Agriculture, Food And Beverage Manufacturing

Poet to expand in Emmetsburg (02/18/10)
While the parking lots outside resembled pickup truck sales lots, the ballroom featuring Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook keynote speakers inside the Clay County Regional Events Center touted the simultaneous messages of using alternative energy, making money, creating jobs and reducing the nation's dependency on foreign oil this week. ...

Old classroom becomes new home (01/12/10)
Lois Beck is excited about her new home in a Spencer historical landmark. Eager to move Friday afternoon into her brand new apartment in the former Spencer Middle School building, she's already splurged on a new television set to accentuate the space's open floor plan. She's also purchased a Christmas tree, which she plans to proudly display in her dwelling's large set of windows next holiday season. Beck will formally claim the space as her own when her Candlewick and Copenhagen Christmas plates, and the cup and saucer collection started years ago by her mother-in-law are placed in her daughter's former classroom. Cheryl Hurst, Beck's daughter, taught English in the same room that has now been remodeled into her mother's apartment. ...

Cycle Country chairman resigns amidst allegations of misappropriated funds (01/12/10)
Cycle Country Accessories Corp. announced Friday that it uncovered a misappropriation of funds by its Chairman of the Board of Directors L. G. (Bob) Hancher, Jr. The discovery occurred in connection with the audit of the company's financial statements for the period ending Sept. ...

Area producer receives Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Award (01/07/10)
AMES -- A cattle producer and livestock auction market operator was named the 2010 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award winner for his focus on animal care practices. Morris Larson, Spencer Livestock Sales, of Spencer, was honored at the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention in Ames on Jan. 5...

Service with a smile (12/26/09)
The dedicated worker mold was broken with Kathryn Johnston and Chuck Elliott. Together, the two have accumulated 88 years serving customers at the Johnston Automotive store in downtown Spencer. ...

Steinkamp, Barnett taking the work out of gardening (12/22/09)
Tyler Steinkamp has enjoyed gardening and producing vegetables since second grade. Michael Barnett, who grew up with not a lot of conducive gardening space available, realized last summer while helping his friend pick produce from his yard that he also truly enjoyed the hobby. The two Spencer High School alumni, now South Dakota State University (SDSU) students, have co-partnered to form Personalized Produce LLC. The aim of their business venture is to allow Spencer residents the fruits (or vegetables) of their labor this upcoming growing season. ...

La Chiesa ready for first full weekend (12/19/09)
Husband-and-wife team Jeremy and Trisha Neppl know a healthy share of customers will come in early on to see the remarkable transformation of an 111-year-old church into a sophisticated Italian restaurant. They hope the food and service leads to many happy returns...

36 ag jobs saved by union vote, department to look at program cuts (12/08/09)
As he trudges through the mud at his farm east of Spirit Lake, one has to wonder if Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is drawing comparisons to the muddy condition of Iowa's finances. "We'll do what we have to do," he says with a glint of optimism. "Our businesses and citizens in the state are hurting because of the current economy, so obviously the state has less money as well."...

Lovans return to mall with Southpark Chinese (11/24/09)
Some familiar faces have returned to the food court area at the Southpark Mall. Chances are, Spencer residents who like Chinese food have tasted the work of Bea and Toun Lovan already. They have been operating a restaurant at one location or another in Spencer for the past 14 years...

Growers Association finishes soggy harvest (11/21/09)
Dave Hessman knows. He doesn't have to be out on the golden, combine-scraped ground six miles south of Spencer. Alan Patten of Webb was busy in his John Deere combine and Glen Chenhall of Spencer was carving another row in his Case International. In fact, about eight volunteers were helping to get the corn harvest out of the 75-acre test plot on the kind of sun-splashed November day that's cool enough for a sweatshirt, but warm enough the leave the coat at home...

Historical delivery honors Anderson patriarch (11/10/09)
While Saturday afternoon's warmer-than-normal temperatures had many northwest Iowans raking leaves or making a strong attempt to complete the 2009 harvest, Kayla and Rudy made a historic trip to the First Cooperative in Marathon. Their 3 1/2 mile trek to town had family friends and photographers alike lined along the route marking their progress. ...

Holiday Family Adoption under way (11/10/09)
The Holiday Family Adoption program kicks off today with the first listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Neighbors rally to help one of their own (11/07/09)
The fact that Iowans tend to help one another when trying situations arise is evident once again this harvest season. Clay County farmer Lindell "Pete" Petersen suffered a stroke the evening of Oct. 25, but you couldn't tell it by his cattle or fields, which are being tended to and harvested by friends and neighbors. ...

Wet harvest advancing, yields looking good (11/07/09)
With grain dryers running nonstop across the state, harvest proceeded in force this week as several dry days finally appeared. The most recent Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service revealed corn harvest for grain had reached an 18 percent completion rating, which was 22 percent behind last year and five days behind the five-year average. ...

Northwest Iowa Soybeans 101 (10/29/09)
After nearly half a day spent on airplanes, a trio of Ukrainian agronomists landed at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, stepping onto U.S. soil for the first time in their lives Sunday. That's when their real adventure began. Volodymyr Ros, Yuriy Lysenko and Oleksander Kulikov, along with translator, Yuriy Petetsky, traveled to Spencer late Sunday after arriving in the states; and Monday morning began a weeklong process of discovery and fact finding with regards to the region's soybean production.. ...

Feeding farmers during harvest (10/22/09)
Area youth wanting to turn farmers' frowns upside down are spreading messages of safety and gratitude at local cooperatives and elevators. ...

Harvest Update: Late start, wet crop drives up prices (10/20/09)
Producers may get higher prices for their harvest this fall, but the late planting start and an early freeze may bring lower yields, according to Chad Hart, a grain marketing economist at Iowa State University. "This frost/freeze within the past couple of weeks did have an impact on yields," he said. ...

The Hotel: Iowa's first Dream Center (10/17/09)
If a local church has its way, The Hotel will become a "dream center" for the area. Rev. Kevin Grimes of DaySpring Assembly announced Friday, "KES Properties LLC, the owner of The Hotel on Grand Avenue, has offered to give us all of the stock in the corporation. ...

Freudenberg-NOK to close Spencer plant (10/14/09)

Local comrades share service (10/13/09)
The mood was jovial among the local veterans who departed Spencer Monday afternoon in a van provided by H&N Chevrolet Buick of Spencer. After submitting applications and patiently awaiting responses from the trip's organizer, each of the seven World War II veterans knew their time had come...

Corn crop looks robust as harvest nears (09/22/09)
Delayed planting in some areas of the Midwest caused some early season concern, but Chad Hart, Iowa State University grain marketing economist said a long growing season may allow crops in many areas to catch up. Paul Kassel, a field agronomist for ISU Extension noted progress in northwest Iowa and said an unusually cool summer should lead to a good corn crop locally...

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. ...

Krause stumps for Grassley's seat at fair (09/15/09)
U.S. Senate aspirant Bob Krause (D-Fairfield) campaigned Saturday at the Clay County Fair. The 59-year-old, who acknowledges he faces stiff odds in his bid to defeat Iowa's senior senator, readily recited the handful of colorful statements his foe has made over the last few months, recited the incumbent's voting record and then forecast "that the winds they are a changing." ...

Egg industry responds to 'Hatchery Horrors' video (09/03/09)
"The footage you are about to see was recorded with a hidden camera at Hy-Line hatchery in Iowa, the world's largest hatchery for egg-laying breed chicks," the narrator begins. Footage follows of chicks being "roughly" sorted by sexers who separate the male chicks from the females. The females have their heads clamped and a portion of their beaks removed by a laser...

As Senate debates, local dealers wait for 'clunkers' payments (08/06/09)
Local car dealership managers acknowledge a bit of confusion and a lot of red tape through the "cash-for-clunkers" stimulus program. They also see a little more traffic on their lots, suggesting at least some aspects of the federal incentive program are gaining traction...

Area farmers planning special 'market' celebration (08/06/09)
For many more years than most of the current members can recall, the Farmers Market has been a part of the Spencer landscape. In recent years, members of the Spencer organization have offered their homegrown produce to area shoppers on Saturday and Wednesday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at the Southpark Mall...

New 3-D printer spurs school, industry partnering (07/28/09)
The addition of a 3-D prototype printer in the Spencer High School (SHS) Tech Ed building is benefiting area industries, while at the same time teaching SHS students marketable skills. Students will be allowed to use it for the first time this upcoming school year. Representatives of Cycle Country, Tecton Industries, Eaton Corp. and Maurer Manufacturing were notified of the Dimension BST1200es printer's arrival in late May. They've been utilizing it ever since.

Elliott to open Mainstreet Market schedule (07/16/09)
Mainstreet Market is returning to the Clay County courthouse square July 16 for the first of five Thursday evenings of live entertainment, fresh produce, art and food. Chad Elliott will perform on the opening night. Now in its fifth year, Mainstreet Market takes place Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. On July 23, it will move downtown for Crazy Days, but the following week it will return to the courthouse square, 215 W. 4th St., Spencer...

Egg company accident claims Alta man (07/14/09)
The Buena Vista County Sheriff's Office on Sunday released the name of a 24-year-old Alta man who died after falling into a semitrailer tanker being loaded with liquid egg product. An investigation at Rembrandt Enterprises is ongoing, but deputies think Israel Garduno Gonzalez may have been working on top of the semi and accidently fell into the tanker at about 7:30 p.m. Friday...

'Help' arrives in Spencer Tuesday (07/11/09)
The "Help is Here Express" bus tour will be in Spencer on Tuesday, July 14, stopping at Spencer Hospital to help uninsured and financially-struggling Iowans access information on programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. The bus tour is part of the partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) -- a nationwide effort sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies -- raising awareness of patient assistance programs among residents who have been facing layoff or a loss of health care benefits in a struggling economy. ...

Van Der Heide named Ranch's top wrangler (07/10/09)
She's a business owner, she's a wife, and she's a mother. And now, she's the top manager in a franchise that includes dining establishments in nine states. Co-owner of the Spencer Pizza Ranch store, as well as its manager, Rachel Van Der Heide admitted that she was stunned when she was presented the Manager of the Year Award at the company's recent summer meeting in Sioux Falls, S.D...

Pietschs to be featured at Sunday's airshow (06/13/09)
While a good portion of the Flagfest weekend activities fall on Saturday, the 26th annual Northwest Iowa Regional Airport Fly-in Breakfast and Airshow remain among the few events that help fill Sunday. This year, Kent and Warren Pietsch - pilots and operators of the Pietsch Airshow will be featured as they take to the air for their comedy act, dead stick act, aerobatic act and performing dual act...

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...

Ver Steeg turns over construction reins (04/25/09)
Ed Ver Steeg recently placed ownership of his construction company's assets in the apt hands of Mark and Cindi Hinton. Circumstances are what prompted the 36-year-old Spencer man, who'd spent the last nine years running his namesake, to let his friends assume responsibility of the charge he loved. Circumstances such as family, job loss, legal issues and perceived growth. Another determining factor was trust. All parties involved in the business transaction are confident their friends, as well as the area at large, will benefit from Ver Steeg Construction becoming Crown Inc.

Blue Collar Comedy Tour's Engvall headed to Fair's grandstand (04/25/09)
Comedic sensation, Bill Engvall, will appear in front of the Grandstands the first Saturday of the Clay County Fair, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12. Engvall, a Texas native, didn't originally aspire to be a comedy star. In fact, he worked as a disc jockey with plans of becoming a teacher. ...

Hanson purchases Lundt & Sears Plumbing & Heating (04/04/09)

Iconic female rock band, Heart, to take stage at the '09 Fair (04/04/09)
Classic rock band Heart, led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18 on the Clay County Fair Grandstand Stage. Formed in Seattle, Heart has often been credited as one of the first mainstream rock bands where women were in complete creative control. ...

It's official: VeraSun now Valero Renewable Fuels (04/02/09)
The Sioux Falls-based ethanol company that made a bright, but brief, splash in northwest Iowa was officially purchased by San Antonio refiner Valero Energy. VeraSun, the country's second largest ethanol producer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October and on Wednesday, a Delaware bankruptcy court approved the sale of an Indiana development site and five VeraSun ethanol plants, including the Hartley location...

Wine Tasting event to benefit People for Pets (03/27/09)
People for Pets, a non-profit animal shelter in Spencer, recently announced its Second Annual Wine Tasting Party at Bogenrief Studios in Spencer. The event has been set from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, April 26. In addition to wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres, the fundraiser will feature live music performed by Lakes area vocalist, Tammy Hamlin. ...

Spencer students participate in 'Kick Butts Day' activity (03/26/09)
Students across Iowa rallied against tobacco Wednesday as they joined thousands of young people nationwide for the 14th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The specially designated day raised awareness about continued tobacco marketing to kids and the need for Congress to crack down on such practices. ...

Cattle expansion to be considered Tuesday (03/24/09)
Residents will have a chance to comment about a beef producer's construction plans Tuesday morning at the Clay County Board of Supervisors meeting. The application, from Jim Christensen and Royal Beef, is part of the state's "master matrix" process. He is approved to for 11,200 head of cattle at his operation, about three miles south of Royal...

There's room at the tables for comedy fans (03/12/09)
Keep your map. Chicago comedian Paul Kelly knows his way around Spencer, Iowa. He's also hoping audience members find their way back to the Clay County Regional Events Center on Friday night, when the Chicago Style StandUps make their return. Tickets are still available for the 8 p.m. ...

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. ...

Duffy to address ag economics (03/04/09)
Dr. Michael Duffy, professor of Economics with the Iowa State University Extension Agriculture Department will speak at the Milford Community Center, beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 5. Duffy's talk, sponsored by Farmers Savings Bank, will focus on the changing dynamics of ag economics with an emphasis on the changing structure of the fertilizer industry...

Families work to save activities (02/24/09)
Youth music programs, the local Future Farmers of America chapter, the boys swim team, debate and mock trial were identified in a list of reductions as the Spencer School District tries to shave about $700,000 from the 2009-10 budget. The district held a public hearing Saturday that drew students and their families in an effort to keep their activities off the chopping block...

Singing the praises of George Washington Carver (02/21/09)
Opera Iowa performed before for third through sixth grade students attending Spencer schools Friday morning at the old high school auditorium. The collective performers told the story: "A Dream Fulfilled - The Saga of George Washington Carver," detailing the rise, in Iowa, of one of the first men to break the color barrier. ...

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. ...

Area search under way for 'Kids Against Hunger' volunteers (02/10/09)
Area volunteers are being sought to take part in a March 7 event that'll not only be fun, but is guaranteed to fill the heart. The service project anticipated to be filled with fellowship will have interested individuals and groups signing up to package meals for Kids Against Hunger...

CCE students: Have business, will sell product (02/07/09)
Clay Central/Everly students in Liz Kardell's Introduction to Business class are learning what it takes to run a business from the ground up. They're evaluating and re-evaluating every decision they make, as well as staying accountable to one another...

Muggabeans opens new coffee shop in Spencer Hospital (01/06/09)
Coffee lovers who have missed stopping at Muggabeans coffee shop formerly located in downtown Milford can look forward to visiting Muggabeans in its new location at Spencer Hospital. Owner Deb Coleman recently closed her Milford shop and opened Muggabeans in a new location, situated on the first floor of Spencer Hospital adjacent to the cafeteria...

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