The “My 4-H. My Commitment.” gala on Feb. 19 at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines raised more than $36,000 for the Iowa State 4-H University Extension 4-H Youth Development program.

Former 4-H’ers and WHO-TV Channel 13 news anchors Erin Kiernan and Sonya Heitshusen served as emcees for the event, which included a plated dinner, live entertainment, as well as silent and live auctions.

An auction of 10 decadent desserts raised more than $4,000, and the purse auction raised more than $2,000.  Thanks to help from Latham’s own Amy Rohe, I’m the proud new owner of that black Coach® purse I had been eyeing!  I justified the purchase because it was a “charitable contribution.”  As a 4-H alum, I considered this purchase to be part of my “commitment” to the organization.  🙂

Alumni and friends of 4-H were recognized by the theme of this year’s gala, “My 4-H. My Commitment.”  The gala was part of the Iowa 4-H Foundation’s year-long “My
4-H. My Commitment.” campaign focused on alumni fundraising and on collecting 4-H stories.

From August 2010 through January 2011, teams of former 4-H’ers from throughout the state and across the country participated in the first “My 4-H. My Commitment.” Campaign.  Top fund-raising honors went to the 1989-90 State 4-H Council, which raised $11,170.94 and earned a table at the gala, as well as a retreat at the 4-H Camping Center in Madrid.  Yours truly is proud to have served on the 1989-90 State 4-H Council, and I’m looking forward to reuniting with fellow council members.

What youth activities and experiences had the most impact on shaping your future?

A recent article in Wallaces Farmer highlighted a new tool called MarketMaker, dedicated to connecting family shoppers with family farmers. Consumers who are interested in finding fresh local products can visit www.agmrc.org and click the MarketMaker link. The program is already available in 17 states and is expecting to add more soon.

MarketMaker allows farmers the opportunity to easily find outlets like farmers markets and grocery stores where they can sell their food products, while allowing family shoppers to search for restaurants, vineyards, dairies, pick-your-own produce locations and more. My own search quickly led me to Hansen Dairy of Hudson, Iowa – a fun stop that I discovered last June while traveling with the Ag-Urban Leadership Initiative.  In fact, I enjoyed that stop so much that I’m planning a return visit there in May with my son’s Boy Scout pack.

Another one of my favorite activities is attending flower auctions at the Cedar Valley Produce Auction in Elma, Iowa.  While traveling there, I enjoy stopping at many of the greenhouses in Floyd, Mitchell and Howard Counties.  It’s always a bonus if I pass by an Amish or Mennonite bakery and score a loaf of home-made bread along the way.

Traveling Iowa’s countryside can be a fun – and tasty – adventure for the whole family.  MarketMaker can help by either allowing you to register your own business or by connecting you with fresh products in other areas.  Click here for the full article.

Unless the Iowa Legislature takes action this session, retailers’ incentive to make biodiesel available at the pumps will end.  This Biodiesel Blended Fuel Credit prompts many retailers to offer the product, so members of the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) met last Wednesday at the Statehouse to ask state leaders for their continued support.

I had the privilege of joining them at the Statehouse as they communicated the following points:

• Based on 2010 numbers, Iowa biodiesel generated an estimated $14 million in tax revenue and 1,100 full-time equivalent jobs in all sectors of the state economy.
• Iowa has 15 biodiesel plants capable of producing 325 million gallons of biodiesel.  Several of the state’s plants are experiencing an increase in sales this year, primarily due to federal energy policies that have created a strong market for biodiesel.
• Other states like Minnesota and Illinois are positioned to capture a majority of the nation’s biodiesel market because they have requirements, tax exemptions and producer credits that make their state’s biodiesel industries extremely competitive.

“If we want Iowa to be the renewable energy capital of the world, the key is to create local markets here at home to help our plants keep running,” said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.  “We appreciate Governor Branstad’s supportive words and look forward to working with him on legislation.”

In addition to renewing the biodiesel fuel credit, the IBB is asking state legislators and the Governor to support an increase in the minimum content of biodiesel.  Biodiesel sold in Iowa can contain as little as 2% blend, so the IBB would like to raise this floor.

Last year’s crop was the third largest ever recorded, however, University of Illinois Ag Economist Darrel Good says it isn’t large enough to meet demand.   The Corn Balance Sheet shows supplies will be so low by the time we harvest the 2011 crop that it will feel like our nation has run out of corn.

There are 10 million more acres available over last year’s total number used, and Good says their allocation will be vital.  A four-way battle for acreage wages between corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton.  Hay prices also are strong by historical standards and may restrain farmer temptations to plant some hay land to row crops.

The battle for U.S. crop acreage this spring is likely to be more intense than anticipated just two or three months ago, says Dr. Robert Wisner, Professor Emeritus, Iowa State University.  As a result, there is plenty of room for the markets to move – and to move quickly.

Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar, “Will the rain ever stop?” Wednesday at noon. The webinar is open to all who are interested in participating, and will be lead by Christopher J. Anderson, assistant director of the Climate Science Program at Iowa State University. He will discuss increasing Iowa rainfall amounts and the implications this precipitation has on the agriculture industry.

A clear trend in the U.S. is the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall in Northeastern and Central States. A recent Wallaces Farmer article stated the long-term impact these weather trends have on the farming community is crucial. Farm management will have to adapt. The agriculture industry will be required to respond with improved genetics, a change in planting and harvest schedules, and more, to help defend seeds against growing precipitation.

To participate in the webinar, visit http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/. To view upcoming topics and speakers for the year, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf.