Eastern Iowa Farmer Fall 2017

water quality
contributes to what is now the largest
“dead zone” ever measured in the
Gulf of Mexico.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Association reported in early
August that scientists had found an
area approaching 9,000 square miles
– roughly the size of New Jersey –
where decomposing algae had so
completely depleted oxygen levels
that all marine life had been suffocated.
Scientists believe a wet spring resulted
in heavier stream flows, which
carried even more fertilizer and
manure from farm states down the
Mississippi River, accelerating algae
growth in the Gulf.
Of course, that pollution has many
sources: leaky septic systems, weedand-feed
that keeps suburban lawns
free of dandelions, chemicals that
make Iowa’s more than 30,000 acres
of golf courses green and lush, and
even municipal wastewater treatment
plants. Most of those city systems
are not capable of filtering out
nitrogen and phosphorus, according
to Adam Schnieders of the state’s
Department of Natural Resources.
But those sources don’t compare to
what comes from Iowa’s 24 million
acres of cropland in production,
which is two-thirds of the state’s land
mass, according to Matt Lechtenberg
of the Iowa Department of Agriculture
and Sustainable Living.
Kamyar Enshayan, director of the
Center for Energy and Education
at the University of Northern Iowa,
wrote recently in the Des Moines
Register that public officials fail to
understand “the urgency of polluted
streams, the urgency of soil erosion
and contaminated drinking water,
or the urgency of Iowans’ well-being
Eastern Iowa Farmer Photo / larry lough
Clinton County farmer Dennis Campbell describes a
part of his operation to Congressman Dave Loebsack
(in hat) during a recent tour of Campbell’s farm near
Grand Mound.
You, too, can be
part of the
Eastern
Iowa
Farmer!
Call 563-652-2441 today to reserve
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Farmer
The Eastern Iowa Fall 2016
Fair Families:
Tradition, togetherness
and fun build strong
bonds for 4-H’ers.
Bright idea: Area
farmers are making the
most of natural energy,
including solar power.
New Guy: Young grower
takes the reins to the family
land as the eighth generation.
Where it goes: After
the harvest, eastern Iowa
grain travels in many ways
to many places.
Penciling
PROFIT
in a lean year
Local farmers explain how they are
protecting their cash flow
couNtry
cookiN’:
Farm cooks show
you how it’s done!
Four pages of photos featuring your
PLuS: agriculture friends and neighbors!
A Publication of Sycamore Media
Farmer
The Eastern iowa Spring 2017
Managing
Your
SoiL
Your farming neighbors share
their strategies for protecting
and maximizing their dirt
Business profile: ADM – a look at what
they do with your corn inside that giant plant.
An app for that: Area farmers have
found many solutions in the palm of their hand.
Growing money: Micro loans are now
playing a big role for many small operations.
Life lessons: What my grandpa taught me
and other valuable lessons learned from eastern
Iowa’s farming veterans.
PLUS: agriculture friends and neighbors!
Four pages of photos featuring your
A Publication of Sycamore Media
PLUS:
Four pages
of photos
of your friends
and neighbors!
THE NEXT
GENERATION
A Publication of Sycamore Media
Families and farming have always gone
together in Eastern Iowa. Careful planning
is key to keeping it that way.
Rite of passage: Detasseling
has been around since the late 19th
century and is still a rite of passage
for many teens in Eastern Iowa.
Legislation and ag: A look
at state and local issues that affect
agricultural interests in your
legislative district.
Just can it: Enjoy the fruits
of your garden labors year-round
with tried-and-true preserving
methods from local cooks.
Sycamore Media
Farmer
The Eastern Iowa Fall 2017
Mail: 108 W. Quarry St., Maquoketa, Iowa, 52060-2244 Phone: (563)652-2441
EIFarmer@sycamoremedia.net
42 Eastern Iowa Farmer | fall 2017