Agricultural Science

Flooding likely, severity will depend on multiple factors (02/27/10)
In light of all the flooding experienced to some degree or another last year in the state of Iowa, the last thing most people want to start talking about before March is the possibility of high waters. But the discussion is well under way -- the result of the large volume of snow that continues to cover the ground...

Public's input sought on district facilities (02/25/10)
Local representatives believe the Spencer school district is in need of a new long-term facility plan. And, they're searching for a few people who'd like to offer their input on the matter. "The district needs to have a plan for how we handle our district facilities, what needs to be improved, what needs to be upgraded and for what the vision for the future with our facilities is," Superintendent Greg Ebeling told school board members Tuesday night...

State snowfall inches into record books (02/23/10)
Blizzard by blizzard, inch by inch, this Iowa winter is going down in history. As of the most recent numbers, released by State Climatologist Harry Hillaker on Thursday, the statewide snowfall average is 43.1 inches. Though not official, the local numbers are much higher than the state average...

Ag Outlook turns focus to future (02/13/10)
The 26th Annual Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook Conference and Trade Show will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Clay County Regional Events Center on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer and will feature an industry trade show and an agricultural forum...

Oponski: Spencer teacher on the move (10/23/09)
Chris Oponski is on a mission to develop a program that will help Spencer students realize the district's mission: Learning today ... Leading tomorrow. In her newly-created position, Oponski is also inviting other Spencer teachers to dream. "My job is to remove some of the obstacles and lift the veil for the teachers and say, 'Hey, here's a great opportunity for kids. I will work alongside you, just tell me what you want your students to experience and let's make it happen.'"...

Ag reps encouraged, warned about future of industry (09/19/09)
While times may be tough, nearly 100 agricultural representatives were encouraged to keep their chins up and focus on the prize during a luncheon held Thursday at the Clay County Fair. ...

Hogs, heart and help (09/18/09)
Three years ago, when Jerry Faulkner, grandfather of Shayla Kaye Rohrbaugh, was working to establish a special fund to assist working class families with medical needs in his late grandchild's honor, he said, "...I hope it to be a legacy instead of just a one- or two-year thing."...

Iowa second in nation for highest average ACT composite score (09/11/09)
Iowa students earned the second highest average ACT score in the nation in 2009, according to results released by ACT. The average ACT composite score for Iowa students this year was 22.4, which is the same as last year. Iowa has the second highest average composite score for states testing the majority of their graduating seniors. Minnesota is again first with 22.7 out of a possible 36...

State officials: Pork won't spread 'swine flu' (05/01/09)
Concerns about the swine flu's impact on the state's robust pork industry prompted official comment from the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture's office Thursday. Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey and the State Veterinarian for Iowa, Dr. David Schmitt, reiterated that consumers cannot get the H1N1 flu strain, or "swine flu" by eating pork and there is no evidence of this flu in the pig population of Iowa or any state...

Spencer has been preparing for implementation (04/11/09)
The Iowa Core Curriculum is designed to raise student engagement, as well as change teacher behaviors to impact student achievement, through the infusing of more challenging and meaningful content into classroom instruction. Its mandated "essential concepts and skills" in literacy, math, science, social studies and 21st century skills will all have to be included in Iowa district curriculums.

Iowa Core Curriculum: A paradigm shift in teaching, learning (04/10/09)
Per Gov. Culver signing it into law on May 1, 2008, the Iowa Core Curriculum is a set of essential concepts and skills in literacy, math, science, social studies and 21st century learning skills -- including civic literacy, financial literacy, technology literacy, health literacy and employability skills -- that all Iowa students must know by the time they graduate from high school. ...

Spencer Sixth Grade Math Bee Team headed to state (03/27/09)
On Saturday, March 21, the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency 8 held a Sixth Grade Math Bee in Pochantas. Twelve teams participated in the Math Bee. Participants in the bee completed 5 individual tests and one team test. The Spencer team, made up of Jordan Hansen, Adam Johnson, Cameron Geyer, and Jesse Woock, tied for first place with Algona Seton. ...

Dillard named a World Food Prize international intern (03/05/09)
It's a good thing classes started two hours late on Wednesday. The delay gave Sarah Dillard the chance to check her mailbox for an important letter she'd been anticipating. As the 17-year-old daughter of Rod and Patricia "Trish" Dillard opened her family's mailbox at 9:30 a.m., she found a letter neatly tucked inside from the World Food Prize, which strives to advance human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. ...

Beaver named new children's librarian (03/04/09)
Sarah Beth (Fuchsen) Beaver has been named the new youth services librarian at Spencer Public Library. Monday, March 23 will mark her first official day on job. The 27-year-old daughter of Tom and Marianne Fuchsen, Spencer, is a 2000 Spencer High School alumna who also graduated from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. Beaver is currently working to complete her master's degree in library science online from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee this December...

Board makes final budget decision (02/27/09)
With a few tears shed, a handful of harsh words exchanged and plenty of emotional public input, Spencer school board members voted to keep nine items above the cut line for 2009-10 Thursday night. At a cost of $348,176, these included an elementary classroom teacher, a vocational agriculture instructor and FFA sponsor position, the debate program, the mock trial and boys swimming programs, a high school social studies instructor, two middle school basketball coaches' salaries, a $103,593 package tied to full-time benefits for 15 teacher and library associates, and Activities Director Roger Johnson's position.. ...

Budget cuts concern district patrons (02/24/09)
Members of the Spencer School Board now have two hours of feedback to consider as they re-stack the priorities for another difficult round of budget cuts. Spencer School District Superintendent Greg Ebeling said the district needs to reduce its budget by about $700,000 due, mostly, to continued enrollment declines. He and the Spencer School Board identified 34 areas for potential reduction in a list handed out to district patrons at a public hearing Saturday morning...

CCE students advance to State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa (02/18/09)
Did you know that of the different types of music, classical music stimulates plant growth best? Another fact: Wood shavings and leaves combust better than cattle manure and bean meal. Forty-three Clay Central-Everly (CCE) seventh and eighth grade students showcased research projects such as these they've been working on since the start of second semester Tuesday afternoon in an annual science fair held in the Royal gym. ...

Ag Outlook to fill Events Center Tuesday (02/14/09)
The 25th Annual Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook Conference and Trade Show will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Over 90 exhibitors will take part in the free public event featuring an industry trade show and agricultural forum...

Residents to start tackling school budget cuts Monday (01/17/09)
The 25 "additional" budget packages being offered for consideration by community residents at 7 p.m. Monday night (See "2009-10 Spencer School Additional Budget Packages" on Page 2) total a potential $823,000 worth of staff positions and programs which could be trimmed from Spencer school district's 2009-10 budget...

Area AEA professional finds new technologies exciting (01/13/09)
Appleton honored with Herb Braselman Award The Herb Braselman Award, named for the late first president of the National Association of Media and Technology Centers (NAMTC) organization, is presented in recognition of exemplary service and leadership for regional media centers and for outstanding contributions to the field of educational media and technology...

Shayla Bee advocating for Alex (01/06/09)
The Jeff and Lori Hermstad family of Storm Lake, which includes their 15-year-old identical twin daughters Jaci and Alexandria "Alex" Hermstad, has an advocate. That proponent -- members of the Shayla Bee Fund -- wants to raise awareness about Alex, who for nearly four years has been fighting an undiagnosed condition that currently has her paralyzed, yet fighting for life...

Sacred Heart staff honored for 'excellence in education' (11/26/08)
Sacred Heart Catholic School in Spencer has one of the highest number of teachers in the Sioux City diocese to have received the Bishop's Excellence in Education Award, which was established to recognize teachers who are dedicated educators in diocesan Catholic schools...

Shayla Bee Fund rides again, prepares to donate $8,000 to four area families (11/15/08)

Strand teaching ag, advising FFA at SHS (11/13/08)
A reputable, former Emmetsburg agricultural education instructor has accepted the half-time role of vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Spencer High School. "I enjoy what I do and I'm looking forward to doing a lot here," Jerry Strand said Wednesday afternoon in his SHS classroom...

EXECUTIVE DEAN RESIGNS AT IOWA LAKES (11/13/08)
Several new faculty members at Iowa Lakes Community College met the members of the Board of Trustees at their meeting Tuesday afternoon in Estherville; and an executive dean stepped down. The executive dean of the Estherville campus of Iowa Lakes Community College has turned in her resignation and the trustees accepted it...

Iowa Department of Education releases state report card (09/19/08)
The Iowa Department of Education (DE) released the state report card for No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Thursday. The report shows a change in the state's proficiency targets, which is the percent of students across the state that must be proficient in reading and math...

ILCC wind tech students may transfer to UI under agreement (09/19/08)
The University of Iowa College of Engineering and Iowa Lakes Community College of Estherville, Iowa, have signed an agreement that will allow some Iowa Lakes students to transfer to either the UI Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering or the UI Department of Mechanical Engineering, effective fall semester 2009...

Student assessment data reviewed (09/18/08)
Local school administrators and teachers now have data from several different types of student assessments at their fingertips, allowing them to work toward the differentiated instruction of individual students. Spencer School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) members were presented with the latest reports this week. ...

ILCC students aid in data collection (09/11/08)
Fairgoers will be able to offer their opinions on just how good the Clay County Fair is when they complete a survey at the fair this year. Iowa Lakes Community College, the Clay County Fair and the Clay County Auditor's office will be cooperating for the 11th year in a row to survey fairgoers about their opinions...

ISU Extension Connections at the Clay County Fair (09/05/08)
The public is invited to make an ISU Extension Connection during the 2008 Clay County Fair, Sept. 6-14. Visit the Ag Learning Center (Stub's Stable Building) just west of the small animal barn and connect with ISU Extension staff from northwest Iowa. ISU Extension Field Specialist and County Directors will be on hand to share information, answer questions, and visit with you about what ISU Extension can do for you...

Fair Treasure Hunt ready to roll (09/05/08)
Clay County fairgoers will have an opportunity to find out just how much they know about agricultural exhibits at the fair, and also have a chance to win great prizes with the second annual "Clay County Fair Ag Treasure Hunt." Visitors will have a chance to pick up a treasure hunt form from any of the fair information centers on the grounds. ...

Bogenrief to design ICCC sculpture (09/05/08)
When the doors to a new facility on the Iowa Central Community College campus open next July, work from local artists will be featured in it. Jesse Bogenrief of Bogenrief Studios in Spencer has been commissioned to complete an indoor sculpture for the Bio-Science Health Science Center on the Fort Dodge campus...

4-H non-livestock projects displayed at the State Fair (09/03/08)
The following Clay County 4-H members had non-livestock projects selected to represent the county at the Iowa State Fair. The exhibits were judged in Des Moines and exhibited throughout the run of the event. They will also be on display at the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Clay County Fairgrounds during the Clay County Fair...

Ag Equipment Parades showcase best of farm machinery at fair (09/03/08)
Agricultural Equipment Parades will line the fairgrounds for three days during the 2008 Clay County Fair. The parades will be featured on the first Saturday and Sunday of the fair, September 6 and 7, and the last Friday, September 12. All parades will begin at 11 a.m. and entries will be announced in the KICD Courtyard...

ISU Extension Connections at the Clay County Fair (09/02/08)
The public is invited to make an ISU Extension Connection during the 2008 Clay County Fair, Sept. 6-14. Visit the Ag Learning Center (Stub's Stable Building) just west of the small animal barn and connect with ISU Extension staff from northwest Iowa. ISU Extension Field Specialist and County Directors will be on hand to share information, answer questions, and visit with you about what ISU Extension can do for you...

2008 Clay County graduates score above national average on ACTs (09/02/08)
While average scores on the ACT college entrance exam dipped slightly for the high school class of 2008 as the number of students taking the exam on the national scene jumped by 9 percent compared to last year, students' composite scores increased slightly in Iowa...

Clay County Growers annual field day (08/29/08)
Following a steak dinner, the 2008 Clay County Growers' "field day" featured Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Iowa State University College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, Dr. Palle Pedersen, an ISU soybean specialist, plot manager Dave Hessman and Paul Kassel, an ISU Extension area agronomist, as speakers Thursday evening in the Clay County Regional Events Center. ...

ILCC's Estherville campus points to environmental studies (08/21/08)
The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees convened Tuesday on the Estherville campus and learned about the long-time success of the Environmental Studies program. Professor Gary Phillips was introduced to the trustees by Executive Dean Mary Larscheid of the Estherville campus...

Living History Farms sells plot to developer (08/14/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- Living History Farms has sold 40 acres of its land to create an endowment that would help finance the museum's operations. Polk County Recorder records show the sale was finalized at the end of July to S&S Heritage Park LLC, which paid nearly $7.2 million for the property...

Soybean producers invited to Everly event (08/05/08)
Interested farmers from Crop District 1 in northwest Iowa are invited to hear from two Iowa State University (ISU) experts at a special event sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the Iowa Pork Producers Association on August 19. The event, which is part of ISA's All in a Day's Work program, will feature ISU Climatologist Elwynn Taylor talking about crop weather in 2008 and beyond and Professor of Economics Dermot Hayes on balancing food and fuel and the prospects for pork exports...

Public land grazing could be allowed (07/25/08)
Gov. Chet Culver on Thursday announced steps that the Iowa Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation are taking to assist farmers affected by this year's flooding and severe weather. The governor said he will encourage the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to consider the value of haying and grazing as an alternative to burning and for control of brush invasion into grassland areas...

Third Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute set for Aug. 3-8 (07/16/08)
The first week of August will be filled with young people - middle-school and college students - learning about entrepreneurship in the Iowa Lakes Corridor region. The third Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute will take place Aug. 3-8 at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory on West Lake Okoboji. Thirty-two students from the Regents universities, Buena Vista University and Iowa Lakes Community College will participate in advanced study of entrepreneurship that will include an entrepreneurial simulation,...

Lawmakers look to free up grazing land (07/09/08)
Policy-makers in Des Moines and Washington, D.C., are looking for some alternatives to flooded pastureland throughout the state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released Conservation Reserve Program acres for grazing in Iowa's Presidential Declared Disaster counties because of flooding. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley wrote to Secretary Ed Schafer last month asking for the early release...

Soybeans decline as warm weather boosts planting (06/24/08)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Soybean prices declined Monday as dry Midwest weather allowed farmers to resume planting after massive flooding that engulfed fields and drove agriculture futures to record highs. Other commodities traded mixed, with crude oil gaining and gold, silver and copper prices falling...

Around Campus (06/02/08)
Missouri State University recently awarded scholarships to incoming students for the 2008-09 academic year. These students were selected from those who applied based on their ACT (American College Test) scores, standing in graduating class and leadership shown in the community and school activities...

Supervisors race features six candidates (05/31/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff Republicans have a choice on the ballot as the party tries to find two nominees for a pair of available seats on the Clay County Board of Supervisors. Incumbent Del Brockshus of Spencer is near the end of his fourth term. He has filed to run again...

2008 Clay County Pork Producers scholarships awarded (05/30/08)
The Clay County Pork Producers recently awarded eight high school seniors with scholarships totaling $4,200. These scholarships, which are awarded at the beginning of the second semester of college, were awarded to: Heather Clark, the daughter of Steve and Jolene Clark of Hartley. She is a graduate of Clay Central/Everly (CCE) High School and plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa and major in biology...

Werk to join the Clay County Fair Staff (05/28/08)
Robyn Werk, a West Central Minnesota native and recent South Dakota State University graduate, will take on the position of assistant to the secretary manager of the Clay County Fair. Werk graduated with a degree in agriculture journalism and a minor in animal science...

Beach Monitoring at State parks (05/28/08)
The Iowa DNR began monitoring the water quality at Iowa's 37 state beaches on May 19th and will continue to do so through the month of September. In additon to the state parks being monitored, 60 county-and-city run beaches will begin monitoring water quality as well...

Helpful tips on how you can lose weight and keep it off (05/20/08)
Losing weight seems to be everybody's goal. We all want to look better, feel healthier and ward off illness. However, for most people losing weight is a huge struggle and keeping it off is an even bigger problem. Research shows that almost 95 percent of repeat dieters fail and ultimately regain any weight they initially lost...

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