Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Todd Thorn reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Aug. 14 at 2:15 p.m. on Highway 44. Kolby William Fogarty, 19, of Madrid was driving a 2008 Nissan Titan truck westbound on Highway 44 and swerved to avoid a deer in the roadway, losing control of the vehicle. The truck entered into the north ditch and rolled, coming to rest on its wheels. Damage to the truck is estimated at $15,000. Fogarty was issued citations for failure to maintain control and O.W.I. first offense.  

Special to the Times Vedette

Whiterock Conservancy, 1436 Highway 141 in Coon Rapids, is participating in the monarch watch tagging program and welcomes help in capturing monarch butterflies to tag.  

On Aug. 24 from 10-11:30 a.m., participants can investigate the life cycle of a monarch butterfly, discover how to identify male and female monarchs, study monarch migration and learn how to tag monarchs on their journey south to central Mexico. 

This public program is free. Whiterock has a limited amount butterfly nets that will be provided to catch butterflies for this family friendly event, but participants are also encouraged to bring a butterfly net.

Meet at the Bur Oak Visitor Center, 1436 Highway 141, just east of Coon Rapids, which offers unique prairie walks and butterfly habitat.

This is a great activity for all ages. Wear long pants even if it is hot. Tennis shoes/socks, sunscreen, hats and a water bottle are also recommended. For more information, contact Whiterock Conservancy at 712-790-8221, ext. 2.

Special to the Times Vedette

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon recognized 44 Iowa farm families with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards at the 2024 Iowa State Fair, including Tamara Deal and Mark and Brennen Vogel. The award acknowledges farmers who take voluntary actions to improve and protect our state’s natural resources, including our soil and water, serving as leaders within their communities.

These farm families use cover crops, no-till, wetlands, bioreactors, saturated buffers, grass waterways and many other proven conservation practices that improve water quality, enhance soil health and support the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. These worthy recipients recognize that the benefits of conservation practices extend beyond their farms, and their leadership encourages others to adopt similar conservation practices.

“Farming and environmental stewardship have always gone hand-in-hand,” said Governor Reynolds. “Today, we’re proud to honor farm families who have gone above and beyond, often for generations, to safeguard the land that feeds the world and makes our way of life possible. Congratulations to the 2024 IFELA award winners and thank you for preserving our state’s natural resources for decades to come.”

“Iowa continues to set records for conservation and water quality practice implementation, and this award recognizes our state’s farm families who are leading the way and serving as positive examples for others,” said Secretary Naig. “We are committed to accelerating our state’s water quality efforts in the years ahead and I am confident that Iowa’s farmers and landowners will rise to meet to this challenge.” 

“We take great pride in recognizing these leaders in our farming communities throughout our state who prioritize sound conservation practices,” said Director Lyon. “Their commitment to conservation is paving the way for future generations and inspiring other farmers.”

The winners were chosen by a committee representing conservation and agricultural groups. A total of 821 Iowa farm families have been recognized since the creation of the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2012. A list of previous recipients is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.

The 2024 award recipients, listed alphabetically by last name, are:

Tom and Mary Beth Adam
Keokuk County

 

Green Country Farms LLC
Alec Amundson and Adam Norby
Mitchell County

 

Balderston Farms
Aaron and Dawn Balderston
Linn County

 

Bretz Farms LLC
Michael and Lisa Bretz
Buchanan County

 

Marty and Lisa Danzer
Carroll County

 

Tamara Deal
Guthrie County

 

Divan Farms
Jeff and Haley Divan
Winnebago County

 

Sean and Sara Dolan
Buchanan County

 

Brandt and Stacy Ferry
Shelby County

 

Matt Goodman
Marshall County

 

David and Julie Guthrie Family
Delaware County

 

Steve Henze and Joan Meester
Grundy County

 

Conner and Ashley Hildreth
Calhoun County

 

Jay and Marlowe Jung
Floyd County

 

Jason and Jordan Klinge
Clayton County

 

Kubik Farm
Tama County

 

Hunter Lindgren
Ida County

 

Dallas and Rebecca Linkenmeyer
Howard County

 

Keith Lovrien Farm
Butler County

 

Maxwell Farms
Story County

 

Andy and Lisa Merron
Kossuth County

 

Eric A Miller
Dubuque County

 

Metairie Ltd
Stan and Martha Nelson
Des Moines County

 

Bloomsbury Farm
David and Karen Petersen
Benton County

 

Broken Kettle Feedlot
Plymouth County

 

Kevin Prevo
Davis County

 

David and Mary Robinette
Montgomery County

 

Oaklawn Farms
Leon Schau
Lee County

 

Tony and Shirley Schroeder
Plymouth County

 

David, Amy, Aaron and Ean Scott
Muscatine County

 

Nick and Mary Sennert
Buena Vista County

 

Joseph and Janice Shirbroun
Carroll County

 

Jessob and Jenna Steffen
Clay County

 

Sterling Farms
Wapello County

 

Steve and Sue Anne Stoermer
Clay County

 

Tim and Jana Terwilliger
Humboldt County

 

Eric and Tali Vander Stouwe
Sioux County

 

Tom and Jen Vaske Family Farm
Delaware County

 

Mark and Brennen Vogel
Guthrie County

 

Brent and Cara Wells
Pocahontas County

 

Weston Family Farms
Luke and Alicia Weston
Buchanan County

 

Russell and Beth Winterhof
Cherokee County

 

Brush Creek Henhouse LLC
Mark and Alana Yoder and Sara Yoder
Decatur County

 

Dennis and Ann Youngquist and Timothy and Amanda Youngquist
Sac County

From Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Tomatoes are popular vegetables in the home garden. Most gardeners currently are enjoying their harvests. However, tomatoes are susceptible to a range of disorders that can compromise their quality and yield. In this article, horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach discuss what you can do when you encounter issues with your tomatoes.

Why are my tomatoes cracking?

Fruit cracking is a common issue in tomatoes, often appearing at the top or stem end of the fruit as cracks that radiate out from the stem or circle the stem in concentric rings. Fruit cracking is associated with wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels, such as heavy rain or deep watering after a dry spell, causing rapid water uptake and subsequent cracking. Large beefsteak-type tomatoes are particularly prone to this issue.

To prevent fruit cracking, maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during fruit development. This can be achieved by watering thoroughly once a week during dry periods and using mulch, such as dried grass clippings, straw and shredded leaves to conserve moisture. Additionally, for better results, choose crack-resistant varieties such as Jetstar, Mountain Spring or Mountain Fresh.

Several of my tomatoes are misshapen. Why?

Misshapen (catfaced) fruit may be due to cool weather during fruit set. Exposure to 2, 4-D or similar broadleaf herbicides can also cause misshapen fruit. Catfacing is most common on large-fruited tomato varieties. Affected fruit shows leathery scars, bulges or holes at the blossom end of the fruit. The incidence of catfacing is typically highest on the early maturing fruit and declines during the remainder of the growing season.

A blackish spot develops on the bottom of my tomato fruit. What is the problem and how can it be prevented?

Blossom end rot is the likely cause of the problem. This common problem on tomatoes appears as a brownish-black spot on the fruit’s blossom end (bottom). Secondary organisms invade and cause the fruit to rot. Blossom end rot is most common on the earliest maturing fruit that ripen in July and early August.

Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency in the developing fruit. Wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels impair calcium uptake by the root system of the tomato plant. Excessive nitrogen fertilization may also contribute to blossom end rot.

To prevent blossom end rot, provide consistent moisture to the plants. When dry, water tomatoes weekly with 1 to 1½ inches of water and mulch to maintain soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilization and remove affected fruit to help the plant focus on healthy fruit development. There is no need to apply calcium to the soil as most Iowa soils contain more than adequate calcium levels.

Blossom end rot can also occur on pepper, eggplant, summer squash and watermelon.

My tomatoes are developing white or yellow areas on the sides of the fruit exposed to the sun. Why?

Sunscald on tomatoes appears as white or yellow patches on fruit exposed to extreme heat. These areas eventually dry out, become sunken and can rot due to secondary infections.

Losses due to sunscald can be reduced by growing tomatoes in wire cages. Cage-grown tomato plants provide good foliage protection for the fruit. Also, control Septoria leaf spot and other foliar diseases, which defoliate the plants and expose the fruit to direct sunlight.

My tomato plants are wilting despite adequate rainfall. Why?

Wilting in tomato plants may be caused by Verticillium or Fusarium wilt, soilborne fungi that block water flow through the plant’s vascular system. Symptoms include daytime wilting with recovery overnight that worsens over time, yellowing foliage and eventual plant death. A cut through the lower stem of a dead plant often reveals a brownish discoloration of the vascular tissue.

Nothing can be done for plants that have Verticillium or Fusarium wilt. Plants that die should be removed and destroyed. Crop rotation is of limited value as the vascular wilt fungi may survive in the soil for several years. The best prevention is using resistant cultivars which are marked with V or F following the cultivar name.

Stalk borers are another possibility. Stalk borers are insects that bore into plant stems and can also cause wilting and death. They attack a wide variety of plants, including tomatoes and many weeds that surround the area. Stalk borers are purple and cream-striped caterpillars and are an early-season pest that moves from tall grassy weeds to plants in the garden. An individual stalk borer may go from one plant to another, damaging several plants. The adult is an inconspicuous grayish-brown moth.

Stalk borer-damaged plants may survive when given good care. They are best managed by removing plants that die and controlling tall weeds around the garden. Stalk borers are not easily controlled with insecticides.