Paton-Churdan enrollment growing

Highest enrollment in 13 years Paton-Churdan started the school year with 222 students which, according to principal Annie Smith, is the highest enrollment in the district in 13 years. Enrollment has grown by 19 students this year, requiring the school to borrow desks from nearby Glidden-Ralston. “Kid-wise, we’re busting at the seams,” Smith told the P-C school board at its…

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Savior on the prairie

~a column  by Colleen O’Brien “What had been a landscape for thousands of years is now a postage stamp.” Conservationist Erin Van Waus said this about the Iowa prairie, or more accurately, what’s left of the Iowa prairie. Erin works as land stewardship director for Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, whose broad mission is to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water…

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Fair fundraising auction a success

Nets $110,575 for capital improvements The Greene County Fair Association usually doesn’t appreciate rain falling on its events, but last Tuesday evening, Sept. 9, was different. Association secretary Doug Hawn credits the rainy weather with boosting attendance at the first annual auction fundraiser. The event, which started with a meal and featured an auction of ag supplies and services, raised…

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Farm Bureau members discuss Farm Bill implementation, biotech in DC

A cohort of 23 Iowa Farm Bureau leaders spent a few days away from their farms to visit Capitol Hill and their elected officials during the annual Ag Leaders policy trip Sept. 9 – 11 to discuss key farm issues, including ditching EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, maintaining the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), supporting additional international trade opportunities, and…

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