laurens, iowa april 5, 2017

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 1

The PaperLaurens, Iowa

Our Town , Our Paper!

© Copyright My Laurens, Inc., 2010 All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 10 No. 49

April 5, 2017

www.thepapernow.com

Local News

So Many Sights in So Few Days By: Jerry Depew

Some Laurens-Marathon middle school students are planning a trip east. They want to see the nation's capitol, the White House, the Smithsonian, the Newseum, Arlington Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, Virginia's historic district, the Mall, and probably more. One of the travelers will be Emma Storms, a second generation Charger who saw her brother take this trip in 2012. Emma also says "I have always wanted to see the Martin Luther King memorial because we have learned about him and his

memorial at school." Emma's trip fund got a small boost from Charger Pride which stands ready to help L-M students in this and other projects. To boost the boosters, write to [email protected] or call Allison Lund Price at (712) 845-2327.

Click here to read this month’s L-M Family, School & Community Connections

March 2017 Newsletter!

https://goo.gl/4zhURG




Our Town Our Paper! 2

Local News


Local News

Laurens Golf & Country ClubFish Fry

Friday, April 7Serving: 5-8 p.m.

Menu: All You Can Eat Fish, Baked Potato,

Baked Beans, Cole Slaw & Garlic Toast

Adults: $12 Kids: $6

Driver’s License Station Closed The Driver’s License Station at the Pocahontas County Treasurer’s Office will be closed on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 for staff to attend a mandatory District Driver’s License Issuance Conference. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (712) 335-4334.

First Cooperative AssociationYard Person - Laurens

The duties for this position include dumping grain for customers, maintaining grain quality, maintaining our facilities and assist with other location duties as necessary.

The individual we hire must take pride in their work and aggressively pursue their duties. In exchange for your dedication, our company offers competitive pay and excellent benefits.

You may get more information and apply online for this position on our website at www.firstcoop.com under the Employment Section, or obtain an application at one of our

locations, or contact:Jerry Weiler

Human Resources Director960 Riverview Dr, PO Box 60, Cherokee, IA 51012

Ph. 712-225-5400 or 888-216-1647Email: [email protected]


Local News & Advertising

Celtic Guitarist Jerry Barlow Returns to Fonda Arts CenterThe Fonda Arts Center is pleased to once again welcome Celtic fingerstyle guitarist Jerry Barlow in concert. The performance will be on Saturday, April 8th, at 7 p.m. at the Arts Center on the NW corner of Fourth and Main in Fonda. A wine tasting with InnSpiration Winery will precede the concert at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $12 in advance or at the door. Limited seating is available. Barlow is a warm, accessible performer and storyteller. His unique and skillfully delivered repertoire incorporates favorite traditional pieces as well as his own Celtic-inspired compositions. His expressive arrangements of lively jigs, spirited reels, and haunting airs is described as music to soothe the soul, warm the heart and lift the spirit. In concert, Jerry brings traditional Celtic tunes alive by sharing the history, humor, and legends behind the music. “Jerry Barlow … a performer who is skilled, funny and riveting. Out of the many musicians performing today, the vast majority are skilled in either performing on their instrument or in entertaining an audience. It’s very rare and extremely enjoyable to see a musician at the very top of his craft in both

areas,” says Scott Beach, Director of Colorado Celtic Entertainment. Barlow’s latest CD, VOYAGE OF HOPE, was released in early September. It features songs about the Irish immigration to America in the mid-1800s. His 2011 recording, FIELDS AND FENCES, was one of five nominees for Instrumental Album of the Year by the Independent Music Awards. The Indie Acoustic Project selected the title song from Jerry’s CD, BRING DOWN THE STORM, as “one of the best songs of 2006.” Music from all of Barlow’s recordings can be heard regularly on National Public Radio stations. He has been featured in Fingerstyle Guitar magazine, and was profiled in Celtic Connection. He has performed in the Gates Auditorium for the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts, and is a favorite of High Plains Public Radio’s Living Room Concert Series in Amarillo, TX. For more information, contact 712.288.6278 or www.jerrybarlow.com.

Garage Sale117 S 4th St. - Laurens

April 6 - 1-8 p.m. April 7 - 1-8 p.m.

April 8 - 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Girls Clothes 6-8, Boys Clothes 5-7, Playground set,

Precious Moments, Christmas decorations, Lots of Kids toys, books

and bikes.


The PaperPublished weekly by

My Laurens, Inc.112 Walnut St.

Laurens, IA 50554

Phone: (712) 841-2684

Fax: (712) 841-4662

Website: www.thepapernow.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Publisher: Rodney Johnson

Editor:Amanda Tendal

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At the Library

At the Library with Glenda MulderApril 5, 2017

National Library Week is coming up on April 9-15. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). Included are all types of libraries – school, public, academic and special. This year’s theme is "Libraries Transform." The ALA states that it is a

time to celebrate our nation’s libraries and library workers for transforming lives through free access to technology, information literacy, diverse collections and opportunities for community engagement. I think we also should take a moment to realize how libraries themselves have transformed to meet the changing needs of our communities. Remember when libraries were a quiet, solemn place for studying? In my mind, they had an almost museum-like quality. It seemed we were meant to select our books and leave as quietly as possible. That could not be further from the Laurens Public Library in 2017! We are the educational, social, and cultural hub of our community, but we are definitely not a quiet place! I’ve often said that I just can’t talk about a good book using my quiet voice! (And yes, I’ve been “shushed” more than once!) I once heard a speaker say that learning is often messy and seldom quiet. I think that pretty much describes us! Our Book Club selection for April is the winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for literature; “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. Our catalog describes it like this: “A blind French girl on the run from the German occupation and a German orphan-turned-Resistance tracker struggle with respective beliefs after meeting on the Brittany coast.” Some of our readers have already read this book and highly recommend it. Stop by and pick up a copy and join our discussion Monday, April 24th. New books lately include Burial Hour by Jeffery Deaver, This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel, Once in a Blue Moon by Lorna Landvik and One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline. We also ordered three kids’ chapter books based on the current movie “A Dog’s Purpose” as a memorial for Kathy Kaufman Johnson by the Laurens Elks Class of 1964. A couple of them have arrived and they look great! When I saw on Facebook that GoServ Global was collecting used prescription glasses to be refurbished to give a Haitian the gift of better vision, I volunteered our Library as a drop spot. So, if you have extra glasses lying around, please consider donating them!

COMING EVENTS• Tot Time every Monday at 10 a.m.

• Card Making 4th Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.• Take it Tuesday - 1st Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

• Book Club 4th Monday at 7 p.m.• “German Iowa & the Global Midwest” July 5-17


Announcements & Advertising

Knight of Columbus Turkey Dinner

Sunday, April 9th

Serving 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm

Sacred Heart Parish Center

Adults $10.00 12 and Under $5.00

April 9 - Jr. High & High School 5-8 p.m. at the Baptist Church

April 15 - 7 p.m. Practice & Set-Up for Sunrise Service at

First ChristianApril 16 - Easter Sunrise Service

at First Christian at 7 A.M.NO EVENING YOUTH GROUP

April 23 - Junior High 6-8 p.m. at the Baptist Church

April 30 - High School 6-8 p.m. at the Baptist Church

Lenten Lunch Schedule:

April 5 - First Christian Church

All lunches at 11:30 a.m. with a love offering

Sol Cundy Information Requested for 2017 Laurens Cemetery Tour

Information needed for the 2017 Laurens Cemetery Tour about Solomon “Sol” Cundy, a real estate agent and also owner of the Laurens Hotel at one time. Please share memories of Sol Cundy as well as photographs of him if possible. Please contact Grace Hertz (712) 845-2231 or [email protected]. Thank you.


Announcements

WHY NOT YOU!!!

The Laurens Area Youth Group is excited to partner with Iowa KidsNet to provide Foster kids with backpacks and needed supplies as they transition to a new living arrangement.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 5th at 7 p.m. at the Laurens Public Library

to hear how you can help fill backpacks and about the Foster Care

system. Maybe you have considered being a Foster parent but were not

sure how, we will have Bambi Schrader from Iowa KidsNet with us that night to answer questions you might have. Bambi has been working in Foster care and adoption for over 20 years and will

share with you her personal experience of being a foster/adoptive parent and more about the need for local foster/adoptive homes.

Children deserve loving and stable families – can you be that family??


Church

This Week at Laurens United Methodist ChurchWed., April 5th:Confirmation Class @ 6 p.m.

Thurs., April 6th:UMW Ex. Board meeting @ 8:45 a.m.UMW General meeting @ 9:30 a.m.

Fri., April 7th:Men’s Bible Study @ 7 a.m.

Sat., April 8th:UMM meeting @ 7 a.m.

Sun., April 9th:Palm SundayAdult Sunday School @ 9:00 a.m.Sunday School (kids) @ 9:10 a.m.Fellowship Coffee @ 9:30 a.m.Worship @ 10:30 a.m.Processional~ palm branches (children)Special music ~ Sunday School studentsChoir Easter Cantata practice @ 7 p.m.

Wed., April 12th;Confirmation Class @ 6 p.m.

This Week at Bethany LutheranWednesday: April 5, 201711:30 AM ~ Lenten Luncheon at FCC5:30-6:30 PM ~ Lenten Soup Supper6:30 PM ~ Lenten Bible Study

Thursday: April 6, 20173:30-5 PM ~ Kid’s Club at FCC5 PM ~ Kid’s Club Program & Pizza at FCC

Sunday: April 9, 2017Palm Sunday9 AM ~ SS & Confirmation9:15 AM ~ Coffee Fellowship9:15 AM ~ Adult SS10:30 AM ~ Worship w/Communion 5-8 PM ~ Youth Group (JH& HS) at NHBC

Monday: April 10, 20177 PM ~ Hand Bell Rehearsal

Tuesday: April 11, 201710 AM ~ Coffee Time

Wednesday: April 12, 20175 PM ~ Christian Ed Mtg.6:30 PM ~ Lenten Bible Study

Worship, Love, Accept~Together in Christ’s Name

This Week at First Christian ChurchPastor Rev. Rita Cordell

Wednesday, April 5 11:30 a.m. - Lenten Lunch here7:00 p.m. - Mission Council

Thursday, April 6 2:00 p.m. - CWF3:30-5:00 p.m. - Kid’s Club at FCC5:00 p.m. - Kid’s Club Closing Program

Friday, April 7 7:00 p.m. - AA

Sunday, April 9 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Elder’s Meeting 10:30 a.m. - Worship 5-8 p.m. - Laurens Area Youth Group (JR. High & HS) at New Hope Baptist Church

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Laurens

Pastor ~ Fr. John J. Gerald Weekday Mass : Friday, 8:00 AM Weekend Mass: Sunday, 8:30 AM (July – October) Religious Education Classes: Wednesdays (September – May) Rosary Society – Meetings TBA Knights of Columbus – Second Tuesday of the Month Sacred Heart Parish Council - Fourth Tuesday of the Month Cluster Parishes St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sioux Rapids Weekday Mass: 8:00am (Monday & Wednesday)

Weekend Mass: Saturday, 5:00 PM (July – October) St. Louis Catholic Church, Royal

Weekend Mass: Sunday, 10:30 PM (July - October) Weekday Mass: 8:00am (Tuesday & Thursday)

Sacred Heart Church LaurensPastor ~ Father Francis Makwinja Weekday Mass : Friday, 8:00 AMWeekend Mass: Saturday, 5:00 PM (March - June)

Cluster Parishes:St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sioux RapidsWeekday Mass: Monday & Wednesday, 8:00 AMWeekend Mass: Sunday, 10:30 AM (March – June))

St. Louis Catholic Church, RoyalWeekday Mass: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 AMWeekend Mass: Sunday, 8:30 AM (March- June)

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Extension News

Garden ExtravaganzaGarden ExtravaganzaApril 7 – 5-7 PM – Exhibitors & Wine Tasting April 8 – 9 AM-1:30 PM – Exhibitors EXPO Center – Pocahontas Fairgrounds – 310 NE 1st Street Pocahontas, IA Welcome to the 11th Annual Garden Extravaganza featuring garden plants and décor for sale, door prizes, classes, workshops, and educational handouts. New this year will be a Friday Evening Session with wine tasting and appetizers. On Saturday, the Pocahontas Garden Club will serve coffee and rolls at 9:00 AM for a nominal charge and a maid-rite lunch from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM for $6.00. Saturday classes will be held in the Fair Office. Admission is only $3.00 at the door and children are free. There will be two informational presentations. At 9:15 AM our first speaker, Marlene Boernsen, of Boernsen Bees, Ocheyedan, IA will give a presentation on “beekeeping”. At 10:30 AM, Kevin Fehr, of Iowa Lakes Community College, Emmetsburg, IA will discuss “Pollinator Gardens”. Exhibitors this year include: Boernsen Bees-Ocheyedan; Farm &

Home-Pocahontas; Gilmore Garden Center-Gilmore City; Dick Gruber-Pocahontas; Iowa Lakes Community College-Emmetsburg; Kandi’s

Flower Market-Graettinger; Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce; Pocahontas County Conservation; Pocahontas Garden Club; Pocket of Posies-Albert City; Radon Mitigation-Ida Grove; Rhythm and Blooms Greenhouse-Pocahontas;

Rolfe Flower Bin-Rolfe; Rustic Rose-West Bend; Paul Stoddard-Humboldt; Talia Condon-Palmer & Aleah Wiese-Manson; Thistle Down

Nursery-Lake View, and Yard’n Garden-Auburn. The Pocahontas County Conservation will have a hands-on make and take workshop. This event is sponsored by the Pocahontas County Master Gardeners and I.S.U. Extension and Outreach, Pocahontas County. Come join us for a day of learning, excitement and fun!


Extension News

2017 Pocahontas County Fair 4-H/FFA Market Lamb Weigh InAll 4-H and FFA members that will exhibit market lambs at the 2017 Pocahontas County Fair must weigh their lambs on Saturday, April 8 from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds in Pocahontas. If you have any questions, please call 335-3103 or email [email protected]

2017 Pocahontas County Fair Books The 2017 Pocahontas County Fair Book is on line at www.extension.iastate.edu/pocahontas. Paper copies will not be mailed this year, but if you would like a paper copy of the fair book, you may pick one up at the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County Office during regular business hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Pocahontas County 4-H Summer Day Camps ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County is excited to offer several day camp opportunities for ALL youth in grades 4th – 12th! The day camps have a capacity of 16 children per day; our activities traditionally fill up quickly, so if you want your child to experience these awesome opportunities, get your registration with payment in as soon as possible with a deadline of May 15, 2017! Registration forms are available at the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County Office during regular office hours Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. If you have any questions regarding the day camps, please call 712-335-3103 or [email protected]. We have hired three summer educators to teach the day camps. Each educator is a certified teacher. We will also have at least one screened adult volunteer at each camp. The day camps available are: VET SCIENCE 1: Tue., Aug. 8. Just like people, pets need to be loved and cared for. This camp will teach about pet safety and proper food, exercise, and grooming to ensure a healthy, happy pet. Youth will visit with a local veterinarian. VET SCIENCE 2: Wed, Aug. 9 & Thur., Aug. 10. Do you like animals and science? Considered being a veterinarian? This camp is for you! Explore the basics of animal behavior and health and visit with a local veterinarian. Build knowledge about animal body systems and animal health through hands on learning. RACE IT, FLING IT, FLY IT: Thur., July 6. Cars, Airplanes, and Rockets! Youth will design, build and blast-off a variety of vehicles. They will complete experiments that demonstrate Newton’s Laws of motion, force, and gravity. Whether they are racing cars or launching rockets, the finish line is sure to be FUN! CRIME & SPY SCIENCE: Fri., Aug. 11. Future Crime Scene Investigators wanted! A criminal has left behind a number of clues that needs to be investigated. Learn how to take fingerprint samples, make tool molds, analyze footprints, and other crime scene techniques to help catch the crook. BIOGENETICS: Thur., June 29. DNA provides the blueprint for life and instructions to build a human ear or a banana! Learn about cells, DNA extraction, and more! DESIGN DECISIONS: Wed., July 26 & Thur., July 27. Have fun learning about home interior design. Start with wall and floor coverings, choose furnishings, experiment with floor plans, and have fun accessorizing creatively. PAINTING THROUGH THE AGES: Wed., June 28. Take a journey through the world of art, and make some pieces of your own! Each day in this series you’ll learn about an important art movement, discover artists from that time and spend time creating your own unique piece of art. VISUAL ARTS: Fri., June 23. Think outside the box! Think big – DREAM big! Visual Arts is a camp providing high quality, meaningful, creative experiences for children. We focus on engaging kids in the creative process all while having fun! PHOTOGRAPHY: Mon., June 5 & Tue., June 6. Learn the basics of digital photography. Bring your digital camera, media storage card, and extra batteries for your camera. Specialty techniques like Camera Obscura will also be included. ROBOTICS 1: Mon., June 12, Tue., June 13, & Wed., June 14. Learn to use laptops, Legos, and EV3 Mindstorm Robotics software to create Lego bots! During this three day camp, young engineers learn how to build and program a robot to accomplish many tasks and challenges. ROBOTICS 2: Thurs, June 15 & Fri, June 16. Take the next step in building and programming! This camp allows you to set your own pace while exploring EV3 robotics kits. Use problem solving skills to program robots with sensors to create advanced robotics designs. This camp is designed for youth who have participated in Robotics I, or have experience through their 4-H Club.


Extension News

Meet our Presenters!Mark your calendar for April 8, 2017 for the Pocahontas County Master Gardener 11th Annual Garden Extravaganza at the Expo Center located on the Pocahontas County Fairgrounds. The first presenter will be Marlene Boernsen from Boernsen Bees presenting on “Beekeeping”. In spring of 2004, our family took a beekeeping class through the ISU Extension program in Spencer. We were using honey as a sweetener in our home baked food and thought it only made sense to get our own bees. By that fall, I was making creamed honey for the Honey Producers booth at the Clay County Fair and have every year since. The past 2 summers I supplied a large amount of creamed honey for the Iowa State Fair. For several years, I have been helping to coordinate the beginner beekeeping classes in Northwest Iowa. I enjoy helping folks get started in managing the amazing honeybees. I am now partnered with another local beekeeper running around 100 colonies. This summer we are going to learn the art of queen rearing so our colonies can thrive with locally grown queens. The presentation on Beekeeping will be 9:15am-10:15am. The second presenter will be Kevin Fehr from 10:30am-11:30am. Kevin Fehr began his career at Iowa Lakes Community College in August 1994 doing landscaping and grounds work college wide. He helped with labs and with the student’s projects around campus. Eventually he began teaching full time and became the advisor for the Landscape & Turfgrass Technology Program. Currently Kevin is an Industry Training Programmer, working with area businesses for their training needs. He is also involved with the GROW Classes pertaining to plants, bees, and nature in general. Lining up day trips and continuing education classes are an exciting part of his duties. Working with plants and being outdoors and in nature is a passion Kevin has. He enjoys working with people and seeing their passion also grow for the “Green Industry.” Besides working with plants, Kevin enjoys spending time with his family.

Pocahontas County 4-H Competes in Storm LakeThe 4-H Apurture Robotics Club competed at the Buena Vista County Robotics Challenge on March 25. Placing in the top four spots were Pocahontas County 4-H’ers Noah Kuhn, Cael Samuelson, Daniel Foster, and Carter Moline. The 4-H Apurture Robotics Club, led by Sue Jarvis, uses Lego Mindstorm Robots to teach youth engineering skills to build their robots and program the robots. All children in 4th through 12th grade are welcome to join this club. For complete details contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County Office at 712-335-3103. Pictured: Cael Samuelson and Gauge Johnson working on their bots.


Yard and Garden: Caring for Hostas in SpringSpring is here, and hostas are a popular part of outdoor landscaping plans. They are easy to grow, but certain steps in planting and dividing them must be followed in order to ensure optimal performance, including watering and pest control. ISU Extension and Outreach horticulturists can help answer your questions about how to best handle hostas. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or [email protected]. When is the best time to divide hostas? Spring is the best time to divide hostas. Dig up the entire clump as soon as the leaves begin to emerge. (The emerging leaves are bullet-shaped and are often referred to as points or noses.) Carefully divide the clump into sections with a sharp knife. Each section should have at least two or three points (leaves) and a good portion of the crown and root system. Replant immediately. While spring is the best time to divide hostas, plants can be divided anytime from spring to late summer. Hostas divided in late summer should be mulched with several inches of straw, pine needles or other materials in late fall. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil during the winter months that could heave late summer divisions up out of the soil and damage or destroy them. What are the site requirements for hostas? Hostas are easy to grow when planted in favorable locations. The most important site requirements are light levels and soil conditions. Most hosta cultivars perform best in partial to full shade. A site that receives between two to four hours of direct sun per day is partial shade, while a site that receives less than two hours of direct sun per day is full shade. Most of the yellow and gold leafed hosta cultivars develop their best leaf color in areas that receive four to five hours of direct sun. Hostas prefer well-drained, fertile soils that contain high levels of organic matter. Soils that contain high levels of clay or sand can be improved by incorporating organic matter (compost, sphagnum peat moss, shredded oak leaves, etc.). In poorly drained sites, the best solution may be to construct a raised bed. Do hostas need to be watered during the growing season? For best performance, hostas need a consistent supply of moisture throughout the growing season. Dry conditions inhibit plant growth and may lead to scorching (browning) of leaf margins. To help conserve soil moisture, apply a 2- to 3-inch-layer of wood chips, shredded bark or other mulch around hostas. Also, water plants weekly during prolonged dry periods. Should I fertilize my hostas? Hostas do not require heavy fertilization. A single application of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, in spring as growth begins to emerge is usually sufficient. How do I control slugs on my hostas? Several strategies can be used to control slugs. Small numbers can be controlled by handpicking. Handpicking is best done at night with a flashlight as slugs are most active at night. Traps can also be used to control slugs. A trap can be a piece of wood or asphalt shingle. Place the object on the ground where slugs have been feeding. Lift up the trap after one to two days and destroy any slugs hiding beneath it. Shallow pans of beer also attract slugs. Sink the pans into the ground so the rim is even with the soil surface. Empty the pans at least twice a week. Pesticides (molluscicides) will likely be necessary to control large slug populations. Slug baits typically contain metaldehyde or ferric (iron) phosphate.

Extension News


Registration Open for Summer Camps Offered through Iowa 4-H ProgramIowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering several themed 4-H summer camps. These three- to six-day camp experiences offer Iowa youth the opportunity to meet other students from around the state who share their interests, while experiencing a high quality educational program. “Youth attending camp gain a new perspective and appreciation of natural resources in Iowa,” said Jacki Luckstead, 4-H camping and shooting sports program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Partnerships with Iowa State University bring rich curriculum and opportunities for each camper.” Financial assistance is available through the Iowa 4-H Foundation. Applications can be found on the foundation's website and are due to county extension offices by April 25, 2017. Youth do not need to be members in the Iowa 4-H program to attend, or to apply for financial

assistance. Youth who are from military families qualify for a $75 discount. 2017 Camp Offerings. June 9-11, there will be a Safety and Education in Shooting Sports camp for youth to develop skills in archery, air rifle, small bore, shotgun trap, muzzleloader and wildlife. An official hunter safety course field day will be provided by the Department of Natural Resources during the camp. Registration is $200. Youth interested in science and technology in grades 5-8 can participate in Drone Discovery Camp June 19-22, a hands-on learning adventure that will explore the science behind drones and how they are used to solve real-world problems. Registration is $350. Youth entering grades 5-8 can register for Spanish Immersion camp June 25-29. This camp, provided in partnership with Iowa State University World Languages & Cultures, will be an action-packed and culturally invigorating camp that teaches about the traditions, food, music and art of today’s Hispanic/Latino population, while building a strong base for future language learning. Registration is $400. In partnership with Iowa State University College of Business, Young Women in Business

Leadership camp will be offered July 9-14 through an application process. Young women accepted to this camping experience will participate at no cost. Participants will experience the Iowa State University campus, explore business majors, build leadership skills and make a positive impact on the local community by working on a real-world project for a nonprofit organization. This camp experience is open to girls entering grades 9-12. Youth entering grades 9-12 who have an interest in design and technology can enroll in Design Dimensions Camp, held July 9-14. Participants will learn how to create and manipulate structures and objects, use 3D printing, develop their own typeface, and much more. Registration is $495 for overnight camp and $345 for day camp. Additional information on grade ranges, costs and times is available on the Iowa 4-H website. Registration is open now, and each camp registration closes two weeks prior to its start date. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/content/2017-state-4-h-camp-information.

Extension News


Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey Shares Custom and Machinery Rental RatesSlight uptick in prices shown in survey of farmers and custom operators Performing custom work can be an additional source of income for farm operators around the state. For others, custom work is a full-time career. When labor is available, and another party has equipment, renting equipment for a short term is also a common practice. While only a small portion of Iowa farmland is 100 percent custom farmed, many farm operations rent equipment or hire out for one or two tasks that need to be completed on their farm each year. The 2017 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey canvassed 441 farmers, custom operators and farm managers from the state, putting together a guide for pricing custom machine work. Of those receiving the survey, 152 usable responses were received from Iowa farmers, custom operators and farm managers. Twenty-one percent of the respondents perform custom work, 13 percent hire work done, 41 percent indicated doing both, 1 percent indicated doing none and 25 percent did not indicate whether they perform or hire custom work. The publication, which can be found online at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Store as FM 1698 or on the Ag Decision Maker website as Information File A3-10, provides rates for custom work in the following categories: tillage, planting, drilling, seeding, fertilizer application, harvesting, drying and hauling grain, harvesting forages, complete custom farming, labor and both bin and machine rental. All rates include fuel, repairs, depreciation, interest, labor and all other machinery costs for the tractor and implement unless otherwise noted. The average rate and range for each machine work function were compiled into the survey as usual, as well as the median charge and number of responses for each category. For the survey, the average is calculated as the simple average of all responses. The median is the response that splits all the ordered responses (from smallest to largest) in half. The survey found there was an 8.5 percent price increase across all surveyed categories. When the categories with the 5 percent highest and lowest change were removed, the average increase in rate became 2.1 percent. “After an overall decline in rates in 2016, the slight rate increases in the 2017 survey are similar to a trend observed from 2012-2015,” said Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor and extension economist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “We appreciate the respondents to the survey, as the information available in the Custom Rate Survey is only possible due to their responses provided each year.” The reported rates are expected to be charged or paid in 2017, including fuel and labor. The average price for diesel fuel was assumed to be $2.15 per gallon. The values presented in the survey are intended only as a guide. There are many reasons the rate charged in a particular situation should be above or below the average. These include the timeliness with which operations are performed, quality and special features of the machine, operator skill, size and shape of fields, number of acres contracted and the condition of the crop for harvesting. The availability of custom operators in a given area will also affect rates. Any custom rate should cover the cost of operating the farm machinery as well as the operator’s labor. The Ag Decision Maker website offers a Decision Tool to help custom operators and other farmers estimate their own costs for specific machinery operations. Plastina and Ann Johanns, program specialist in economics with ISU Extension and Outreach, authored the publication. To join the 2018 Custom Rate Survey mailing list, send mail or e-mail address to: Alejandro Plastina, Iowa State University, Department of Economics, 478 E Heady Hall, 518 Farm House Lane, Ames, IA 50011-1054, 515-294-6160, [email protected].

Extension News

laurens, iowa april 5, 2017

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