By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

A snap of cold weather didn’t impact turnout at the Guthrie County REC annual meeting on Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center. More than 260 people braved the cold temperature to receive updates from REC, enjoy a free meal and win prizes. 

Property owners residing in Districts 1, 2 or 3 also had directors up for reelection. Julie Kiley, Jim Mazour and Ron Bristle were all reelected. 

Lucas Obert of Coon Rapids shared stories about the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C. Lucas was chosen to represent all of Iowa’s electric cooperatives as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) youth leadership program. 

A flashlight registration gift was provided to all members in attendance, as was a free membership meal catered by Lidderdale Country Store Catering. Numerous door prizes were also awarded including:

• Black and Decker Electric Knife
• LED Work Light
• Single Flip Waffle Maker
• Boot/Glove Dryer
• 7 Qt Crock Pot
• Google Nest Mini
• 18 Qt Roaster
• Ninja Single Serve Blender
• Instant Pot 6 Qt Pressure Cooker
• Keurig Single Serve
• Combo Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm
• Deep Tissue Massager
• Wireless Weather Station
• Air Pop Popcorn Maker
• George Foreman Smokeless Grill
• Pizzazz Rotating Pizza Oven
• Heated Electric Fleece Throw Blanket
• Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker
• Clothes Steamer
• Oral B Electric Toothbrush
• American Express Gift Cards

According to reports supplied at the meeting, Guthrie County REC built 15.1 miles of overhead line in 2024; added 44 new services; began installing underground line at the third Wambold addition in Stuart that will allow for 42 more residential lots; and acquired a new mini-Bobcat excavator and trailer from Haley Equipment for linework as earmarked in the 2024 capital budget.

In addition, Guthrie County REC started construction at two new substations: Mockingbird substation near Hamlin and Bluejay substation near Perry. These substations add power and reliability to support business expansions in both areas of the service territory.

Guthrie County REC also updated three sets of breakers to reclosers in the Industrial and Diamondhead substations. Reclosers have more capability to capture and remedy outages quickly, reducing the inconvenience for members.

Also noted was the installation of a new Honeywell AMI meter system and the exchange of all active meters in the service territory. The new system updates operations analytics and improves the efficiency and reliability of the electric system.

Guthrie County REC serves more than 4,600 members in Adair, Audubon, Cass, Dallas, Greene and Guthrie counties.

Jeff and Anna Marie Nielsen won the waffle maker.

Michele Crabbs won the Ninja Fit Blender.

Teresa Mowrer won the Google Nest Mini.

Charlie Bilbrey won the electric grill.

REC Board Vice President Joni Rees addresses the crowd.

Lucas Obert of Coon Rapids shares stories about his Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C.

More than 260 members were in attendance at the annual meeting.

REC Secretary and Treasurer Julie Kiley shares financial information.

REC employees Lori Hix and Rebecca Schwartz were recognized for their years of service.

REC Board Vice President Joni Rees recognizes the REC staff.

REC Board President Steve Bireline welcomes the members.

Special to the Times Vedette

To help address a critical shortage of rural veterinarians identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has established a Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program to attract and retain veterinarians in rural Iowa.   

The Iowa Farm Bureau Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program will award four individuals who practice, or will practice, veterinary medicine in Iowa up to $25,000 in loan repayment incentives. IFBF will begin accepting applications in March 2025.  

In 2020, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law to create the Rural Iowa Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program to address the critical veterinarian shortages in rural Iowa communities. IFBF was one of several partners who led the push for the legislation. Since its inception, the state’s loan repayment program has been met with enthusiasm and a growing number of applications. However, with intensified veterinary shortages and the strong demand for existing veterinarian loan repayment programs, additional support and stability for Iowa farmers are necessary.  

“Veterinarians are valuable partners for Iowa’s livestock farmers who prioritize the health and wellbeing of their animals,” Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson says. “IFBF’s establishment of the Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program will assist in addressing the veterinarian shortages in Iowa and guaranteeing future funding incentives, while also advancing the mission of Iowa Farm Bureau to support farm families and rural communities.”  

Due to specific veterinarian shortages identified in Iowa by USDA, and to best align with IFBF’s charitable giving priorities, preference would be given to applicants who are: in their final year of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program; large animal veterinarians and/or those in a shortage area as identified by the UDSA; graduates from an Iowa high school, technical school, college, university and/or institution; and individuals with demonstrated leadership skills, community involvement and/or a commitment to rural Iowa.  

To learn more about IFBF’s Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program or to apply, visit Iowa Farm Bureau Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program.

Special to the Times Vedette

Midwest Partnership will be hosting its 2025 Annual Dinner on Jan. 30 at the Casey Community Building at 104 W. Sherman St. in Casey. Social reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner by Café on the Hill at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be provided. 

The theme is “Sharing the Vision,” and Ryan Moon from Greater Des Moines Partnership will be speaking on the vision for our region. Ryan serves as the Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. In this role, he leads engagement with local, state and federal officials and leads the Government Policy Council to develop and advocate for public policy that generates economic growth, business prosperity and talent development in Greater Des Moines. Ryan, a Casey native, resides in West Des Moines with his wife Haley and their kids, Holden and Reggie. 

In addition, Kwik Star a new business in the region and Cardinal Glass who is celebrating their 50^th year anniversary will also give presentations.  A business update will be presented, as well as the Entrepreneurial Economic Impact Award. 

This dinner is an opportunity for area developers, business and community leaders to gather and  celebrate the success of the region over the past year.

The cost of the annual dinner is $32 per plate or $180 for a table of six. RSVPs are requested by Jan. 24 to Brenda Dudley at (515) 523-1262 or info@midwestpartnership.com. Register online at www.midwestpartnership.com.

Midwest Partnership is a nonprofit organization that is committed to fostering economic growth and prosperity throughout the region. They work closely with communities, elected officials, and stakeholders to facilitate project collaboration. Their primary focus is on retaining, expanding, and attracting businesses to create jobs and improve the quality of life in Adair and Guthrie Counties.

Brenda Dudley is the Executive Director of Midwest Partnership, and Kayla Willms is the Administrative and Marketing Coordinator.  The 2025 board members include:

• Matt Wedemeyer, President, Adair County Supervisor
• Brad Hayes, Vice President, BH Appraisals & Twin Vines
• Renee Jensen, Secretary, Adair City Council
• Brian Johnson, Treasurer, Guthrie County Supervisor
• Kaye Bax, Past Owner of Fontanelle Drug
• Josh Calmer, Active Health Solutions
• Chris Carlson, Guthrie County State Bank
• Marty Doud, First State Bank
• Stacie Eshelman, Greenfield Chamber/Main Street Development
• Cheryl Marks, Rolling Hills Bank & Trust
• Kathy Rohrig, Orient Economic Development
• Scott Tonderum, Greenfield Municipal Utilities
• Holi Weston, Farmers REC

Special to the Times Vedette

Dates for legislative coffees with Sen. Jesse Green and Rep. Carter Nordman have been announced. The Guthrie County Republicans coordinate this, but it is an open event to all who are interested. Coffee and rolls are provided by the host site (Panora Fiber and Guthrie County Farm Bureau). The events take place from 8-9 a.m. on the first Saturday of each February, March and April. Locations are as follows:

• Feb. 1: Panora Fiber, 114 E. Main St., Panora
• March 1: Guthrie County Farm Bureau, 203 N. Fourth St., Guthrie Center
• April 5:  Guthrie County Farm Bureau, 203 N. Fourth St., Guthrie Center