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Fertilizer costs jolt farm economy

Q: What can be done to lower fertilizer costs? A: As a farmer-lawmaker, I’m proud to serve as an outspoken advocate for family farmers. When there’s a natural disaster or headwinds in the farm economy, I raise the volume for rural America at the policymaking tables. At my annual 99 county meetings, I’m hearing from family farmers across Iowa about financial hardship with high input costs and low commodity prices. The cost of fuel and fertilizer is hammering thin operating margins. Farmers aren’t able to dictate the selling price for their commodities. Many sure find it ...

Beacon of Hope remains steadfast in its mission

What is a real homeless shelter? Well, for that, we should go back to the first one in America. The Gospel Mission movement was rooted in Christian evangelism, providing food and shelter to “rescue” individuals, particularly those struggling with alcoholism. In 1872, Jerry McAuley founded the first North American rescue mission after a transformative personal experience. The Helping Hand for Men was located at 316 Water St. in New York City. Today, it still exists as The Bowery Mission. McAuley’s impactful ministry led to the establishment of hundreds of rescue missions across ...

Honoring the heart of health care: Our nurses

As we celebrate National Nurses Week, I want to take a moment to recognize our incredible nurses who are dedicated to delivering exceptional care to our patients, each other and the communities we serve. I’ve been a nurse for 33 years and am honored to serve as the chief nursing officer for UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. I’m so proud of the more than 450 nurses who provide care in our clinics, hospital and home care services every day across our community. Our nurses show up when fear and uncertainty are present, advocate for patients in need and offer comfort even when healing ...

RCF residents ready to work, ready to learn

I’m writing this because I believe our town needs to see what’s actually happening behind the scenes of our local support programs. We hear a lot about second chances, but I want to tell you what that looks like in the real world. My name is Jesse Edwards, and I’m writing as a roommate and peer to a man named Mark Pierce — but more importantly, I’m writing for all the guys at the Residential Correctional Facility (RCF) who are working just as hard to prove their worth. I’ve watched Mark and others like him put in the work every single day. These guys aren’t finished ...

When Main Street thrives, so does America

For 250 years, our nation has been built on innovation coming from Main Street storefronts, rows of rolling corn fields, and mechanic shop workbenches. These unassuming yet extraordinary spots in every corner of America have been essential to helping our nation thrive and to setting so many of our citizens up to live the American Dream. I’ve witnessed the American spirit of innovation up close while crisscrossing Iowa from the Mississippi River to the Missouri River over the last decade. From small town grocers like the folks at Dutchman’s Store in Cantril who built a thriving ...

Honoring the heart of health care: Our nurses

As we celebrate National Nurses Week, I want to take a moment to recognize our incredible nurses who are dedicated to delivering exceptional care to our patients, each other and the communities we serve. I’ve been a nurse for 33 years and am honored to serve as the chief nursing officer for UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. I’m so proud of the more than 450 nurses who provide care in our clinics, hospital and home care services every day across our community. Our nurses show up when fear and uncertainty are present, advocate for patients in need and offer comfort even when healing ...