Rural Lifestyle on Highway 6

Larry Cleverley & The Iowa DOT

A couple of weeks ago my friend Larry Cleverley received a notice that the Iowa Department of Transportation had decided to re-construct an intersection near Mingo, Iowa.  The change, says the DOT, is necessary to fix a dangerous intersection which is among the top two deadly in the state.  

The DOT will spend millions on the construction and the project will destroy the home and take much of the land which has been in the Cleverely Family for over 80 years.  The action will shut down the organic, fresh, buy local farm.

Cleverley has suggested the Iowa DOT simply install a stoplight at the intersection.  However Scott Dockstader, an engineer with the department has said a stoplight is not practical given the high rate of vehicle speed. He was quoted in the Des Moines Register, "We feel that a stoplight out in a rural area on a 65-mph road would not be safe.  Not as safe as the interchange option we are proposing."

So, the question:  Why wouldn't the DOT gradually reduce the speed limit and install a stoplight?  Seems to work in other parts of the state.  For example I've posted two images of where this seems to work.  Above is a rural stoplight located on Hwy. 175 near Harcourt and below another on Hwy. 69 near Gilbert.  Or...will the Iowa DOT remove those as well and take some-body's farm land?

Update:  Moments ago I had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Dockstader of the DOT.  We had a long discussion regarding "stoplights", "flashing lights", "interchanges" and best ideas.  "The department has been looking at this issue for years", said Dockstader.  "Whatever we do is going to impact someone.  I can tell you that this is the most dangerous intersection in the state and something needs to be done."  He told me that reducing the speed limit would not work (currently 60 mph) because of a lack of enforcement.   And that setting out a stoplight would be contrary to the system the DOT follows.  Here is that link.

I wonder if Jasper County might consider...traffic cameras to better enforce and monitor the area with regard to speed.

There is no projected timeline and Mr. Dockstader tells me it could be several years "at the earliest".

For those of you who would like to get involved here is a petition started by Larry hosted by Change.org.

Please feel free to share.

Spring Garlicpalooza - Cleverley Farms

What can be more tempting than spending a day with friends celebrating the wonderful gift of...garlic?  My friend Larry Cleverley (left singing Cash) of Mingo, Iowa is an organic grower of all things yummy and this Sunday (May 26th) he rolls out  Garlicpalooza an annual event that pays homage to the "great bulb of goodness".

"It started out small with a couple of friends enjoying spring," says Cleverley.  "Then more folks wanted to come so we added things like blue grass music, beer, hay-rides and it's gotten to be a pretty big deal."

Here's some info from the Facebook Event Page:

Our annual farm party. Pot luck, live music, beer from Raccoon River Brewing Co., hayrides, farm & timber walks, general fun & frivolity. Children welcome. Pets are not. See where your food is grown.

Mingo is about 32 minutes northeast of Des Moines and/or 40 minutes from Ames.  The fun starts at 2PM on Sunday afternoon and the weather looks great.

If you're in Central Iowa hope to see you in Mingo...we'll share some garlic...and maybe get a chance to hear Larry sing some Johnny Cash?

If you want to comment here, feel free or let's get together on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio - Thanks for coming by! - Michael

Rural Lifestyle Equipment Dealers & 2013

My friends at Rural Lifestyle Dealer have just released their latest "trends and outlook" report for rural lifestyle equipment dealers and the bottom line says, "Solid & Stable".

While that headline doesn't say much about "growth" we think it is a reflection that, overall, the economy, while sluggish in some areas of the country continues to improve.  Nearly 37% of the dealers who responded believe revenue in 2013 will grow by two to seven percent.  Meanwhile, 35.8% see little or no change in this year's revenue projection.

So what equipment do rural lifestyle dealers see as being "sellers" in 2013?  Here's a listing:

• Under 40HP Tractors - Nearly 60% of the dealers see this area as being revenue positive;
• Rotary Cutters - 47% see increased sales here;
• Utility Vehicles - Nearly 48%;
• Tractors 40 to 100HP - Almost 40% of the dealers indicated sales of these tractors will boost their bottom line.

In addition rural lifestyle dealers are looking for new products to add to their existing floor-plan of equipment offerings.  The survey indicates that one-third or more of the dealers will add compact tractors, skid steer loaders and utility tractors.

Finally "after market" parts and products are seen as revenue builders to the majority of dealers.

Our friends at Rural Lifestyle Dealer, executive editor Dave Kanicki and president Mike Lessiter have always been spot on when it comes to learning about and sharing economic data important to the growth and sustainability of Rural America...even when that means only a couple of acres.

For the entire story about 2013 Trends & Outlook from Rural Lifestyle Dealer..here is that link.

If you would like to leave a comment here, feel free or let's join up on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio.  Thanks for dropping by! 

Betting on Rural Iowa - Business Development

Betting on the future of Rural Iowa Calcium Products, Inc. has purchased a vacant 1960’s school building located in tiny Gilmore City (pop. 504) and is in the process of transforming it into their corporate offices. “We’ve needed more space for a very long time”, says Craig Dick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the firm which manufacturers north America’s most effective soil amendments. “The offices we co-located at one of our manufacturing plants.  You cannot imagine how dusty our old offices were. This arrangement will allow us to keep a presence in Gilmore City and give a boost to the local economy.”

Craig Dick said Calcium Products is seeking to add a number of people to their growing support team including customer service representatives, accounting and administrative roles, and employees for other various positions. “We’ve been asked if we thought being in such a rural area would hinder our hiring. While it can be a bit more difficult to find people, when you do find someone in a rural area, their quality as an employee is unrivaled. When people are offered a good job with a very stable company and can stay in the community or return to the community they grew up in, it’s a winning combination for everyone." (Image: Accountant Susan Flurer standing in the gym area which will be transformed into offices.)

The employees of Calcium Products, Inc. aren’t the only people excited about this move.  Dick “Putter” Jergens is the mayor of Gilmore City and was helpful in securing the abandoned building. “I’d say it was sitting empty for at least fifteen years”, said Jergens.  “The local Catholic Church once had used it for their school and social functions.  But, as time went on and the congregation aged the building was used less and less.”  When asked about the cities relationship with Calcium Products, Inc. Jergens was quick to respond, “We are so proud of Calcium Products and their founder Larry Moore.  He and his family have done so much for Gilmore City and this is just another example.  This is good for Gilmore City because it’s a major boost.  Heck, if they add five new jobs that’s one-percent of our population and that’s a good thing.”

If you would like to comment here, feel free or let's connect on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio. Thanks for coming by!

Food Fights & Michele Payn-Knoper

Last week, on Valentine's Day, a new book about food and farming was released.  "No More Food Fights - Growing A Productive Farm & Food Conversation" by Michele Payn-Knoper attempts to make the connection between eating and producing the food we consume.  It's badly needed.

One hundred years ago over a third of the US population was engaged in agricultural production.  Today less than 2% of us create the food and fiber for America and much of the world.  Forty years ago many of us had a direct connection to the farm. We had family and friends who actually lived on one.  Today we're generations removed.

That disengagement allows for information and misinformation to swirl like a Kansas dust-devil on a hot summer day.  Groups on both sides of the table fight over what is "right" and what is "wrong" with food production.  In the end the consumer is confused, angered and intimidated.

Payn-Knoper offers consumers, farmers. foodies the two sides of production agriculture a real-time look at farming and a real-time look at food.  She asks consumers to get involved with farmers.  Try to understand that there is common ground between folks who love organic and those who don't.  Here is the conversation with Michele.

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It is not a quick read and there's loads of information tucked into the 153 pages.  And, in the end, if you are a "hard core" believer in whatever this book may not alter your belief system.  However, because we all eat it might make sense to understand farms, farmers and food production.  Read it with an open mind.

You can order No More Food Fights here on Amazon.

 

Microloans for Agriculture

This week Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a new round of funding for 
USDA "Microloans" for small farmers who may have had issues receiving traditional funding from banks or other USDA loan programs.

The program offers up to $35,000 in initial start-up expenses to farm families, minority growers, and military veterans seeking to start a farm.  Often these farms grow niche or organic crops designated for community supported agriculture programs, farmers markets or local restaurants eager for locally grown products.

This is a good move and welcomed by a host of agriculture related groups.  Dr. Mark Rasmussen of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture said, "We are supportive of a plan that will offer funding for farmers/growers in niche areas where traditional lenders may lack benchmarks on investment return."  In other words, many traditional banking operations are unfamiliar with speciality crops grown on small farms and the potential for success.

Meanwhile, Sally Worley deputy director and horticulture program coordinator for Practical Farmers of Iowa told us, "The USDA Microloan program increases farmers access to loans. The program's requirements are less stringent than FSA's traditional loan program, which means more people are eligible and paperwork is not as rigorous. Having smaller amounts of money available also has the potential to bolster farm businesses without encouraging large amounts of debt. Practical Farmers' fruit and vegetable farmers as well as beginning farmers have expressed interest in finding loan programs for small capital investments, so it is exciting to see this program rolled out."

Growers who may be impacted by this new program seem to be equally enthusiastic. 
Twyla Hein runs Earth Biscuit Farm, near Tipton, Iowa raises chickens (and selling eggs), berries and produce for a CSA. She says she just visited with the Cedar County FSA this morning about a microloan.  "This will be so helpful for small farmers like myself and I'm looking forward to utilizing it. Like any other program, we need to use it, or we'll lose it. This will enable us to buy some equipment and really jump-start our business."

The funding  the microloan program comes from a "pool of all operating loan programs" approved by congress and administered through the Farm Service Agency.

We believe that building the economics of Rural America has to start with the people who already live there and this is a great step.

If you wish to comment here, feel free or join our advertising agency on our Twitter Stream @InsightADV or our Rural Life Twitter Stream @RuralLifeRadio. Thanks for coming by. - Michael Libbie

Rural America...Does It Matter?

My friend and current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack had some harsh words for those of us working in and with Rural America.  No doubt his frustration is due, in part, because Congress failed to pass a Farm Bill in 2012.

Here, in a nut-shell, is the issue:

While commodity prices are at record highs, while farmland values are at record highs, with all the talk about how precious agriculture is and how important food, fuel and fiber is...Rural America is becoming less relevant and full of poverty and old ideas.

We see it every day.  Rural manufacturing companies can not find skilled workers.  The fabric of rural life, schools, houses of worship, main street are all struggling.  Small towns are becoming places where the poor and the aged hang out. 

Community leaders, government officials and business people seem to be unable to reverse the trends started over two decades ago.  People are abandoning Rural America and coming to the cities.  Secretary Vilsack is right.  We have to re-think ways in which to build a thriving rural culture but doing that is going to cost money.  Some starting points:

• Rural Broadband - We have been on this kick for years and it's something that Urban America just can't seem to understand.  The Internet in many rural areas still is accessed through ancient telephone lines or expensive satellite hookups.  To level education, jobs and creative we need to fix this...now;
• Politics - There is nothing wrong with having an opinion however when that opinion is so negative toward immigration reform we are going nowhere and making enemies of those individuals who want to move to small towns;
• Education - I love it that we have a good public school system and a large number of colleges and universities.  However what we lack is the funding for trade schools where people don't have to "move" to get an education in skilled labor;
• Food - Isn't it odd that in the very areas where the food is grown we find significant hunger issues among the people living here.  I often wonder if the conversation about cutting food stamp programs would be different if the face of the "welfare queen" were the faces of our rural population;
• Traditional vs. Organic - Can we say..."Enough!"  There are people who demand organic food and there are people who say it's silly.  Stop the argument and go create and then sell something. 
  

If you are interested in the article by Christopher Doering carried by the Des Moines Register here is that link.

I don't have all the answers...or even the right answers but congratulations to Secretary Vilsack for speaking up.  If you want to connect, you can do so here or our Twitter Stream is @RuralLifeRadio.

Images from Practical Farmers of Iowa 2013 Conference "Soil to Soul"

The annual conference of Practical Farmers of Iowa was held this past weekend in Ames, Iowa.  Here are several images from the "Soil to Soul" event:

Dr. Andrew Hoiberg and Pete Kaputska from Calcium Products, Inc. talking about OMRI listed SuperCal 98G (lime) and SuperCal SO4 (gypsum) and the benefits of using pelletized products.

During a panel discussion regarding restaurant use of locally grown food and marketing with George Formaro of Gateway Market and Centro, Larry Cleverly of Cleverley Farms and writer/food consultant Jim Duncan or @Foodude on Twitter.

Some of the 450+ attendees during the PFI event in Ames.

Popcorn during the break...yum!

First time attendees/vendors Jessica and Charles from Terra Biotics talking with our friend Sean Skeehan from Blue Gate Farm.

Finally, we had this question for PFI staff member Luke Gran about where Practical Farmers of Iowa saw themselves in relationship to traditional to organic farmers:

 

If you want to connect with us we can do that on our Twitter Stream @RuralLifeRadio. Thanks for coming by!

Staff from Calcium Products, Inc. working the booth during Practical Farmers of Iowa Event in Ames, Iowa.

Practical Farmers of Iowa - Soil to Soul

Our friends from Practical Farmers of Iowa held their annual conference here in Ames.  Our goal is to find out more about this group who gathered over 450 people on the campus of Iowa State University to learn more about soils...and the souls who care for the land.

 

Practical Farmers of Iowa "Soil to Soul" continues through Saturday, January 12th.  If you're in the area you might stop in sometime before noon.

Thanks for coming by.  If you would like to connect with us feel free to join our Twitter Stream @RuralLifeRadio.  And here is the Twitter Stream for #PFI @PracticalFarmer.