April 8 Issue

The Paper
Our Town, Our Paper!
Laur ens, Iowa
Vol. 9
No. 1
www.thepapernow.com
April 8, 2015
Local News
Pocahontas County 4-H Scholarship Winners Announced
Pocahontas County 4-H Youth Committee is proud to announce the winners of the 2015 Pocahontas County
4-H Scholarships. Ben Applegate, son of Terry and Trisha Applegate, Gilmore City; Sam Brinkman, son of Robert
and Joann Brinkman of Rolfe; Brooke Elbert, daughter of Troy and Jeanne Elbert, Pocahontas; and Dominic
Johnson, son of Leon and Gwen Johnson, Pocahontas were each awarded a $500 scholarship from the Pocahontas
County 4-H Endowment. The 4-H members will be awarded the scholarship to the college of their choice.
Congratulations to the 4-H’ers on their outstanding achievements throughout their 4-H career.
Picutred L to R: Brook Elbert, Dominic Johnson, Sam Brinkman
and Ben Applegate.
Biggest Little Paper In Town!
© Copyright My Laurens, Inc., 2010 All Rights Reserved.
1
Local News & Advertising
Garden Extravaganza April 11
You are invited to the Garden Extravaganza on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the Pocahontas Expo Center located at the
Pocahontas Fairgrounds from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Admission is only $3.00 at the door and children are free.
The Garden Show will feature local experts sharing their gardening expertise, businesses selling the latest in plant varieties
and garden décor, garden tips, and educational handouts. There will be drawings for door prizes throughout the day.
Coffee and rolls will be served at 9:00 AM for a nominal charge. Lunch will be served by the Pocahontas Garden Club for
$6.00 from 11:00-1:30 PM.
There will be two informational presentations. At 9:15 AM our first speaker, Salvage Sisters in Laurens, will give a
presentation on “decorating with junk in your garden”. At 10:30 AM, Pocahontas County Conservation will discuss shade
trees for the urban landscape.
Exhibitors this year include: Boernsen Bees-Ocheyedan; Faith & Floral-Pocahontas; Farm & Home-Pocahontas; From
Miry Clay Pottery-Dayton; Gilmore Garden Center-Gilmore City; Green Gables Greenhouse & Landscaping-West Bend;
Kandi’s Flower Market-Graettinger; Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce; Pocahontas County Conservation; Pocahontas
County Young Professionals; Pocahontas Garden Club; Pocket of Posies-Albert City; Radon Mitigation-Ida Grove; Rhythm
and Blooms Greenhouse-Pocahontas; Rolfe Flower Bin-Rolfe; Steve Sandberg-Humboldt; Thistle Down Nursery-Lake
View; and Yard ‘n Garden-Auburn. The Pocahontas County Conservation will have a hands-on make and take workshop
on wreaths.
This event is sponsored by the Pocahontas County Master
Gardeners and ISU Extension & Outreach. Come join us for a
day of learning, excitement and fun!
Jack Link’s is the global meat snacks leader and fastest-growing meat snack manufacturer worldwide. The
Jack Link’s brand represents a heritage of quality and consumer trust. Well known for its iconic “Messin’ With
Sasquatch” advertising campaign, Jack Link’s offers more than 100 premium meat snack products at retail
outlets in more than 40 countries. Check out JackLinks.com for more information on the brand.
JOB OPENINGS
2ND SHIFT OPERATIONS
PRODUCTION
Pre-employment drug screening
Climate controlled facility
Health, dental, vision available after 60 days for full time employees
401K available after 6 months
Company paid short-term disability and life insurance
Health and wellness incentive program
Excellent attendance, willingness to learn, work well with others, good
math skills, overtime when needed, able to be certified on pallet jack &
fork lift
Pick up application at:
Jack Links, Inc.
210 North 1st Street
Laurens, IA 50554
Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm
JOIN THE #1 MEAT SNACK TEAM
Our Town Our Paper!
2
Local News
Chad Elliott returns to the Fonda Arts
Center!
Already acclaimed as an award-winning
singer/songwriter, painter and sculpturer,
Chad has combined his talents to fulfill a
personal dream “Wilderman’s Treetop Tales”,
a book designed for ages 3-10 and containing
both heartwarming and giggle-worthy poetry
set to his original music in a companion
music album, and accompanied by Chad’s
own illustrations. In his whimsical style, and
inspired by his own three children, Chad
hopes this work will kindle a love for the arts
and the outdoors, and encourage the creativity
of children of all ages. This afternoon of
wild imagination is sure to inspire the whole
family!
Chad’s concert will take place at the Fonda Arts Center, 4th and Main Streets
in Fonda, on Sunday afternoon, April 19th beginning at 2 p.m.
Following the concert, Chad will have copies of both the book and the CD
available for purchase, signed by the artist himself!
All children will be
admitted free of charge;
adults will be asked to pay
$10 at the door. As always,
complimentary refreshments
and the promise of an
afternoon well spent!
Biggest Little Paper In Town!
The Paper
Published 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:
publisher@mylaurens.com
Publisher:
Rodney Johnson
Editor:
Amanda Tendal
Rights to Use Content: The Paper, its content, archived
materials, and our websites, are provided solely for
your personal, non-commercial use. The Paper, its
content, our websites and all the materials available on
our websites are the property of My Laurens, Inc., and
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Unless explicitly authorized by My Laurens, Inc., you
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For information about requesting permission to
reproduce or distribute materials from The Paper, please
contact My Laurens, Inc. at (712) 841-2684
or publisher@mylaurens.com.
3
Announcements & Advertising
Ready, Set, Retire!
Free workshops focused on pre-retirement planning
for those 50 + -- Saturday, April 11, 2015
9 a.m. to noon - Bioscience & Health Science Bldg,
1st Floor, Iowa Central Community College, Fort
Dodge.
Refreshments starting at 8:30 a.m. courtesy of
First American Bank, Fort Dodge.
For more information or to pre-register by April
8th - Call 515-574-1293.
HELP SUPPORT LAURENS-MARATHON SCHOOL
Grace Masonic Lodge in Laurens will host a fund-raiser lunch on Sunday, April 12 from
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Laurens-Marathon Community Schools
general fund. Meals will include a choice of hotdog or hamburger, chips, and a soft-drink for a
Let's Celebrate!!
Let's Celebrate "Nette"!! Jeanette Korrect, our mom
and community go-to gal is having a special birthday
this month! Please join us in celebrating!!!
When: Sunday, April 19, 2015 2-4:30 p.m.
Where: Laurens Golf and Country Club House
What: Cake, Ice Cream, Conversation and
Merriment Given by: The Korrect "kids", Steve,
Jerry, David and Suzy and families
No presents, just your presence is requested!
Thanks!!
Or...if you can't be there, send Jeanette a card to:
531 Bissell Street, Laurens, IA 50554.
freewill donation. Grace Lodge will match the total donation to the school 10% up to $250.
Enjoy the meal at Grace Lodge in Laurens, 323 W. Main Street—across
from the post office.
If you can’t attend, but you’d still like to donate, mail contributions to:
Grace Lodge
45640 150th Ave
Laurens, Iowa 50554
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135 N 3rd St, Laurens, IA 50554
(712) 841-6986
Relay for Life Kickoff!
Friday, April 10th
6 to 9 p.m.
at the Saloon.
Our Town Our Paper!
4
Announcements
Laurens Community Youth Group visits SkyZone!
The Laurens Community Youth Group made a recent visit to SKyZone Trampoline
Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Friday, March 27, 2015. There were 19 youth in
attendance for this fun day. The youth had a blast jumping on all the trampoline
areas including basketball, foam pit, dodgeball and bouncing off walls!
Weston Brazel doing the
Sky Slam!
Biggest Little Paper In Town!
Ethan Runneberg and Riley Oxenreider
bouncing off the walls!
5
Announcements
Roger is
retiring
April 17!
Please come join us
April 17 to help
celebrate Roger’s 31
years of service with
FCA.
Lunch will be served
APRIL 17, 2015
ROGER
NUEHRING’S
RETIREMENT
PARTY
Our Town Our Paper!
From 11-2 at the
Laurens FCA office.
FCA
400 Walnut Street
Laurens, IA 50554
6
Local News & At the Library
North Iowa Knights Release 2015 Schedule
By Ryan Schmidt-Voice Of The Knights
The North Iowa Knights released there 2015 schedule at practice Saturday and it sets up
to be a great year. With their home opener May 2nd VS The Northwest Iowa Bulldogs
7:30 p.m. kick-off only 33 days away the team is working hard to be ready. The schedule
also has the Knights playing a home game in Rockwell City July 11th VS The Des Moines
Blaze 5 p.m. kick-off. With four other home games in Pomeroy, May 16th VS Quad City,
May 23rd VS Sioux City Stampede, June 13th non conference VS Southern Minnesota
Warriors, and lastly July 18th VS The Kansas City Bulldogs.
All home games are $5 to get in and kids under 16 are Free.
The Knights will also be holding a Knight’s Meet & Great April 25th at the Knights
shelter next to Knights field. The public is encouraged to attend the Knights players and
staff will be grilling food and talking about the upcoming season. There will also be prizes
and tickets given-away from some of our great sponsors and autographs for all the kids
so plan on attending that FREE event. We thank all the local communities especially
Pomeroy, Rockwell City, and Pocahontas for there continued support of the Knights and
local athletes says GM/Player RJ Higgins.
At the Library
North Iowa Knights Schedule
April 25th-Knights Meet And GreetKnights Shelter/Field-5pm, Pomeroy.
May 2nd-VS North West Iowa
Bulldogs- 7:30pm, Pomeroy
May 9th-BYE
May 16th-VS Quad City Wolf Pack6pm, Pomeroy
May 23rd-VS Sioux City Stampede6pm, Pomeroy
May-30th-@ North West Iowa
Bulldogs-7pm, Auriela, Iowa
June 6th-BYE
June 13th-VS Southern Minnesota
Warriors-6pm, Pomeroy
June 20th-@ Omaha Stockmen-4pm,
Ralston, NE
June 27th-@ Lincoln Renegades-7pm,
Lincoln, NE
July 4th-BYE
July 11th-VS Des Moines Blaze-5pm,
Rockwell City
July 18th-VS Kansas City Bulldogs6pm, Pomeroy
July 25th-1st Round MFA Playoffs
August 1st-Semifinals MFA
August 8th-MFA Championship
with Glenda Mulder
April 8, 2015
As I’m writing this, Mrs. Tate and some of her Laurens-Marathon middle school students are spending their Easter weekend in
Washington D.C. Next Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. they will present a program about their experiences. I think it’s interesting to hear
which of the sites made the most impact on the students and to see the pictures they choose to share.
New novels at the Library this week include: Normal by Graeme Cameron, At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen (author of Water for
Elephants), Hush, Hush by Laura Lipman, Miracle at Augusta by James Patterson, Angel Court Affair by Anne Perry, Lacy Eye by Jessica
Treadway and The Stranger (loved it!) by Harlan Coben (Audiobook too!)
I’ve started something new at home. I decided to multitask and work out my mind and body at the same time. I checked out the
large print version of this month’s book club choice, “Killing Lincoln”, and have been reading it for a half hour a night on our exercise
bike. The first night I wasn’t so into it because they were kind of setting the scene and talking about the battles, (and I hadn’t been on
the bike for a while either, so that may have had something to do with it!) but after that it’s moving right along. Grab a book and join
our discussion Monday, April 27. You can just read it sitting in your chair if you’d rather!
Event Calendar
Biggest Little Paper In Town!
• L-M DC Trip Travelogue Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m.
• Tot Time each Monday at 10 a.m.
• Tell Me a Yarn Mondays 5-7 p.m.
• Book Club is 4th Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
• Writers Free for All is 3rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
• Paper Crafting 1st Tuesday 5-8ish p.m.
• Card Making 4th Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
7
Announcements & Advertising
For Sale: 2005 Harley
Road King Custom (FLHRSI)
Fuel injected, 5-speed with cruise and some added chrome.
Rinehart mufflers and Mustang Seat (original parts go with
the bike). HD back rest and rear travel pack. Less than 7,100
easy miles. Clean and ready to roll. Old School look in Black
Cherry with wire/spoke wheels. Always stored inside, never
dropped, new battery. Original owner—purchased from
Ernie Williams in Algona. Asking $10,900.
Call Rod at (712) 450-4606 (cell)
or 1-800-831-3309 (work/weekdays 9a.m. to 5p.m.).
Special for Friday
night, April 10th.
Grilled Chicken
Breast Dinner with
potato and a
vegetable.
Thank You!
Thank you to Autumm Brazel for the
Easter Basket I won at the Easter Egg Hunt
on Saturday!
Kable Graff
Laurens Women's
Club to Meet
Our Town Our Paper!
The Laurens Women’s Club will meet
Friday, April 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the
Laurens Public Library. The program
will be “All You Ever Wanted to Know
About American Painters and Then Some
More” presented by Grace Hertz and
Jackie Stelter. Members of the serving
committee will be Marcia Leu and Jan
Hersom. Members are to note the change
in location from the previously announced
meeting place.
8
Local News & Advertising
COME WORK FOR US AT
FISHER HYDRAULICS
IN LAURENS, IOWA
Fisher Hydraulics in Laurens, IA is
currently accepting applications for the
following positions;
Assemblers/Machinists/Painter
We are seeking dependable and motivated applicants.
Experience is preferred. We are willing to train right
applicants. Come work in a team oriented and friendly
atmosphere with state of the art equipment. Shift premium is
paid during training and overtime is available. Pay increases
available after 90 days and every 6 months thereafter to top of
pay scale.
A Pre-employment Drug Screen is required. Fisher
Hydraulics is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering
expanded benefits that include Competitive Wages, Medical,
Dental, Flexible Spending Accounts, STD/LTD, and Life
Insurance Plans, 401K Plan, paid Personal & Vacation days, &
paid Holidays.
To apply: Call 712-845-2634 ext. 113, during the hours of
7:00 am-4:30 pm, Mon.-Thurs. and speak with Diane. Or you
may stop in and complete an application on site.
Bridal Shower
HOW HIGH CAN YOU JUMP?
In 2013 Hunter Storms who is the son of
Ben and Holly Storms is pictured here at the
Laurens swimming pool with quite the spring
in his step!
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS may be sent to:
Laurens Pool Project
c/o City of Laurens
272 North 3rd Street
Laurens, IA 50554
A Bridal Shower for Kirsten Youngberg, daughter of
Shel and Marianne Youngberg of Pocahontas will be
held at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Albert
City, Iowa, on April 18, 2015, at 10 AM.
Bridal
Shower
Biggest Little Paper In Town!
Like us on facebook:
Laurens Pool Project
www.laurens-ia.com
9
Local News
The Origin Of Scouting
By: James R. (Jim) Dean, Retired Boy Scouts of America
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Scouting’s interesting/unique history dates back to the early 1900’s in South
Africa. Robert Baden-Powell, a young British Army officer, was stationed in
remote South Africa. His assignment was to make the new English soldiers
proficient at the skills of wilderness living, tracking, and trailing. Powell
found that his fresh recruits were so “citified” that they could not stand or
acclimate to the vigorous life of the outdoors. Often, Powell would recall his
own youth, and his attraction to outdoor living and nature. He would recall
tracking tigers and wild boar in the jungle; hunting wild rhinos, elephants,
and buffalo, in the Sudan and West Africa.
While pondering his own training, he developed a series of games and
activities designed to make his men self-reliant, physically strong, and have the
ability to live with comfort while in the wilderness. Powell’s men delighted in
the games and quickly mastered the various skills. These ideas soon found their way back to England. There, boys
of youthful age picked it up, and started to practice the techniques of Scouting for themselves.
Upon the return of General Baden-Powell to England, he was persuaded to develop his idea as a great game
for boys. In 1907, the first group of 20 boys were taken to camp on the small Brown Sea Island, off the coast
of England, for a trial run of his newly developed concept. That, was the first Boy Scout Camp. And finally, in
1908, Robert Baden-Powell published the first Boy Scout Handbook, Scouting for Boys.
THE WORLD OF BOY SCOUTS
Scouting is part of a world-wide movement. Just think that while you are having a patrol meeting, taking a
hike or discovering nature’s endless array of mysteries, scouts in other countries all around the world may be doing
the same thing. Scouts can be found throughout the world...in nearly every country...from China to South Africa,
from Canada to Argentina, or from Iceland to Australia.
Every four years, thousands of Scouts meet at a World Boy Scout Jamboree. Scouts from all over the world will
share with other scouts their favorite games and their local camping techniques.
DID YOU KNOW
• Through 12/94 92,000,000 youth have become Scouting alumni
• Through 7/94 36% of West Point Cadets were Scouts
• Through 2012, over 2,000,000 youth have become Eagle Scouts
Our Town Our Paper!
10
Church
Grace Lutheran
Church Marathon,
Our Savior’s
Lutheran Church
Albert City & St
John Lutheran
Church Rural
Albert City
Pastor John Mayer
Sundays 9 a.m. Worship Service @ Grace
Lutheran Church - Marathon
Sundays 10:30 a.m. Worship @ Our
Savior's Lutheran Church - Albert City
This Week at
Laurens United
Methodist Church
Wed., April 8th:
Summer Sack Lunch Committee meeting
@ 7 p.m.
Finance Committee meeting @ 8 p.m.
Fri., April 10th:
NO Men’s Bible Study
Sun., April 12th:
Sunday School @ 9:10 a.m.
Fellowship @ 9:30 a.m.
Worship @ 10:30 a.m.
Choir performs
Youth Group(JH) meets here from 6-8 p.m.
Mon., April 13th:
Girl Scouts meet here from 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
(K-5th) & 5 p.m.-6 p.m.(6th-8th)
This Week at
Bethany Lutheran
Sunday: April 12, 2015
Second Sunday of Easter
9:00 AM ~ SS & Confirmation
9:15 AM ~ Coffee Fellowship
9:30 AM ~ Adult SS
10:30 AM ~ Worship
6:00 PM ~ Youth Group (JH) at UMC
Tuesday: April 14, 2015
10:00 AM ~ Coffee w/Pastor
7:00 PM ~ Hand Bell Rehearsal
Wednesday: April 15, 2015
5:00 PM ~ Christian Ed/Youth Mtg.
6:00 PM ~ 125th Steering Committee Mtg.
7:00 PM ~ Council Mtg. at West Iowa Bank
Worship, Love, Accept~Together
in Christ’s Name
Sundays 5:30 p.m. @ St John Lutheran
Church Rural - Albert City
This Week at First
Christian Church
Pastor Rev. Rita Cordell
Wednesday, April 8
7:30 p.m. - Lydia Group
Thursday, April 9
2 p.m. - Coffee with Pastor
Friday, April 10
7 p.m. - AA
Sunday, April 12
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages
9:30 a.m. - Elder’s Meeting
10:30 a.m. - Worship
4 p.m. - Service at Laurens Care Center,
Elder - Marilyn Williams
6-8 p.m. - Jr. High Youth Group at United
Methodist Church
Biggest Little Paper In Town!
Sacred Heart Church Laurens
Pastor ~ Father Francis Makwinja Weekday Mass : Friday, 8:00 AM
Weekend Mass: Saturday, 5:00 PM (March - June)
Cluster Parishes:
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sioux Rapids
Weekday Mass: Monday & Wednesday, 8:00 AM
Weekend Mass: Sunday, 10:30 AM (March – June))
St. Louis Catholic Church, Royal
Weekday Mass: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 AM
Weekend Mass: Sunday, 8:30 AM (March- June)
11
Extension News
2015 Pocahontas
County Fair
Agriculture Literacy is Focus of Local
Grants
Once again the Pocahontas County Fair
invites all 4-H and FFA members in
4th -12th grade in neighboring counties
(Kossuth, Palo Alto, Clay, Buena Vista,
Sac, Calhoun, Webster, and Humboldt) to
exhibit livestock at the 2015 Pocahontas
County Fair. Beef, Swine, Sheep, Horse,
Rabbit, Poultry, Dog and Pets are all
welcome to exhibit! Market beef must have
been identified no later than February 1
and all other livestock must be identified in
your home county no later than May 15.
The fair entry deadline is Friday, June 19,
2015. NO late entries will be accepted. A
change in entry for out of county horses
this year is that they too must make entry
by June 19! The complete fair book will be
available online April 1 at www.extension.
iastate.edu/pocahontas. If you have any
questions or need help with your entry
please contact the Pocahontas County ISU
Extension and Outreach Office at 712-3353103 or email lzeman@iastate.edu
The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) recently awarded 22 local
projects throughout Iowa funding to help develop an understanding of agriculture
with students and adults.
The Agriculture in the Classroom Local Support Grants are designed to help
communities initiate new projects or expand existing projects that promote
agriculture literacy through education and outreach.
Planned projects include garden curriculum, 4th grade agriculture days,
FarmChat programs, local food education, learning about Iowa commodities,
and many more. Most of the programs rely on several partner organizations
cooperating to deliver the educational program.
“Our focus is to provide accurate facts and information on Iowa agriculture to
the next generation and educate them on where their food comes from,” said grant
recipient Brenda Adams of North Central Iowa Agriculture in the Classroom.
Poweshiek County Farm Bureau was also awarded one of the grants. “It is a
goal of ours to increase our efforts in the agriculture literacy movement,” said
Lauren Haglund. “We plan to expose youth to various agriculture oriented careers
allowing them to understand how they could become involved in the industry.”
Grants can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources,
guest speakers, outreach programs, fieldtrips, and other projects. Organizations
that have agriculture education as a part of their mission or purpose were eligible
to apply.
“[We hope] to create opportunities for all youth through collaboration with
community partners and to create positive learning environments,” said Caleb
Carver a grant recipient from Marshall County Extension and Outreach.
Recipient organizations include:
Buchanan County ISU Extension and Outreach
Cherokee County Farm Bureau
East Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau
Emmet County Extension - 4-H
Fremont County Farm Bureau
Guthrie Center Tigers FFA Chapter
Healthy Harvest of North Iowa
Iowa State University Block and Bridle Club
Iowa State University Corn Growers Association
Iowa State University Extension & Outreach
Iowa State University Johnson County Extension and Outreach
Jasper County Farm Bureau
Lucas County Extension
Marshall County Extension and Outreach: 4-H and Youth Development
North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom
Pocahontas County ISU Extension and Outreach
Poweshiek County ISU Extension
Woodbury County Extension
Wright County Farm Bureau
For more information on grants and other IALF programs visit:
12
www.iowaagliteracy.org.
“LAST” Chance
Private Pesticide
Applicator Training
Recertification
Course Available
Iowa State University Extension
and Outreach, Pocahontas County
will be offering the “LAST” Chance
private pesticide applicator continuing
instructional course on Wednesday, April
15 at 9:30–11:30 a.m. and April 15,
1–3 p.m. To register, call (712) 335-3103.
Our Town Our Paper!
Extension News
Iowa Grant Workshop to Support Local Foods Is April 22
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Is Partnering with USDA to Offer Iowa Workshop
Grant-writing workshops designed to help potential applicants understand, develop and submit their federal grant
applications for the Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program are being offered in every U.S. state this spring
through a unique collaboration among federal, state and regional partners. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is
partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service and National Institute for Food and
Agriculture to conduct workshops in Iowa. This effort is known as the Agricultural Marketing Service Technical Assistance
Project.
Register for the Iowa event to be held in Ames April 22 at the Hansen Agriculture Learning Center, 2615 Mortenson
Road, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The grant workshop is one of two professional development options offered during the
Regional Food Systems Working Group spring meeting.
"The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program is a key to USDA's efforts to revitalize rural economies by
supporting local and regional food systems," said AMS Administrator Anne Alonzo. "The grant workshops will ensure that
more communities and businesses across the country can participate in the competitive grant process with proposals that
create real economic opportunities and help meet the growing demand for locally and regionally produced food."
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is coordinating the workshops through the Regional Rural Development
Centers, and Cooperative Extension System educators will provide training in all regions of the country. NIFA and all
partners will conduct outreach to raise awareness of AMS grant opportunities and increase participation in the programs.
The AMS and NIFA collaborative effort for this innovative national training project will be directed by Stephan J. Goetz of
the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development based at Penn State.
“In the history of the Regional Rural Development Centers this is an unprecedented collaboration in terms of the scope
and reach of a single project,” said Goetz. “We are pleased to be a part of this partnership effort and expect that it may
become a model for efficient delivery of federal educational programs in the future.”
A list of upcoming grant workshop dates and locations can be found at http://www.amsta.net. More workshops will be
added soon, and the state representatives listed on the website can be contacted for additional information about upcoming
workshops. Some of the workshop sessions will be recorded and available for online viewing for those not able to attend in
person.
With $30 million authorized annually by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill) through fiscal year 2018, AMS'
Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program awards competitive grants to develop new market opportunities for
farm and ranch operations serving local and regional markets. The Farmers' Market Promotion Program supports farmers''
markets and other direct producer-to-consumer activities, while the Local Food Promotion Program supports enterprises
that aggregate, store, distribute and process local and regional food.
These investments are part of USDA's commitment to strengthening local and regional food systems through projects
that recruit and train farmers, expand economic opportunities, and increase access to healthy foods. USDA's Know Your
Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative coordinates USDA's support for local and regional food systems. Projects aligned with
these efforts can be found on the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass. For more information on AMS visit www.
ams.usda.gov, and for more on NIFA visit www.nifa.usda.gov.
Biggest Little Paper In Town!
13
Extension News
Yard and Garden: Your Own Asparagus Patch
It's the time of year when wild asparagus hunters are taking to roadside
ditches and railway right-of-ways in search of this spring delicacy
-– a hunt that is rivaled only by the woodland hikes to find morel
mushrooms. Coming home with a bounty of fresh greens is a treasure
to be savored every spring. For the less adventurous and gardeners that
want a "patch" all their own, this is also a good time to plan, purchase
and plant asparagus in the home garden. Horticulturists with Iowa State
University Extension and Outreach recommend asparagus varieties for
Iowa gardens and share how to properly plant and harvest a home patch
of asparagus. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU
Hortline at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu.
What would be a good planting site for asparagus? Carefully
consider possible planting sites, as asparagus is a perennial crop. A wellmaintained asparagus planting may be productive for 15 to 20 years.
Asparagus performs best in well-drained soils in full sun. Planting sites should receive at least six hours of direct sun
each day. Avoid shady sites near large trees and buildings. Raised beds are a good planting option for gardeners with poorly
drained soils.
What are some good asparagus varieties for the home garden? Asparagus is dioecious. Dioecious plants produce
separate male and female plants. Male asparagus plants live longer and are more productive than female plants. Excellent
all-male asparagus varieties (cultivars) for the home garden include ‘Jersey Giant,’ ‘Jersey Knight,’ ‘Jersey King,’ and ‘Jersey
Supreme.’ ‘Mary Washington’ and ‘Martha Washington’ are good standard asparagus cultivars. (A planting of ‘Mary
Washington’ or ‘Martha Washington’ will include both male and female plants.) ‘Purple Passion’ is a distinctive cultivar
with purple shears.
When is the best time to plant asparagus? The best way to establish an asparagus planting is to plant one-year-old
crowns. Asparagus crowns can be purchased at garden centers and mail-order nurseries. Early spring (April to early May) is
the best time to plant asparagus in Iowa.
How do you plant asparagus? Asparagus crowns should be planted in shallow trenches or furrows. The planting depth
depends on the soil type. Asparagus crowns should be planted eight to 10 inches deep in light, sandy soils, but only six
inches deep in heavier soils. Space crowns 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are four to five feet apart. Place asparagus
crowns in the bottom of the furrow (buds pointing upward). Spread out the roots of the asparagus plants. After planting,
completely fill the trench with soil. (For many years, it has been a common practice to cover the asparagus crowns with two
inches of soil and gradually fill the trench as the asparagus grows. However, research has found the gradual filling of the
furrow is unnecessary.)
After planting asparagus, when can I begin to harvest spears? Asparagus plants should be allowed to become well
established before any spears are harvested. No spears should be harvested during the first growing season. Asparagus can
be harvested over a three to four week period during its second growing season. In following years, asparagus plantings can
be harvested until early to mid-June. Harvest asparagus by cutting or snapping the spears when they reach a height of six to
eight inches.
Our Town Our Paper!
14
LMPC Minutes
March 26, 2015
The Utility Board of Trustees of Laurens, Iowa met in regular session at the Municipal Building, 272 N. Third Street,
Laurens, Iowa, at 11:30 a.m. on the above date. Present were Trustees Richard Main, Ben Storms and Jerry Runneberg.
Also present was General Manager Chad Cleveland.
The agenda for the March 26, 2015 meeting stands approved as presented.
The minutes of the February 23, 2015 meeting stands approved as presented.
Motion by Trustee Runneberg and seconded by Trustee Storms to approve the list of bills for February 2015 in the
amount of $494,882.09. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
A & M Laundry
AFLAC
Alliant Energy
Alliant Energy
Aramark
Auto Body Clinic
Avesis Third Party Administrators
B & K Embroidery
Big 10 Network
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Buena Vista Stationery
Century Link
Century Link
Cinnamon Mueller
Cleveland, Chad
Consortia Consulting
Department of Energy
Employee Benefit Systems
Employee Benefit Systems
Fox Sports North
General Fire & Safety Equipment
Hazen, Aaron & Tiffany
Hearst Television
Henningsen, Kevin
Horse Tech
ICMA Retirement
Internal Revenue Service
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Iowa Network Services
Iowa Department of Revenue
Iowa Public Employees Retirement System
Treasurer, State of Iowa
Treasurer, State of Iowa
J.T. Services
KTIV-TV
Laurens, City of
Laurens Food Pride
Laurens House of Print
Laurens-Marathon After Prom
Laurens Municipal Power & Communications
Laurens Municipal Utilities
Laurens Municipal Utilities
Laurens Plumbing/Hwy 10 Hardware
Laurens State Bank
Laurens Sun
Library of Congress
Long Lines
Long Lines
Mid American Energy
Biggest Little Paper In Town!
Floor Mats
Insurance Premiums
Natural Gas
Capacity Assignment Costs
Floor Mats
Van Seat
Insurance Premiums
Shirt w/Embroidery
Programming Fees
Insurance Premiums
Supplies
Directory Listings
Transport Fees
Consulting Fees
Meeting Expenses
Consulting Fees
WAPA Power Bill
Self-Funding
Self-Funding Administration
Programming Fees
Fire Alarm Inspection
Refund
Programming Fees
Street Light Supplies
Shipping Fees
Employee Contributions
Federal/FICA Taxes
Electric & Telecom Dues
Communication Services
Property Taxes
IPERS Withholding
Iowa Withholding Tax
Iowa Sales Tax
Pen Cell Enclosure
Programming Fees
February Billing
Supplies
Supplies
Donation
Communications Bill/Postage
Conservation/Refunds
Utilities
Supplies
Investments
Publications
Cable TV Fees
Communication Services
Long Distance Fees
Neal 4 Operations
$
52.64
$
227.40
$
208.30
$
9,120.49
$
194.02
$
160.50
$
93.30
$
28.89
$
642.22
$
9,018.09
$
220.43
$
36.46
$
657.23
$
684.00
$
306.10
$
750.00
$ 44,497.52
$
63.14
$
240.00
$
1,682.38
$
450.00
$
81.34
$
850.57
$
168.87
$
9.74
$
1,000.00
$
7,497.06
$
4,553.00
$
500.60
$
67.17
$
4,437.89
$
1,307.00
$
9,462.00
$
827.51
$
705.50
$ 81,185.50
$
27.81
$
498.09
$
300.00
$
229.19
$
2,927.46
$
83.53
$
298.33
$ 200,000.00
$
25.00
$
67.00
$
3,321.43
$
1,132.91
$ 30,000.00
15
LMPC Minutes
Music Choice
Programming Fees
National Cable Television Cooperative
Programming Fees
Neu Star, Inc.
Telephone Fees
Newgard Auto Parts & Supply
Supplies
Nexstar Broadcasting
Programming Fees
North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Assn. NIMECA Power Bill/Legal Fees
Northwest Communications
Transport Fees
Payroll
Salaried, Hourly & Overtime
Perrenot, Scott & Selina
Refund
Pioneer Teletechnologies
Internet Fees
PLIC – SBD Grand Island
Insurance Premiums
Pocahontas Community Hospital
Testing
Post Master
Postage
Pro Cooperative
Fuel
R.B. Lumber Company
Supplies
RFD TV
Programming Fees
Rovi Guides
Programming Fees
Secure Shred Solutions
Paper Shredding
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Programming Fees
Spencer Municipal Utilities
Programming/Transport Fees
Stuart C. Irby Company
Supplies
Tulsat – Nebraska
Equipment Maintenance
TV Guide Networks
Programming Fees
Unity Point Clinic-Occupational Medicine
Testing
Van Wert, Inc.
Electric Meters
Verizon Wireless
Wireless Service
Zcorum
Modem Provisioning
Total
$
92.00
$ 14,879.40
$
589.11
$
52.37
$
1,535.50
$ 12,786.17
$
722.56
$ 20,531.61
$
14.12
$
1,185.00
$
576.21
$
34.75
$
528.60
$
247.86
$
37.99
$
20.69
$
591.90
$
24.00
$
858.95
$
1,773.26
$
100.59
$
433.25
$
593.99
$
30.00
$ 15,210.05
$
268.11
$
266.44
$ 494,882.09
The Trustees reviewed the Utility Funds Report. No specific action was taken.
Discussion was held on how the Utility would handle things if a customer wanted to connect wind or solar powered
generator(s) to our electric distribution system. The General Manager presented the Board with Interconnection
Standards for Customer-Owned Distributed Generation. These standards were put together by the Iowa Association of
Municipal Utilities and Ahlers Law Firm. The Board directed the General Manager to utilize these standards if a customer
wants to interconnect their distributed generation facility with our Electric distribution system.
The General Manager also presented the Board with an Interconnection Agreement for Customer-Owned Distributed
Generation. This agreement was also put together by Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities and Ahlers Law Firm. The
Board directed the General Manager to utilize this agreement if a customer wants to interconnect their distributed
generation facility with our Electric distribution system.
Motion by Trustee Storms and seconded by Trustee Runneberg to approve the proposed Scheduling Agreement between
North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association (NIMECA) and Laurens Municipal Light and Power Plant. Ayes:
All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Trustee Runneberg and seconded by Trustee Storms to approve the proposed Service Rules of the Laurens
Municipal Electric Utility. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on labor and equipment rates for the Electric and Communications Utilities. No specific action was
taken.
Discussion was held on the proposed Master Service Agreement between Pioneer Teletechnologies and Laurens
Municipal Communications Utility. No specific action was taken.
Discussion was held on the New Home Incentive Program and the Energy Efficiency Rebate Program. It was determined
by the Board that if the first owner and occupant of a new all electric single family residence installs a geothermal heat
pump with a minimum EER of 15, then that customer would be eligible for the New Home Incentive as well as the Energy
Efficiency Rebate for that geothermal heat pump. No other rebates are eligible.
There being no further business, on motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Richard Main
Chairman, Board of Trustees
ATTEST:
Our Town Our Paper!
Chad Cleveland
Secretary, Board of Trustees
16