DES MOINES, IA (04/29/2015)(readMedia)-- Premium books and entry forms for competitive events at the 2015 Iowa State Fair will be available at iowastatefair.org beginning Friday, May 1. The Iowa State Fair "Fair Tour" will run August 13-23.

Premium books and entry forms can be accessed at www.iowastatefair.org/competition/categories. Entrants in competitive events may enter online or may submit their entry by mail. While most entries are due July 1, deadlines do vary by department. Check iowastatefair.org for specific deadlines. Fine arts and photography entrants in particular should note that their deadline is earlier than most other divisions as materials must be submitted by June 13 and 14, respectively.

The Iowa State Fair accepts entries in a variety of categories, including the largest Food Department of any state fair, the state's largest art show, one of the largest livestock shows in the world and Iowa's finest exhibits of agricultural commodities.

For more information regarding entry deadlines, competitions or the online entry system, contact the Competitive Events Department at 515/262-3111 ext. 207.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at www.iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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DES MOINES, IA (04/29/2015)(readMedia)-- Once again, Governor Branstad is out of step with what Iowan's believe. A recently released Public Policy Poll cites Iowans over whelming opposition to the Governor's decision to close two mental health facilities in Iowa.

"Governor Branstad and House Republicans have demonstrated a callous disregard for their constituents. Time and again this session, they have marched through with their own opinions and failed to listen to what Iowans truly want which is to make this state a better place to work, live and raise a family," said ISEA President Tammy Wawro. "Cutting public education in K-12 and higher education institutions and closing two mental health care facilities clearly illustrates they do not care about those who need our advocacy the most -- our students and our mentally fragile. Sixty-eight percent of Iowa voters do not support the closings and thousands more do not support cuts to public education. It is time Governor Branstad and the House Republicans listen to the Iowans they represent," added Wawro.

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The ISEA is a private, professional organization made up of over 34,000 educators who are dedicated to promoting and preserving public education for all Iowa students.

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the launch of two new private funds, known as Rural Business Investment Companies (RBICs), which make equity investments in rural businesses, helping them grow and create jobs. This announcement is part of USDA's ongoing efforts to help attract private sector capital to investment opportunities in rural America to help drive more economic growth in rural communities.

"These two new private funds will provide innovative small businesses throughout rural America access to the capital they need to grow and create jobs," Vilsack said. "At USDA, we are working hard to reenergize the rural economy, and we are enlisting more and more private sector partners to help achieve that goal. Rural Business Investment Companies will allow us to facilitate private investment in businesses working in bio-manufacturing, advanced energy production, local and regional food systems, improved farming technologies and other cutting-edge fields."

Innova Memphis and Meritus Kirchner Capital can now begin raising capital to constitute their funds. Meritus Kirchner Capital has set a goal of raising $100 million, while Innova Memphis has set a goal of raising $25 million for their respective funds. Once the funds have been raised, these companies will make equity investments in rural businesses with high-growth potential.

"We are very pleased to be working with USDA to fund innovative, early-stage startups in rural America," said Jan Bouten, partner at Innova Memphis. "This being our fourth fund, we will be able to hit the ground running and build on our strong track record in early-stage investing. We will work with partners such as Memphis Bioworks Foundation and Ag Innovation Development Group to build thriving innovation communities across the country."

"We are appreciative of the leadership Secretary Vilsack and USDA have shown by facilitating the creation of these new RBICs. The RBIC application process was rigorous, with USDA and the Farm Credit Administration participating in an extensive review of all aspects of our management team, track record, and investment strategy. This is a significant milestone because now we formally can begin the fundraising process," said Grady Vanderhoofven, partner at Meritus Kirchner Capital. "The capital we raise will be invested in exceptional growth-stage, agriculture-related and rural companies, which historically have had limited access to this kind of capital. By doing so, we will help create wealth, jobs, and opportunities in rural America."

The new funds announced today were formed under the USDA's Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP). USDA is utilizing RBIP to license funds to invest in enterprises that will create growth and job opportunities in rural areas, with an emphasis on smaller enterprises. Working through the USDA program enables licensed funds to raise capital from Farm Credit System banks and associations.

Last year, Secretary Vilsack announced the creation of the first new RBIC which has already begun investing in rural businesses with high-growth potential. The $10 billion Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund, also announced last year, facilitates private loans for job-creating rural infrastructure projects across the country.

These efforts are part of the Made in Rural America initiative, which was created by President Obama to help rural businesses and leaders take advantage of new investment opportunities and access new markets abroad. Secretary Vilsack and the White House Rural Council convened the Rural Opportunity Investment Conference last summer to attract additional investments to rural America by connecting major investors with rural business leaders, government officials, economic development experts and other partners.

Exposing The Health Industry's Big Secret

Imagine suffering chronic pain - say, in the form of headaches or migraines.

Happily, you've found a solution to the problem. It has been several months of losing focus, sleep and general interest in the things you used to like. You went to a doctor and he told you an NTI device, which addresses jowl clenching during sleep, will offer immediate relief. Or maybe your family doctor gave you a pain-relief prescription for your headaches.

"As doctors, we like to have answers for our patient's problems, but misdiagnosis is one of our biggest problems in this country when it comes to chronic pain," says Dr. Fred Abeles, author of the book "Break Away: The New Method for Treating Chronic Headaches, Migraines and TMJ Without Medication" (www.FredAbeles.com).

"We're the 'microwave' generation and we like our problems to be solved immediately. Our medical profession has responded and is always geared for quick fixes. In reality, treating only the symptoms, and not the root cause, can worsen your problem."

For one, too many of us ignore the basics of good health, Abeles says.

"A huge volume of health problems would be eliminated if only people learned more about nutrition, modified their diets and got regular exercise each week," he says. "Cardio three times a week and some strength training - along with a reasonably healthy diet - would help millions tremendously."

There are many doctors you may see to help with your headache pain, he says, such as ENTs, dentists, neurologists, chiropractors, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) specialists and many more. Ask questions. If a dentist suggests realigning your jaw, for example, you'll want to make sure a thorough physiological work-up and diagnosis has been completed first. Be discerning. Be informed.

"Most doctors really want to help, but sometimes they're wrong," he says. "You have to be your own best health advocate."

Abeles offers what he calls his The H.E.A.L. Formula™.

•  HELP yourself - take control of your outcome. Don't accept chronic pain as a life sentence and stop taking pills to mask symptoms. When you improve your health, the lives of those around you improve also. There's more love, happiness and fun for everyone.

•  EVERYTHING is connected. The teeth. The joints. The tendons. The ligaments. The jaw. The head. The neck. The muscles. They all have to work together in harmony to not produce pain.

•  ALIGN the jaw. Align the bite. When everything is aligned, the muscles are happy. And happy muscles do not create pain.

•  LEARN about and utilize the new methods for successfully treating chronic headaches, migraines and TMJ without medication.

"The best time to address your chronic pain and what's behind it is the first time you experience it," Abeles says. "But if you've endured many months or years of pain - perhaps masking it with prescription drugs - then the second best time to uncover the cause is right now."

About Dr. Fred Abeles

Dr. Fred Abeles is known as one of the most sought after TMJ experts in the United States (www.FredAbeles.com). He's famous for getting results where others have failed and getting those results without the use of surgery, needles or drugs. He is author of the new book "Break Away: The New Method for Treating Chronic Headaches, Migraines and TMJ Without Medication." Abeles is the Clinical Instructor and Regional Director for the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies - one of the most prestigious post-graduate teaching centers in the world today. Dr. Abeles has been featured on NBC and CBS, consults with leading dental manufacturers on the development of new dental products, been on the cover of the profession's biggest magazines and instructed dentists throughout the United States and Canada on state-of-the-art techniques for treating headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.