Special to the Times Vedette
A ribbon cutting was held Saturday for a new mural installed on the corner of Main Street and Third Street in Guthrie Center, which is visible to eastbound drivers and pedestrians. The 9-feet by 11-feet mural was created by Kelly Nielsen.
From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Monday that the sign-up for the state’s Crop Insurance Discount Program is now open and available. Farmers who planted cover crops this fall can apply for a $5 per acre discount on their spring crop insurance premiums.
The sign-up period opened on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, and will close on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. Farmers and landowners can enroll by visiting Apply.CleanWaterIowa.org or by contacting their crop insurance agent.
“As cover crop usage in Iowa continues to grow in popularity, the Crop Insurance Discount Program remains effective at encouraging the use of this proven water quality practice,” Secretary Naig said. “We encourage farmers that planted cover crops this fall to visit with their crop insurance agents and get signed up because it can save them money on spring crop insurance premiums. We all benefit when cover crops are used because the practice improves water quality, offers enhanced soil health and adds forage for livestock, among many other agronomic advantages.”
Now in its eighth year, this innovative program is jointly administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA). To date, nearly 2,000 Iowa farmers have enrolled more than 1.2 million acres of cover crops in the program. Iowa’s program has served as a model and has been replicated by USDA as well as the states of Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.
To qualify for the program, the cover crop acres cannot be enrolled in other state or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cost share programs. Some insurance policies, such as Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements, may be excluded. Participants must follow all existing farming practices required by their respective policies and work with their insurance agencies to maintain eligibility.
To learn more and to get signed up, visit CleanWaterIowa.org or contact your crop insurance agent.
Special to the Times Vedette
Midwest Partnership will be hosting its Annual Dinner on Jan. 30. The theme is “Sharing the Vision,” and Ryan Moon from Greater Des Moines Partnership will be the main speaker. 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. For more information, call 515-523-1262 or email info@midwestpartnership.com.
Special to the Times Vedette
The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Jingle and Mingle,” a holiday social, on Dec. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Twin Vines, 2821 Highway 44, Panora.
Special to the Times Vedette
The city of Jamaica will have a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m. at the Jamaica Shelter House. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and listen to Christmas music while seeing the tree be lit.
Special to the Times Vedette
A free showing of “Klaus” will be held at The Fremont Theatre, 124 N. Fremont St., in Stuart on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. “Elf” will also have two free showings with one on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. and another on Tuesday Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. These free showings and others are brought to you by support from a number of area businesses.