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Rooted in farming

By DARCY DOUGERTY MAULSBY yettergirl@yahoo.com DES MOINES — From the time he was three years old, Andrew Lauver was not only “farming the carpet” in his family’s home with his toy tractors; he was getting a glimpse of his future. “I only wanted to be one thing—a farmer just like Dad and Grandpa.” Today, Lauver, 28, is a 5th generation farmer who helps with his family’s farming operation in Calhoun County. He’s also an ag law student at Drake University and the grand prize winner of Firestone Ag’s national Rooted in Farming contest. To commemorate its 75th ...

PF Crop Tour finds varied results

SPENCER—Scouts on the Pro-Farmer Midwest Crop tour estimate an average to above-average corn crop for parts of western Iowa following their tour Aug. 19-23. “The next five weeks are going to be unbelievably critical for this crop,” said Chip Flory, editor emeritus and director of the tour. The western leg of the crop tour stopped in Spencer on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Flory said those five weeks would reveal what the risk and opportunities are for corn and soybean yields. “This isn’t an easy crop to figure out. If we have a perfect five weeks, this corn and soybean crop ...

Grell shows signs of growth

Erica Grell understands that some people might be surprised to see that she owns a roofing company. “It can be a little complicated sometimes,” Grell said from the office of Grell Roofing, 2125 Lainson Ave. “People see me in a male dominated field and judge and maybe assume I ...

There’s no place like home

RODMAN — Many will never understand the relationship between a farmer and his land. The sweat, blood, and hard work a farmer and his family put into making a living off the land and passing a legacy on from generation to generation. Five generations have lived and worked on the farm. ...

Growing Magic

DES MOINES — Nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair, where larger-than-life attractions capture fairgoers’ imagination. The enchantment extended to the Youth Inn this year, where fairgoers could watch a new documentary film recalling how a 520-acre “card” planted in a northern Iowa cornfield in 1988 for Mickey Mouse’s birthday generated international news and acclaim for the Walt Disney Company. It also turned Iowa into the cultural center of the country—if only for awhile that year. “I think there was a little Disney magic there,” said Judy Pitzenberger, who is ...

I a Shoppe opens downtown

Just inside the door at I a Shoppe in downtown Fort Dodge is an antique telephone that was made in Fort Dodge by Monarch Telephone MFG Co. Further into the building are other items made in Iowa, ranging from flower arrangements and jewelry to candles and jams. It’s all part of Laura ...