25 Apr 2012

Jobs and Rural Development should be Farm Bill Priority

By Elisha Smith

By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

On Wednesday, April 25th, the Senate Agriculture Committee begins considering amendments to their draft Farm Bill proposal. When they do, they should make investment in creating genuine opportunities for rural Americans and their communities a priority. Unfortunately, their initial proposal does the opposite.

This proposal increases farm program and crop insurance subsidies for the nation's largest farms and wealthiest landowners, but slashes investment in rural small business development and value-added agriculture. In fact, it makes no investment in rural development whatsoever. We can, we must do better than this.

In today's economy, it is more important than ever that Congress make wise choices. Under-investing in our future while over-subsidizing the rich and powerful is not a priority that reflects the common good. Under current and proposed federal farm policy, if one corporation farmed my entire home state of Iowa, the federal government would pay 60 percent of its crop insurance premiums on every acre, every year, even in times of record profits.

The higher crop prices rise, the higher subsidies for crop insurance premiums rise. They have ballooned to one and one half times their cost just two years ago - higher than all other farm programs. And with no effective cap on how much one large operation can reap, these premiums simply become subsidies that mega-farms use to drive smaller family farms out of business.

We face a simple choice, either lavish subsidies on mega-farms, or, invest in rural America's future. The best choice is obvious.

25 Apr 2012

Make a Fresh Start Playing by Your Rules

By Ginny Grimsley
Expert Offers Tips for Living True to Yourself

What is the No. 1 regret of hospice patients in their dying days?

"They wished they would have lived life the way they wanted to, not the way others wanted them to," says Kathie Truitt, author of The Hillbilly Debutante Café (www.hillbillydebutante.blogspot.com), quoting an article by former palliative care worker Bronnie Ware.

Truitt changed her life by necessity after a devastating series of events led to the loss of her home and career. Like many Americans who lost it all in the recent recession, Truitt decided to go about things differently the second time around.

"I got rid of the socialite sweater sets, the business suits and pumps, which were not me, and went to what is me - vintage dresses and cowboy boots," she says. "I live in the Washington, D.C., area because I have too. But I don't have to conform to how other people look, dress and behave here. I surround myself with the things I like; I have a country-style house, I drive a pickup, and, once a month, I take a ride out to one of the places featured in Southern Living magazine."

You don't have to have a lot of money to live a life truer to your spirit. Truitt offers some suggestions:

• Make location a state of mind. Does your heart yearn to be somewhere else? You're in Kansas, but you long to live on the beach, or you're in the city but you're a country person, like Truitt. If you can't follow your heart, bring that place to you. If you love all things Paris, for instance, decorate a room or your whole home Parisian style. Instead of going to the grocery store once a week, find a market and stop in every day for fresh food, the way the French do. Ride a bicycle; put a picture of the Eiffel Tower on your desk at work; eat lunch al fresco. Take a French class and maybe you'll meet some like-minded friends.

• Turn your passion into a career. You don't have to give up your day job to pursue a career doing what gratifies and satisfies you. If you love playing music, set aside time to practice and write songs. Pursue opportunities to play at local events; create video recordings and upload them to YouTube (it worked for Justin Bieber!); offer to perform at your place of worship. Whether you dream of writing a novel, designing jewelry or being a race car driver, working at it even part-time will help you feel fulfilled.

• Take the plunge and start your own business. In 2011, entrepreneurs started 543,000 new businesses each month, on average, among the highest startup rates in 16 years, according to the most recent Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity. With all the tax breaks and incentives being offered to small businesses now, it's a good time to open that restaurant you always wanted, or launch that graphics design studio. You'll never know until you try!

As for Truitt, she would love to be back home in El Dorado Springs, Mo. Since she can't be there, she wrote a novel set in the small, southern town, which is struggling financially. She hopes to fan interest in tourists visiting the town to meet the business owners described in her book, and see the sights. To that end, she's also organizing an Antique & Book Festival there on April 14, preceded by a Hillbilly Debutante ball - featuring vintage prom dresses and plaid tuxes - the night before.

"There are many ways to live your dreams," Truitt says. "You're limited only by your imagination. I don't want to be that person looking back on my life and regretting that I lived it by someone else's rules."

About Kathie Truitt

Kathie Truitt is a former radio personality and speaker in the South, where she was crowned Mrs. Missouri America. She's the author of False Victim, a memoir about the nightmare of events that forced her from her home. She sells vintage-style clothing, accessories and jewelry at www.hillbillydebutante.blogspot.com.

25 Apr 2012

Downtown Cleanup Day

By Kyle Carter

What: Annual Downtown Cleanup Day

Where: Downtown Davenport and Bettendorf IA

Date: Friday, April 27

Time: Davenport 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Bettendorf- 8 a.m.- 11 a.m.

 

Davenport contact:
Jason Gilliland
Director of Events, Downtown Davenport Partnership
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce

130 W. Second St. Davenport, IA

Phone: (563) 823-2681

DowntownDavenport.com   

Bettendorf contact:

Patty Copeland

Public Works Coordinator

City of Bettendorf

4403 Devils Glen Road

Bettendorf, IA 52722

Phone: (563) 344-4084

www.bettendorf.org/downtowncleanup
25 Apr 2012

Minnesota to return federal share of health care plan payment

By Grassley Press

Sen. Chuck Grassley has been investigating the state of Minnesota's receipt of a $30 million payment from a Medicaid contractor, a health care plan called UCare.  State officials repeatedly characterized the payment as a "donation" and according to internal emails, took pains to avoid repaying any of the $30 million to the federal taxpayers.  Since Medicaid is a state-federal program, any refund must be divided between the state and federal governments.  Today, state officials notified the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the state of Minnesota has agreed to return the federal government's share of the $30 million payment.  A U.S. House hearing on Wednesday will explore the situation, and Grassley is scheduled to testify.  Grassley made the following comment on today's development.

"Key state officials portrayed the UCare payment as a bona fide donation unrelated to Medicaid payments and schemed to keep 100 percent of the money.  These officials failed to disclose to my office all correspondence with CMS, including CMS' concern about the donation characterization in a July 2011 letter.  State officials have suggested that CMS knew about the payment and did nothing.  Now, the state officials are giving back the federal share of the $30 million payment, even though they continue to say the payment was a donation.  If the payment was a donation, why return the money?  This isn't the end of my investigation.  Minnesota needs to answer for its actions on the UCare payment.  And the state clearly has structural problems with its Medicaid payments that need examination.  If a state is gaming the federal government to get more out of Medicaid, the state is gaming taxpayers nationwide and ultimately hurting the people who need Medicaid.  Congress needs to make sure this situation isn't duplicated elsewhere."


25 Apr 2012

Grassley, Thune Seek Answers on Federal Loan to Luxury Car Maker

By Grassley Press

Monday, April 23, 2012

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. John Thune are asking the Energy Department to explain the selection of a luxury automaker - now described as "troubled" -- for a $529 million federal loan for advanced technology vehicles manufacturing.  The federal government made part of the loan to the Fisker Automotive Corporation, then froze the remaining portion, raising questions about whether the company was vetted properly in the first place.

"The government is responsible for minimizing risk to taxpayers," Grassley said.  "It's important to know what went into the Energy Department's decision to fund the production of expensive luxury vehicles.   The riskiness of loans to companies that may or may not be able to pay them back deserves scrutiny.  The taxpayers can't and shouldn't have to subsidize these decisions."

"There seems to be a troubling pattern developing at the Department of Energy when it comes to providing taxpayer-backed government loans to private companies," Thune said. "Taxpayers have a right to know why their hard-earned money was used in part to back the production of luxury automobiles overseas, especially in a manner that might not have undergone proper review. I hope Secretary Chu will provide Congress with answers about why this loan was granted and to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not at risk."

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 required the creation of a direct loan program from the federal government to car companies through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive program.   Fisker's two planned vehicles would sell for more than $100,000 and about $50,000.  The high retail prices seem to indicate the vehicles would be out of reach for most Americans, thereby seeming like a questionable choice of investment for a federal program.  Also, the senators questioned whether the company's vehicle production in Finland diminishes the goal of developing advanced vehicle technology to create jobs in the United States.

The text of the Grassley-Thune letter to Energy Secretary Stephen Chu is available here.

-30-
25 Apr 2012

Samantha Kammerman Performs in Augustana's Bat Boy Production

By Keri Rursch

ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/23/2012)(readMedia)-- During the next two weekends, Augustana students will present the cult classic, Bat Boy: The Musical, described by The New York Times as "a jaggedly imaginative mix of skewering humor and energetic glee." The unusual storyline is based on a 1992 Weekly World News article about a half-boy, half-bat named Bat Boy.

Augustana's theatre arts department and Opera@Augustana have joined together to deliver six performances of Bat Boy: The Musical in Potter Theatre, inside Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts (3701 7th Ave.) between April 27 and May 6.

Among those involved in the performance:

Samantha Kammerman, a first year from Milan, Ill., majoring in liberal studies, plays the role of Ron Taylor/Maggie/Clem Kammerman.

Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming wrote the story and book on which Bat Boy: The Musical is based, and Laurence O'Keefe wrote the music and lyrics. It was premiered at Actors Gang Theatre in 1997 and has become a cult classic. Off-Broadway productions around the world have increased its popularity.

Dramaturg Jacqui Schmidt, an Augustana senior English and theatre arts major from Algonquin, Ill., will give a pre-performance talk on Sunday, April 29, at 12:30 p.m., and Friday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m., in Larson Hall, inside Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts. A dramaturg typically explores the context of the story and assists with adapting it to the stage.

Bat Boy: The Musical often is seen as a fluff musical, without any academic context. The pre-performance talk will use William Shakespeare's play The Tempest as one way to bring academic context to the production. In addition to the similarities between characters, the talk will present the blurring distinctions between human and beast.

This musical contains offbeat, adult content and is recommended for high school students and older.

Showtimes and ticket information

Fri., April 27 & Sat., April 28 - 7:30 p.m.

Sun., April 28 - 1:30 p.m.

Fri., May 4 & Sat., May 5 - 7:30 p.m.

Sun., May 6 - 1:30 p.m.

General Admission - $14

Students & Seniors (60+) - $12

Purchase tickets online at augustana.edu/tickets or call (309) 794-7306

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Samantha-Kammerman-Performs-in-Augustanas-Bat-Boy-Production/3824912.

25 Apr 2012

Rivermont Academic Invitational

By Rachel Chamberlain

Wednesday, April 25th  9:00am-2:00pm


200 Middle School students from 23 schools around the Quad Cities will come together on Wednesday, April 25th to compete in the 5th Annual Rivermont Academic Invitational (RAI). This year's theme is The Human Body. 

The Rivermont Academic Invitational is an academic team competition providing youth of the Quad City Area with opportunities to strategize and problem solve in both individual and collaborative settings. It is the goal to provide challenges which foster creative, visionary and critical thinking and encourage students to identify local, global and environmental relevance.  Activity designers and judges for this competition are professionals from many local businesses.

The competition takes place on Wednesday, April 25th from 9:00am-2:00pm on the Rivermont Collegiate campus located at 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722.

For more information about the Rivermont Academic Invitational contact Leigh Ann Schroeder 563-359-1366 ext. 343
25 Apr 2012

SANCTUARY CHOIR WORKS BY HAYDN AND MATHIAS

By Sharyn Reitz

CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

30 N. CLINTON STREET, IOWA CITY IA 52245

IOWA CITY - The Sanctuary Choir, with organist Bill Crouch and a string orchestra, under the direction of John C. Hughes will perform the Haydn Kleine Orgelsolomesse this coming Sunday, April 29 at 10:15am, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 30 N. Clinton Street in Iowa City.

The Choir will also present the anthem composed for the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, Let the People Praise thee, O God, by William Mathias.

For more information call 319-337-4301 or visit the church's website at www.uccic.org.  The Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 30 N. Clinton Street, across from the University of Iowa Pentacrest.  The Church is handicapped-accessible.
25 Apr 2012

IOWA FARM BUREAU SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS REPRESENT AG'S FUTURE LEADERS

By Rick Martin

Farm Bureau awards $180,000 to current and future college students

 WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - April 23, 2012 - Iowa students are preparing themselves to become the future leaders of agriculture and are interested in a variety of areas ranging from genetics to business to education to nursing. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has awarded $1,000 scholarships for tuition to 180 students who plan to study agriculture at their chosen colleges and universities.

In addition, Clayton Robison of Henry County was named the recipient of the Daniel Johnson Memorial Scholarship, a one-time $500 award for a student from one of eleven counties in southeast Iowa: Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Muscatine, Wapello, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Davis, Van Buren and Lee.  The scholarship is awarded in honor of the late Daniel Johnson, a former Iowa Farm Bureau director, farmer, volunteer firefighter and school board president.

"These scholarships help students pursue their dreams and so many of those career aspirations include agriculture or support jobs in rural communities. We're honored to help these future leaders get a start in their academic pursuits and help them with their educational goals," said IFBF Community Resources Director Barb Lykins.

First-time Farm Bureau scholarship recipients include 54 graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in their chosen college or university.  Students are eligible to renew the scholarships for up to four years by maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and by being a student in good standing with the college or university.

Six recipients were selected from each of the nine IFBF districts.  Scholarships were awarded to children of Farm Bureau members who plan to or currently attend an accredited college, university or community college to earn two or four-year degrees.

First-time applicants were asked to write an essay indicating the contributions they expect to make to agriculture and the rural community.  They also were selected based on their academic achievement, financial need, community and extracurricular involvement and letters of recommendation.

- 30 -

Editor's Note: First-time scholarship winners (listed alphabetically by hometown), parent names and future or current college are listed below.

IOWA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION FIRST-TIME SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Ackley, Samantha Roelfs, Jim and Kandi Roelfs, Iowa State University

Alburnett, Dustin Lange, Timothy and Rhonda Lange, Iowa State University

Ashton, Michelle Fischer, Doug and Janelle Fischer, South Dakota State University

Audubon, Stacey Bruch, Brian and Nancy Bruch, Des Moines Area Community College

Chariton, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Tim and Darcy Fitzgerald, Iowa State University

Chariton, Tyler Folkerts, Todde and Michelle Folkerts, Central College

Clearfield, Matthew Kerns, Steven and Becky Kerns, Iowa State University

Clutier, Kelsey Upah, Duane and Gail Upah, Iowa State University

Columbus Junction, Delaney Howell, Dale and Dana Howell, Northwest Missouri State University

Corning, Haley Holbrook, Jerry and Tracy Holbrook, Iowa State University

Corwith, Katelyn Terhark, Bruce and Jackie Terhark, North Central University

Decorah, Kilah Hemesath, Keith and Linda Hemesath, Iowa State University

Delmar, Landon Rorah, Greg and Mary Lou Rorah, Kirkwood Community College

Donnellson, Derek Vandenberg, Brad and Sue Vandenberg, Kirkwood Community College

Dubuque, Michael Bahl, Martin and Linda Bahl, Iowa State University

Early, Isaac Jepsen, Lonny and Tracey Jepsen, Iowa State University

Eddyville, Nathaniel Harris, Terry and Lois Harris, Dordt College

Fairfield, Whitney Taglauer, Brian and Sherry Taglauer, Iowa State University

Galt, Adelai Swanson, Stuart and Lori Swanson, Iowa State University

Grafton, Marena Bartz, Merlin and Lisa Bartz, Iowa State University

Granville, Sterling Schnepf, Richard and Sharon Schnepf, Iowa State University

Greenfield, Rob Mensing, Bruce and Di Mensing, Iowa State University

Grimes, Lyndsey Niebuhr, Steven and Cynthia Niebuhr, Iowa State University

Griswold, Abigail Leighton, Scott and Angela Leighton, Iowa State University

Guttenberg, Kellie Walters, Barbara Wall and Marvin Walters, Iowa State University

Harlan, Nathan Ohms, Neil and Melanie Ohms, Iowa State University

Henderson, Samantha Keast, Russell and Diane Keast, Iowa State University

Hubbard, Becky Cook, Jeff and Val Cook, University of Northern Iowa

Jesup, Chelsea Bearbower, Don and Sue Bearbower, Upper Iowa University

Jewell, Calvin Carlson, Brad and Karleen Carlson, Iowa State University

Kellerton, Claire Andresen, Lyle and Stacey Andresen, South Dakota State University

Le Mars, Rebecca Clay, John and Kimberly Clay, Iowa State University

Madrid, Spencer Larson, Mike and Kathy Toms, Iowa State University

Manchester, Mikaela Boss, Todd and Donna Boss, Iowa State University

Mapleton, Kay Drenkhahn, Daniel and Julie Drenkhahn, Briar Cliff University

Montezuma, Kendra Doty, Daniel and Shawn Doty, Iowa State University

Moulton, Madison Probasco, John and Brenda Probasco, Iowa State University

New Sharon, Alexandra Ferguson, Brett and Carrie Ferguson, Iowa State University

Palmer, Amber Butcher, Joe and Beth Butcher, University of Northern Iowa

Plainfield, Kelsey Peters, David and Barb Peters, Wartburg College

Prole, Andria Harper, Amy and Craig Harper, Simpson College

Rockwell City, Tate Klocke, Doug and Paula Klocke, Iowa State University

Runnells, Sarah Stewart, Rob and Krista Stewart, Des Moines Area Community College

Sac City, Lauren Houska, Pete and Nancy Houska, Iowa State University

Sioux Center, Micah Rensink, Mark and Deb Rensink, South Dakota State University

Solon, Rebecca Haugland, Brett and Lisa Haugland, Kirkwood Community College

Spirit Lake, Keith Byers, Mark and Karen Byers, Drake University

St. Ansgar, Hailey Meitner, Leland and Barb Meitner, Iowa State University

State Center, Celene Slifka, Darrell and Cheryl Slifka, Iowa State University

Toledo, Tara Gray, Terry and Julie Gray, Kirkwood Community College

West Liberty, Avery Meyers, Mike and Pam Meyers, Iowa State University

What Cheer, Adam Striegel, Mike and Suzette Striegel, Iowa State University

Winfield, Clayton Robison, Chris and Sharon Robison, Iowa State University

Worthington, Jenna Lansing, David and Rebecca Lansing, Coe College

25 Apr 2012

U.S. Soy: Naturally Sustainable

By United Soybean Board
Soy Checkoff Works with Partners to Meet Customer Sustainability Demands

ST. LOUIS (April 23, 2012) - The United Soybean Board (USB) and soy checkoff have begun leading an effort to demonstrate the high sustainability performance of U.S. soy to customers who increasingly demand products grown using sustainable practices. USB continues to collaborate with the American Soybean Association, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and several state soybean checkoff boards to compile specific examples that show how U.S. soy production is sustainable.

The organizations intend to use the information to ensure U.S. soybean farmers' freedom to operate and open market access for U.S. soy across the globe. It will encompass all U.S. soy and all U.S. soybean farmers.

"We're taking an overall view of what's already being done by U.S. soybean farmers to become more sustainable and informing our customers around the world about it," says USB International Marketing program chair Sharon Covert, a soybean farmer from Tiskilwa, Ill. "U.S. soybean farmers have always been sustainable; it's at the heart of what we do. We have a tremendous amount of research to show how sustainable we've become."

As more customers demand sustainably sourced products and ingredients, checkoff-funded research provides facts that show U.S. soy meets those demands. USB's life-cycle analysis of soy production and processing and measurements against key sustainability metrics show U.S. soybean farmers continuously improving their sustainability performance.

"This is a time-sensitive issue, giving us an opportunity to avoid trade interruptions with any of our U.S. soy customers who demand sustainable soy," says USSEC Chairman Roy Bardole, a soybean farmer from Rippey, Iowa. "In fact, this provides an opportunity to open markets in the European Union, where sales of U.S. soy could be seriously inhibited in the future because of sustainability issues. It will be a huge boost to our efforts there."

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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