computerized model to evaluate the changes. In addition to the
analysis, they often provide referrals to other sources of information
that might be available to the family. The program is currently funded
by a grant from CF Industries which covers the time and travel of the
associates running the analysis.
Ralph Mayer is one of the 12 Iowa farm management associates. “I begin
by talking to the farmer, or farm family, to get a general idea what
they are looking for from the analysis, as that will impact the
information we need to run it.”
Mayer says that most frequently farmers want to evaluate a change to
the operation – that might be renting an additional farm, buying a farm
or changing a crop or livestock enterprise. At the conclusion of the
conversation, Mayer asks the farmer to supply the basic information
needed to run the analysis – financial and production information for
the operation and information about any potential changes. “Having this
information is extremely critical because the more detailed and
accurate that information is, the more meaningful and useful the
analysis will be.”
FINPAK, the computer analysis used by the program, provides in-depth
information about the farm, evaluates it as it currently exists and
gives information as to the financial impact that a change may have
going forward. This “third party” point of view was exactly what Mary
Clare and Anne Sweeney needed when they contacted ISU Extension for an
analysis last winter.
The Sweeney sisters, fourth generation Dubuque County farmers, manage
and work on the family farm with some help from their three brothers.
“This computer assessment has helped us make better financial
decisions, especially regarding our dilemma and uncertainty about
whether to continue raising livestock or rent our entire farm,” said
Mary Clare Sweeney in an email to Duffy. “The clear and concise
printouts presented the financial ramifications of each of our options;
we can now make much more realistic decisions.”
Sweeney was also impressed with the dedication of her farm associate,
Charles Morine, when he traveled through bad weather and at a distance
to conduct the program’s services. “Chuck explained the program very
clearly and left no doubt in our minds as to the benefit of the
analysis,” she continued. “He was able to answer related financial
questions and direct us to other resources available in our area. We
are very grateful for the help we received.”
Farmers interested in the farm financial planning analysis should
contact their local extension office or Duffy at mduffy@iastate.edu.
To learn more about the program, visit the farm financial planning Web
site www.extension.iastate.edu/farmanalysis.
Delaware County Fair Announces Kansas for
2010 VIP Night: Tickets on Sale April 24th
Posted
23
March
2010
The Delaware County
Fair is excited to announce the lineup for VIP night at the 2010
Delaware County Fair. Kansas will headline this year’s night of legends
concert.
During the ‘70s and ‘80s, Kansas put together a string of gold and
platinum-certified hit albums, sold out tours, and penned two of
classic rock’s most instantly recognizable (and enduring) tunes - the
melodic-yet-rocking “Carry On Wayward Son” and the gorgeous ballad
“Dust in the Wind.” Kansas will be taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. on
Friday, July 16th.
The Delaware County Fair considers VIP night their marquis event and is
proud to once again host this annual party for the community. Jeannie
Domeyer, Manager of the Delaware County Fair said, “Our community
supports VIP night very strongly. We always joke that once people come
to VIP night they come back every year because they have such an
awesome time.”
According to Domeyer attendance at VIP night has been growing steadily
each year. “We try each year to grow the number of attendees. I think
Kansas will put on an outstanding show. Another great group from the
70’s to add to the list of all of the great rock bands that have been
here in the past. If the weather holds out, I think we’ll have another
great year!”
Tickets for this concert will go on sale April 24th at 9:00 a.m. and
may be purchased by calling (563) 927-6449 and (563) 927-3717, online
at www.delawarecofair.com
or by stopping in at the Fair office. Tickets for this show are $60 and
include all you care to eat and drink from 6:00 p.m. until the end of
the concert.
Click www.delawarecofair.com
for more information about this year’s Delaware County Fair.
Tickets on Sale Saturday for Craig Morgan
and Lonestar at the Delaware County Fair
Posted
19
March
2010
The Delaware County
Fair will welcome Craig Morgan and Lonestar to the Main Stage Thursday,
July 15, 2010. The show will start at 7:00 PM and will feature
full performances by both acts. Tickats will go on sale Saturday,
March 20 at 9:00 AM at the Fairgrounds Office or by calling
563.927.6449
World's Largest Tractor Coming to Iowa
Posted
8
March
2010
“Big Bud 16V - 747”,
the world’s largest tractor, will be making its way to Iowa for the
first time ever this spring.
Arriving in April, Big Bud has representatives of Heartland Acres in
Independence expecting big things for visitors who come to the
agriculture museum. “All of us who have worked to get “Big Bud”
to come to Independence are very excited”, stated Heartland Acres Board
member Craig Johnson. “This is a great opportunity to bring more
visitors to Independence and Northeast Iowa.”
Built in Havre, Montana in 1977, “Big Bud” was 1 of over 500 “Big Bud”
brand tractors that were built by Ron Harmon and the crew of the
Northern Manufacturing Company. “Big Bud” is the only 16V-747
model that was produced and was specifically designed to produce higher
horsepower to deep-plow cotton fields for the Rossi Brothers near
Bakersfield, California. The tractor was built to produce 760
horsepower using a 16-cylinder Detroit Diesel engine but has operated
at 980 horsepower. “Big Bud” measures 27 feet long, 20 feet wide, and
14 feet tall and weighs over 130,000 pounds.
“Big Bud” will be making its way to Iowa for the first time in history
and with tractor enthusiasts located throughout the Midwest, an
increase of tourists to Independence is almost certain. “Big Bud
is known globally so this is not only an exciting opportunity for our
area, but for the entire Midwest”, commented Heartland Acres Events
Manager Mike McGill. “We have reached out to the state tourism
office as well as over twenty other organizations that we partner with
in ag tourism to help us as we plan for Big Bud’s
arrival.”
As a member benefit, Chamber members across the state will receive a
discount on adult admission to Heartland Acres while Big Bud is being
displayed. “Participating organizations and their members will
receive $2 off the adult admission by showing our staff this article, a
membership card or by simply stating that they’re visiting as a member
of the Chamber of Commerce”, added McGill.
Visitor’s to Heartland Acres will be able to see “Big Bud 16V-747” from
April 12th until July 31st; making it the longest stop at any site in
its tour history.
For more information about “Big Bud” and Heartland Acres visit www.heartlandacresusa.com
or call 319-332-0123.
Vision Iowa Awards $1.23 Million RECAT
Grant to Museum & Aquarium's "Mississippi Plaza" and City of
Dubuque's River Front Marina
Posted
10
February
2010
Vision Iowa awarded a
$1.23 million grant to the National Mississippi River Museum &
Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. The grant is Vision Iowa's RECAT (River
Enhancement Community Attraction & Tourism) program, which will
support the development of an outdoor plaza between the Museum &
Aquarium and its new Great Rivers Center (the former Diamond Jo Casino
building) due to open this summer. The outdoor plaza is scheduled to
open the following summer of 2011.
The Museum & Aquarium's Mississippi Plaza will provide an outdoor
museum space and will include a flowing stream with live fish, a "Huck
Finn" ride for children, a dancing waters fountain, pavilions as well
as an outdoor dining area with seating along the water's edge. The
total cost of the plaza is estimated at $1.8 million. The Museum &
Aquarium has raised $451,000 towards this effort to date.
Jerry Enzler, executive director of the Museum & Aquarium said,
"This is a tremendous boost to Iowa and to the Port of Dubuque. The
Mississippi Plaza will be a dynamic space to enjoy the river and will
compliment the exciting opening of the Great Rivers Center."
The plaza project includes an additional 43 transient boat slips to the
City of Dubuque's visiting boat docks in the Ice Harbor, which will
result in a total of 68 transient boat slips at this dock location.
Amenities for the boat dock portion of the project will include easy
accessibility according to ADA (American with Disabilities Act)
standards, a dockside shower/bathhouse facility, laundry facilities,
pump-out and waste reception equipment, electrical outlets and water
hook-ups.
"This is great news for Dubuque. We are very grateful to Vision Iowa
for this grant and their continued partnership in revitalizing our
riverfront," said Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol. "The expansion of
the museum and aquarium and the addition of visiting boat docks in the
Ice Harbor are significant to the continued growth of tourism in our
community."
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