The Graphic - Advocate Graphic - Advocate

June 27, 2012 Local News
The Graphic-Advocate 13
Stewart Memorial Community Hospital
Employees Donate to American Cancer Society
In a troubled economy, employees
at Stewart Memorial Community
Hospital (SMCH) have found
increasingly innovative ways to
raise funds for Relay for Life. As a
result, SMCH’s employee team was
able to top previous years’ donations
to help fight cancer.
In addition to team t-shirt sales,
the hospital team held a variety of
different fundraisers throughout
the year to raise money including
selling homemade Jane Johnson
Apple Bars, homemade Donna
Westcott Cinnamon Rolls and
cookies baked by the SMCH Dietary
department. They also hosted
contests including a soup cook off,
a Super Salad Showdown, and a
traveling Christmas Grinch during
which departments pooled funds in
order for the Grinch to be housed in
another competing department.
The check for $1,800 was
presented to the American Cancer
Society by members of SMCH’s
employee team at the 2012 Relay
for Life, held on June 15. Plans have
already begun for the 2013 Relay
for Life in hopes of increasing the
donation amount.
Stewart Memorial Community Hospital employees present a check totaling $1,800.00 to the American Cancer Society at the June 15th
Calhoun County Relay for Life.
Ice cream social
Ice cream provided by United Bank in Lake City was part of the Progressive Supper event on June
21. (Graphic-Advocate photo by Ken Ross)
Dr. David Frate, internal medicine at Stewart Memorial Community
Hospital, gave opening remarks at the Relay for Life.
Wine testing
at Jubilee
A Jubilee Winefest on
June 21, featured tasting
of wine produced at three
area wineries. Visitors
were also invited to
sample gourmet popcorn
produced at a Calhoun
County farm. (Graphic-
Advocate photo by Ken
Ross)
Informational Workshop
Offered in Sac County on
July 30 at 1:30 p.m.
More than half of Iowa farmland
is rented. In some Iowa locations,
as much as 70 percent of the land is
farmed by farmers who don’t own
the land.
Iowa farmland values increased by
as much as 35 percent during 2011.
Farmland cash rental rates Iowa
increased for the 2012 crop year by
nearly 20 percent over 2011 – and up
to 55 percent over the past five years.
These are just a few reasons why
Iowa State University Extension and
Outreach offers workshops designed
to answer questions that land owners
and tenants have about farmland
leasing and land values.
A workshop will be held at Sac
County Extension and Outreach
office Monday,
July 30, at 1:30 p.m. The address
is 620 Park Avenue in Sac City. Call
712/662-7131 to sign up.
Melissa O’Rourke, ISU Extension
Farm & Agribusiness Management
Specialist will present information
about a wide range of topics related
to farmland values and leasing.
O’Rourke is a licensed attorney
with extensive experience in working
with farm, ranch and agribusiness
interests.
In several counties – Ida,
Carroll, Crawford, Monona and
Sac – workshop presentations will
include Shane Ellis, a new Farm
& Agribusiness Management
Specialist for ISU Extension based
in Carroll.
Trends in Farmland Leasing
“I’ve had numerous contacts
this year from persons who have
questions about farmland values and
rental rates,” says O’Rourke.
“Due to the increases in land values
and cash rents, there is definitely a
heightened interest in farm leasing
arrangements,” O’Rourke noted.
“We expect significant attendance at
these meetings.”
O’Rourke noted several other
trends in farmland ownership and
leasing.
“Due to the volatility of land and
commodity markets, we have seen
had increased inquiries regarding
flexible cash lease methodologies.
For this reason, our 2012 workshops
will have more focus on these
kinds of arrangements. We will
work through examples of various
strategies for flexible cash leases.”
Another area O’Rourke noted
is the increasing age of farmland
owners.
“ISU Extension research indicates
that the average age of farmland
owners continues to rise,” stated
O’Rourke. “Fifty-five percent of
Iowa’s farmland is owned by people
over the age of 65, while 28 percent
of the land is owned by individuals
over age 75. We also find that
children and surviving spouses of
farmers are less likely to continue
operating the farm themselves.
That’s a major reason why farmland
leasing continues to increase.”
O’Rourke explained that
workshop attendees will receive a
comprehensive workbook packed
with information about land values,
leasing and different types of farm
lease arrangements. “Everyone
should leave with a heightened
understanding of farmland leasing.”
Registration Information
A registration fee of $20 per
person is charged to cover costs
and includes a 90-page workbook.
Please pre-register by calling Sac
County Extension and Outreach at
712/662-7131 prior to the meeting.
Walk-ins may attend for a $25 fee at
the door.
More information about this and
other farmland leasing meetings in
Iowa can be found at ISU Extension’s
Ag Decision Maker website: www.
extension.iastate.edu/agdm
Manson holds celebration
The annual Crater Days in Manson featured a parade along with other activities. (Graphic-Advocate
Photo by Ken Ross)
Museum holds event
The Calhoun County Museum in Rockwell City hosted an antique tractor show and lunch on
Sunday. (Graphic-Advocate Photo by Ken Ross)
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Farmland Leasing
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