September 24, 2013 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

October 4, 2013 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

October 16, 2013 Roadside, Forest, and Aquatic Pest Management, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00 am-11:30 am

October 22, 2013 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

October 24, 2013 Mosquito and Public Health Pest Management, Scott County Extension Office, 9 am-11:30 am

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley

As the heat index rises along the Potomac, it's easy to understand why ice cream was a favored treat at Mount Vernon, the home of America's first president. In addition to his presidency and military service, the life and legacy of George Washington is rooted in farming. An innovative steward of the land, Washington understood the importance of agriculture to America's prosperity.

The founding father of our country invented a 16-sided treading barn and tested crop rotation, fertilizers and livestock breeding to improve productivity.

American agriculture has changed dramatically since the late 18th century, from modern conservation practices to 21st century tools, technologies and techniques.

As one of two farmer-lawmakers in the U.S. Senate I work to make sure the voice of America's food producers are heard at the policymaking tables in Washington, D.C. It's more important than ever as fewer lawmakers in Congress represent a declining number of farmers and ranchers who grow the food to feed an increasing world population.

Consider a recent example of government cluelessness by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It disclosed personal information earlier this year of more than 80,0000 livestock and poultry producers to environmental activist groups, including information regarding an Iowan who owned just one pig and another who owned 12 horses. Washington needs to put away the sledgehammer when a hammer and nail would suffice. By introducing legislation to rein in the EPA from trampling on farmers' privacy rights, I'm giving regulators a piece of my mind to bring greater peace of mind to family farmers. Let's not forget the fruits of a farmer's labor takes away the pangs of hunger for people in our hometown and global communities. Once again, it's necessary to inject a dose of common sense to treat Washington nonsense.

Speaking of Washington nonsense, action on the $950 billion farm bill has stalled yet again despite a 12-month extension that Congress gave itself last year. Congress typically renews the farm bill every five or so years.

Over the years, the farm and food bill has snowballed in size and scope and today subsidizes farmers earning more than $1 million a year, including loopholes that allow off-site, non-farmers to qualify for farm payments. Taxpayers also now spend $80 billion annually on food assistance for nearly 1 in 7 Americans.  An all-time high 47 million people are receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as eligibility requirements have expanded. Many Americans likely don't realize 80 percent of the money authorized under the umbrella of the farm bill pays for nutrition programs like food stamps, not farm programs.

Considering the massive national debt, it's time to give "business-as-usual" a good scrubbing. Cracking down on abuses and wasteful spending within the food stamp program will protect nutrition assistance for those who struggle to put food on the table. Enacting responsible payment limits and enforceable payment caps on the farm commodity program will strengthen the credibility of the farm safety net.

During debate this summer on the Senate farm bill, I secured reforms that will limit payments to mega-sized operations and focus our limited resources on small- and medium-sized farmers. Specifically, my provisions would establish a cap of $50,000 on commodity program benefits and a $75,000 cap on marketing loan programs, including loan deficiency payments and marketing loan gains.  In a major win for reformers, nearly identical provisions were also included in the House bill.

Now the Senate farm bill must be reconciled with the House version before a final bill is sent to the President's desk. A number of key differences must be ironed out before we cross that finish line. The current farm bill expires at the end of September.

Faced with mounting debt and partisanship, President Washington reacted to criticism, saying, "I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world."  Farmers today who carve their livelihood from the land can appreciate President Washington's endorsement of this noble vocation.

Writing in a letter dated April 1788, "...our welfare and prosperity depend upon the cultivation of our lands and turning the produce of them to the best advantage."

American agriculture in the 21^st century needs farm policy that brings stability, accountability and certainty to farmers, consumers and the taxpaying public.  Blessed with the most abundant, affordable and safest food system in the world, federal policymakers should pass the new farm bill that will strengthen America's agrarian heritage and save money for taxpayers.

September 5, 2013

June "Dream for All" Rally for Immigration Reform Brings Together Hundreds to Call for Change

Nearly 300 clergy, elected officials, lay leaders, union members and concerned citizens joined together t at QCI 's "Dream for All" Rally in Rock Island this summer to call on Congress to pass humane, comprehensive immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship. Casa Guanajuato, World Relief Quad Cities, QC Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees and the QC Federation of Labor all lent their voices to this call to justice and action and 
we thank them for their support.

Leadership Actions and Events

Transportation and Jobs Equity

The next meeting of the Transportation Equity/100 Ready Workers Project will be Wednesday September 11th at 900 am at St Johns Lutheran Church - 4501 7th Avenue in Rock Island.

We continue to develop the 100 Ready Workers project, and have developed a survey tool to asses what skills potential participants may have an may need to work on. We are working with community groups and congregations to create a pipeline of workers who want to prepare themselves for jobs in construction and other fields.

If you or your organization is interested in helping mentor participants or if you have potential candidates for this job preparedness project, please contact us at the QCI office - 563.322.4910.  Join us in recruiting organizations that want to help identify potential candidates in the area for job preparedness training, including the HCCTP through BlackHawk College, and creating a criteria for participating in 100 Ready Workers project. More information will be rolled out this month on 100 Ready Workers....

Immigration

Health Equity

QCI Leadership Assembly meets Tuesday , Sept 10th at 6:30pm at St. Mary's Church in Davenport - 516 Fillmore.

Community Events

Welcome to Quad Cities Interfaith Newsletter

Quad Cities Interfaith

Dear Friend,

Over the weekend, the President asked Congress to vote to authorize taking military action in Syria in response to their government using chemical weapons against their own people. While I believe the use of chemical weapons against civilians is morally reprehensible and should be unequivocally condemned by the international community, we must exercise extreme caution in undertaking military action. I want to hear from you.

POLL: Click here to share your thoughts.

What do you think Congress and the President should do? I strongly believe the President must make the case to the American people for military action, and it's critical to me that I know where you stand.

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. Take a short poll now.

Your input is very important. I have been briefed by the White House but, like you, I still have many questions that must be answered before Congress votes on committing our military resources in the region. Hearing your thoughts is an important part of my deliberations. 

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

PS- Take 30 seconds and share your thoughts.