Business

NASHUA – The Annual Spring Field Day at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 1:00 to 4:15 PM.  The program will start with Elwynn Taylor, ISU Extension Climatologist, providing a crop-weather forecast; follow by Matt Liebman, ISU Agronomist, to address the economics of diversified crop rotations; then Antonio Mallarino, ISU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, will cover N management in crop rotations; and Matt Helmers, ISU Extension Ag Engineer, will address various water quality project on the research farm and their implications.

The Vinton Unlimited office is excited to announce that Ben Hyland will be joining the staff for the summer. Ben will be helping with several projects including RAGBRAI and Boom-fest. Ben will also be working on some smaller projects in the office. "Vinton Unlimited has a lot of new projects in the works, and I can't wait to be a part of them" Hyland states.

Nelson Furniture, located at 507 1st Ave. Vinton, will close its doors at the end of August. From 1946 to 1976, the business was owned and operated by Bob and Mary Nelson. In 1976 Bill and Jane White bought the business, and just shy of their 40th year in business, they are closing the doors. In a letter to the public, Bill writes, "Jane was still a teenager when we bought the store from Bob and Mary Nelson in the late summer of 1976.

Evening Meals -Serving Time: 5:30-6:30 pm Site will close at 8:30 pm Tuesday, June 2nd Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Peas, Pears, Bread Pudding w/Raisins, WW Bread, Margarine and Milk. Activity: Pinochle/5 Crown/Spades Tuesday, June 16th Scallops Alfredo, Noodles, Carrots, Mixed Fruit, Lemon Dessert, WW Bread, Margarine and Milk.

Young farmers who depend on pasture to support their livestock operation will benefit from attending the Grassroots Grazing program. This three part program includes pasture walks at three different sites throughout the summer and will address setting livestock enterprise goals, selecting an appropriate grazing system, developing pasture improvement plans, managing grass height, results of adequate rest, fencing, watering, weed management and extending grazing.

Benton Development Group will be hosting a visit with Iowa Economic Development Authority Director, Debi Durham, on June 17th.  Throughout the day, Dir. Durham will be touring a local business and visiting different communities throughout the county.  The most important stop Durham will make during her visit will be at the Van Horne Community Center.

Cover crops, no-till/strip-till or nitrification inhibitor eligible for assistance DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced today that funds are available to help farmers install nutrient reduction practices.  Practices eligible for this funding are cover crops, no-till or strip till, or using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fertilizer.

Board Director Don Shonka, East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative, along with nearly 40 other representatives from Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives have returned from Washington, D.C., after discussing energy, environmental and economic development issues with Iowa’s members of Congress and their staff earlier this week. The purpose of the trip, an annual gathering of electric cooperatives from across the country, is to ensure Iowa’s elected officials are fully aware of the thoughts and concerns of their constituents who are served by electric cooperatives in Iowa.

East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative is proud to announce it has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 10 graduating seniors who plan to further their education as noted below following their names. Congratulations to these deserving students!   BENTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL   Cameron Haerther, son of Pamela and William Haerther – Iowa State University   Cameron plans to major in mechanical engineering and minor in business.

Designation announced by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad this week Kirkwood Community College was named a Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMP) earlier this week. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad announced that Kirkwood, along with five other communities and colleges, had met the requirements to become partners in the program.