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ISU Extension & Outreach Dickinson County

FEBRUARY 2017 ISSUE

After reading “A Look at 10 Food Trends for 2017” from the ISU Extension AnswerLine, I couldn’t resist sharing. Hope you enjoy these insights from Marlene Geiger. For similar posts, please visit https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/

If you like to keep up with food and nutrition trends or practices, here are some ‘expert’

predictions of what we will likely see more of in 2017. In their ‘crystal bowl’ they see:

1. Sunflower protein becoming the protein powder mainstay. Sunflower protein is easier to digest than other protein powders and is soy- and dairy-free making it nearly

perfect for any diet.

2. Watermelon water rivaling coconut water for hydration and antioxidants. Watermelon water offers a refreshing taste and is packed with lycopene, potassium and

natural sugar making it a great post-workout cooler or alternative to alcohol.

3. Butter making a comeback. In light of scientific studies that point to the dangers of artificial butters and margarines, butter contains no chemicals and takes less to satisfy

the appetite. In small amounts, butter is now considered a healthy food.

4. Natural sweeteners replacing sugar. Honey and natural syrups will take the place

of processed sugar in many prepared foods.

5. Soups rivaling smoothies as the complete meal. Besides the social element of sitting down and slowly eating soup, soups offer more fiber and whole foods that are often lost in juicing. The soup trend is also touted as part of the minimalism social

movement.

6. Natural fats favored over low-fat. “Good”, non-saturated fats in small portions like those found in avocados & nuts provide essential nutrients for energy &brain function and

are replacing the ‘low-fat’ trend of many years.

7. Exotic all-fruit concoctions becoming the new dessert. These new desserts are offering combinations of Asian and Indian fruits that may

be new to the American palate and with them come added nutrition, less sugar, and less saturated fat.

8. Bowls replacing plated meals. Again, a product of the minimalism movement, bowls offer an entire, simple meal in a single receptacle at

home or in fine restaurants—one bowl, one meal. Recipes and combinations are popping up everywhere.

9. Mexican, Caribbean, and Filipino cuisines replacing heavy and fat-laden corporate chains. Authentic food from these regions or in fusion form offer countless, lower-calorie meal ideas

for those who want to eat right and not pack on the pounds.

10. Waste reduction (and waist reduction) becoming the norm. The food industry is committed to reducing portion sizes and to composting and donating food that otherwise would be waste as everyone ponders sustainability, the environment, and the long-term health of one’s self and the

planet.

Contact Us

ISU Extension & Outreach Dickinson County 1600 15th Street, Spirit Lake, IA 51360 (712) 336-3488 xdickinson@iastate.edu

In this Issue:

4-H Happenings Grab & Go For Emergencies Organizing Records for Senior Living Annie’s Project Starts in Sibley Upcoming Agriculture Programs Farm Management Planning Advice

Food Trends for 2017!

ISUEO — Dickinson County

Applications for the 4-H College Scholarships are due February 1st. Over 90 scholarship opportunities are available and over $90,000 to be awarded.

Scholarship listings, descriptions, and application forms are available on the State 4-H Foundation page here: https://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/index.cfm?nodeID=31466&audienceID=1

Regional Youth Beef Bonanza — February 4

Market Beef Verification Reminder — February 1

Poultry Picker Workshop — February 11

Iowa 4-H College Scholarship Reminder — February 1

Mark Your Calendars! February brings back the Annual Northwest Iowa Beef Bonanza!

Come and talk with veterinarians about calving, reproduction, and veterinary feed

directives (VFDs). Learn about Advocating for Agriculture and participate in activities

like Show Me the MooLa and more! This event is a fun way to fulfill your FSQA

Certification Requirement for the year! Check out the Beef Bonanza Flyer for details.

Join the fun on Saturday February 4, at the ILCC Campus in Emmetsburg from 9:45 AM

– 3:00 PM. Cost is $5 for 4-H and FFA youth. Call for more information. 712-336-3488

Plan now to attend the Annual Poultry Picker Workshop here at the Dickinson County

Fairgrounds on Saturday, February 11th from 10M—NOON.

The committee plans to have hands-on activities and information to share to make

the workshop fun and educational for all. Bring your parents and friends along.

Additionally, this workshop meets the FSQA (Food Safety Quality Assurance)

requirements for exhibiting at the fair, and fulfills your workshop requirement.

Check out the February 4-H Newsletter and the ISU Dickinson County web page for more details.

For those 4-H members that weighed in market beef animals this year, remember, you need to go into your 4honline account and verify those animals. The Extension staff have input the information, but it is your responsibility to check that that everything is correct… such as weights, tag number, left ear/right ear, county born and raised, heifer or steer, etc. The statewide access to market beef information in 4honline locks on February 1st.

ISUEO — Dickinson County

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you had to leave your home suddenly? What would you grab if you only had minute to escape? Devastating disasters like a flood are vivid reminder of life’s uncertainty. This seminar will help you learn how to make your own Grab-and-Go File Case. The program is designed by ISU Finance Specialists and offered at the convenience of your own computer with a lunch and learn format.

Register and receive log on instructions and materials for the program. The cost is only $5. Click on the Log On & Learn Flyer for details.

Grab-And-Go For Emergencies Seminar — February 1

Annie’s Project is the agricultural business education program

that empowers farm and ranch women who want to be more

knowledgeable about their agricultural enterprises.

Women learn best with and from other women, and Annie’s

Project takes advantage of that fact by creating a comfortable

and supportive learning environment focused on the best farm

business management practices. Course participants will learn

effective strategies to make good decisions in five key

management areas including financial, human resources, legal,

marketing, and production topics.

Check out this Annie’s Project Link for course information and online registration, or call the Osceola Co. Extension

Office at 712-754-3648. Registration Deadline is February 16, 2017.

Organizing Records for Senior Living — February 22 This FREE program is being held at Keelson Harbour on February 22nd at 2PM and

is designed for anyone wanting to declutter their home paperwork, such as: tax

papers, insurance files, banking records, receipts, and more.

It is especially helpful for those moving into smaller living spaces and needing to

make decisions on what to keep and what to toss. ● Learn how to get your

personal financial and business papers well organized. ● Find ways to save time

and money with organized records. ● Get advice on what papers to keep and what to toss. ● Ask family or friends to

join you. ● Presenter—Jan Monahan, ISU Human Sciences Specialist, Family finance

Click Here for a complete brochure. Call (712) 336-3488 to register. This will help insure seating and materials.

Annie’s Project Starts in Sibley — February 23

ISUEO — Dickinson County Upcoming Agriculture Programs

ISUEO — Dickinson County

ISUEO Video Explains Mediation Process for Farmers Facing Financial Difficulties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status,

religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination,

write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

When confronted with on-farm hardship, there are ways for farmers to seek help to remedy these situations. Medi-ation is an option available to farmers as they work with their creditors to find a mutually beneficial solution to a delinquent secured agricultural debt of $20,000 or more.

“As the farming community has worked through several years of lower commodity prices, some farmers have seen their balance sheets erode and financial stress has increased, leading to financial problems,” said Chad Hart, associ-ate professor in economics and extension grain markets specialist at Iowa State University. “Farm mediation pro-vides a confidential approach to negotiate settlements to financial disputes that allows all parties to come together to construct a plan to settle the financial issues.”

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has partnered with Iowa Mediation Service to create "Understanding Farm Mediation," a video providing information and tips to help farmers better understand the mediation process.

“Ensuring farmers know how to navigate difficult financial situations is critical to their success,” said John Lawrence, director for Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach at Iowa State University. “ISU Extension and Outreach is committed to providing education and resources to help farmers manage all aspects of their farm busi-ness.”

While mediation is available should it be needed, ISU Extension and Outreach provides financial resources to help farmers create a financial plan for their operation.

The Iowa Concern Hotline provides free legal information to both rural and urban Iowans. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-800-447-1985.

The Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation provides information about the application of developments in ag-ricultural law and taxation.

Farm Financial Associates are available to provide a no-cost look at a farm’s complete financial situation. Ag Decision Maker is a decision-oriented agricultural business website with articles and other information

written by ISU Extension and Outreach economists and farm management specialists. The Beginning Farmer Center helps inform and support those who are getting started in farming. It also works

with established farmers on succession planning for when they leave the industry.

Dickinson County 1600 15th Street Spirit Lake, IA 51360