Davenport, Iowa - May, 2011- Life-sustaining yet also destructive, the transformative properties of water play a crucial role in shaping our physical and cultural landscape. On May 7th, the Figge will celebrate the beauty and power of water in the exhibition Water Views from the Figge Collection. Drawing upon its collection of European, American and Japanese paintings and works on paper, the exhibition offers a broad survey of water imagery and explores the cultural perceptions imbedded in them.  This exhibition will run through August 21, 2011.

Works by renowned artists like Asher Durand, James A. Whistler, Thomas Moran, Paul Signac and Utagawa Hiroshige underscores the strength of Figge's permanent collection and allows us to reflect upon the role of the Mississippi in the Quad Cities.  Works date from the mid-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries and many were part of C. A. Ficke's original gift to the Davenport Museum of Art.

This spring, Thursdays at the Figge programs will highlight themes from the exhibition.  On May 12, Water Views curator Rima Girnius will lead a gallery talk of the exhibition. On May 26, Davenport artists Ralph Iacarino will lead a gallery talk about watercolor works in the exhibition and a live demonstration of the techniques used by watercolor artists.  Dan Malachuck and Figge Curator of Education Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson will lead a gallery talk on selected exhibition works and related literature on June 9

On Sundays in May at 1:30pm, public tours will focus on water-themed artwork from the Figge's American and European collection. Guided group tours are also available for the exhibition as well as full museum tours to enhance your visit. Contact the Figge Art Museum at 563.326.7804 or visit online at figgeartmuseum.org for more information.

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Iowa farmers transitioning to organic systems as well as established organic producers now have an opportunity to apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative funding to assist their organic efforts.

The USDA recently announced another $50 million in funding for the EQIP Organic Initiative, which provides a 75% share of the cost of implementing organic conservation measures to those who qualify - 90% for beginning, limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

This is the third year of the Organic Initiative. In 2010, NRCS obligated $24 million nationally with over $1.4 million going to Iowa organic farmers. This year even greater funding is available for Iowa producers to plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns in ways that are consistent with organic production. The deadline for this application period is May 20, 2011.

The Center for Rural Affairs has a long history of assisting family farmers and ranchers in accessing new conservation programs.  We created an EQIP Organic Initiative fact sheet available at - http://www.cfra.org/node/2509 - and we operate a Farm Bill Helpline where producers can call (402) 687-2100, ask for the Farm Bill Helpline and speak to a real person who can help producers receive assistance in accessing new programs like the EQIP organic initiative.

The Farm Bill Helpline can also assist farmers and ranchers with the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Cooperative Conservation Partnerships Initiative, the Value Added Agricultural Market Development Program and a host of Beginning Farmer and Rancher programs.

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

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program today named an Iowa student as one of America's top ten youth volunteers for 2011 at the 16th annual national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Honored as a National Honoree was:

Sarah Cronk, 18, of Bettendorf, co-founded a cheerleading squad at her high school that includes students with disabilities, and then formed a nonprofit corporation that encourages teens across the country to start similar squads at their schools.

Also recognized during the four-day celebration as an Iowa State Honoree was:

Jungah Kelly Lee, 14, of West Des Moines, organized a small group of youth and adult volunteers to clean up trash once a week in her neighborhood in order to make it safer and more attractive.

As a National Honoree, Sarah received a personal award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a crystal trophy for her school and a $5,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation for the nonprofit charitable organization of her choice. State Honorees received awards of $1,000 and engraved silver medallions. Both students received an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week's recognition events. At last night's event the two students received personal congratulations from Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon.

About the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community of Awards, the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer service, was created in 1995 by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The program serves to honor young people who are committed to making a positive difference and to inspire others to consider how they can also contribute to their communities and the world.

DES MOINES, IA (05/02/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald's Great Iowa Treasure Hunt spring publication is scheduled to be released soon. The upcoming list is the latest names of unclaimed property owners with undiscovered treasures. This is in part of Fitzgerald's continuous promotion of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.

"The release of the spring publication is always exciting for us. In upcoming weeks, we will be listing the new names of people who have had funds turned over to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. I encourage everyone to search for their name," Fitzgerald said. The Treasurer would also like to remind individuals they do not have to wait for the publication to begin to see if they have unclaimed property. "Individuals can go to www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com and search the entire Great Iowa Treasure Hunt list for their names anytime."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $122 million in unclaimed property to more than 310,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office, where it is held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

Everyone is encouraged to keep watch for the upcoming publication. In the meantime, all Iowans are urged to visit www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com and check to see if they have unclaimed property. Individuals may also send an email to foundit@iowa.gov. For those who prefer corresponding by mail, please write to: State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. Please make sure to provide current name, previous names and addresses.