Calhoun County Farm Bureau

08/27/2026

District 3 & 4 Young Farmer Day at the Clay County Fair

Young farmers are invited to join us at Grandpa's Barn during the Clay County Fair on Saturday, September 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for an opportunity to connect, network, and socialize with fellow young farmers from across the region.

Attendees can enjoy a complimentary food voucher, redeemable at either the Pork Producers or Cattlemen's Association food stand.

Those interested in exploring one of the fairgrounds' unique historical attractions can sign up for a guided tour of the Historic Train Depot.

Tours are available at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Tours last approximately 15 to 20 minutes and are limited to 6 to 8 participants per tour.

To reserve a spot on a tour, please RSVP to Crystal Schroeder at (712) 389-4334 by September 11.

We look forward to seeing you at the fair!

08/26/2026

Conduct Business with USDA Online

Want the convenience of conducting business with USDA online? Create your Login.gov account today. Then you can view, complete, certify, submit and track applications online for applicable programs.

Login.gov uses one account and password for secure, private access to participating government agencies, including the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

To create your Login.gov account, you’ll need:
• U.S. state or government issued photo ID (driver’s license or U.S. passport)
• Email address
• Secure password (at least 12 characters)
• Desktop or mobile device

Create Your Account
Follow the steps below to create your Login.gov account and tie it to your USDA customer record:
1. Create your Login.gov account at www.farmers.gov/account
2. Complete identity verification
3. Link your USDA customer record

Login.gov can verify your identity online using personal information you submit with an approved U.S. state or government issued photo ID. If you cannot verify your identity through the online process, visit the Palo Alto County FSA office in Emmetsburg to complete the verification process in person.

Linking your USDA Customer Record
If you’ve worked with FSA or NRCS in the past and have a USDA customer record, the system will attempt to automatically link your Login.gov account to your existing USDA customer record.

If you are new to working with USDA, you will need to have a USDA customer record created. This record is sometimes called a Business Partner ID, BPID, or Business Partner Customer Record. After you verify your identity online, you will be taken to a page to fill out and submit a form to begin that process.

If you run into issues linking your customer record, we may need to update existing forms or your contact information on file. Please reach out to the local FSA office for assistance.

Submitted by Darcy Maulsby

08/26/2026

Net Farm Income Drops 53%

Iowa’s agricultural economy is several years into a downturn, with net farm income falling 53% from 2022 to 2024.

Record-high input costs, depressed grain markets and trade uncertainty put mounting pressure on farmers, rural businesses and communities, according to a new joint study by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Iowa State University (ISU) and the Iowa Bankers Association during Iowa Farm Bureau’s Economic Summit.

The study, 2026 Iowa Agricultural Outlook: The Pressure is Rising, finds that negative margins are increasing farmer financial vulnerability across the state. Iowa’s crop farmers are facing a third consecutive year in which costs are generally outpacing prices.

Corn and soybean production costs have increased 37% and 36%, respectively, since 2021, with the largest increases tied to machinery charges and seed, chemical and fertilizer expenses. Crop input costs are expected to remain uncomfortably high due to broader economic uncertainty and ongoing conflicts abroad, adding further pressure to already-tight margins.

“The clearest warning sign is a steady tightening across the farm economy with impacts felt well beyond the farm gate,” said Christopher Pudenz, Ph.D., Iowa Farm Bureau economics and research manager. “Agriculture remains one of Iowa’s largest economic drivers, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the state’s annual GDP, so a prolonged downturn can quietly weaken the workforce, erode the tax base and slow commerce across rural communities.”

The percent of financially vulnerable farms rose from 7.7% in December 2022 to 19% in December 2025. Since farmers rely on yearly operating notes to run their operations, this financial pressure leaves less room for weather, market or policy surprises.

Resilient Iowa farmland values continue to support farmer balance sheets, collateral positions and borrowing capacity. According to the 2025 ISU Land Value Survey, 40% of respondents expect Iowa land values to decline over the next year, while 82% expect land values to increase over a five-year timeframe, reflecting both near-term pressure and longer-term confidence in Iowa farmland.

Several Iowa livestock sectors have provided rare opportunities for positive returns, helping offset deeper losses in parts of the farm economy. The cattle market, in particular, has been one of the lone bright spots in Iowa agriculture, with record estimated monthly cattle feedlot returns in 2025.

Submitted by Darcy Maulsby

08/26/2026

Don’t miss your chance to be on the sidelines when the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa Farm Bureau celebrate ANF (America Needs Farmers) Game Day on October 3! Play the ANF Game Day On-Field Experience for your shot to win 4 game tickets and sideline passes.

Hawkeye fans, get in the game and onto the field by entering to win the ANF (America Needs Farmers) Game Day On-Field Experience!

08/26/2026

Meyer Inducted into 4-H Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Hillaree Meyer of Lorhville, who was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during the 2026 Iowa State Fair!

The Calhoun County Farm Bureau has worked closely with Meyer and other volunteers with the Calhoun County Expo through the years. Hillaree has consistently shared her passion, leadership, and vision to create opportunities for local youth and families.

She has served on the fair board for 28 years and for five years on the Calhoun County Extension Council. She also helps organize the Open Class Show at the Calhoun County Expo and leads The Union 4-H Club.

Alongside her husband, Kelly, Hillaree has also supported the couple’s three sons (Levi, Reid and Dalton) throughout 4-H. She continues to be a strong advocate for the values and opportunities 4-H provides.

Thank you, Hillaree, for your countless hours, unwavering dedication, and commitment to the youth of Calhoun County!

Submitted by Darcy Maulsby

08/26/2026

1936 FB Ad Promotes Bull, Buck

One of the cool things about historical research is you never know what you’ll find. Just ask Darcy Maulsby, a Calhoun County Farm Bureau Director who also serves as the board president of Central School Preservation, the museum in Lake City.

“I was digging through some 1930s-era issues of the Lake City Graphic and Rockwell City Advocate newspapers, looking for information about rural electrification,” Darcy says. “I stumbled across the exchange ads in the Calhoun Farm Bureau News section in the Jan. 9, 1936, edition of the Advocate and saw my grandfather’s name.”

That ad read: “For Sale: One white-faced bull. Coming 2 years old. Weight about 1,100 pounds. Also one buck. Glenn M. Dougherty, Lake City.”

“Glenn is my grandpa,” says Darcy, noting that he died before she was born. “This ad ran about a year and a half before my dad, Jim Dougherty, was born in 1937.”

Glenn and his wife, Katherine, lived on the Dougherty family’s farm in Elm Grove Township, between Lake City and Yetter, Darcy adds. “It’s really fun to find these pieces of history that offer more insights into the history of my family’s Century Farm.”

Submitted by Darcy Maulsby

08/26/2026

“Go Around One More Time”

Champions are made in the barn, not the show ring—a lesson that Doris Lauver learned this summer. Doris, 6, the daughter of Calhoun County Farm Bureau Director Andrew Lauver and his wife, Mary, received Reserve Champion Charolais Intermediate Female honors during the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

Doris and her Charolais “Snow White” spent all summer striving to bring their best to the big fair, Andrew reported.

“Should I go around one more time, Dad?” Doris asked the evening before the Lauvers headed to the state fair, as they worked with their cattle on their farm between Lake City and Rockwell City.

“’Well you’ve done real well tonight. What do you think?’” Andrew replied.

“Mom always says to go one more time, so I’m going to do one more,” Doris announced, as she took Snow White around the practice corral once more.

At the state fair it all came together with a big ribbon, Andrew reported. “This duo is so fun to watch. I learned more from these two this summer than they learned from me. ‘Go one more time’ in whatever you do!”

Submitted by Darcy Maulsby

08/26/2026

Calhoun County Farm Bureau Proudly Supports Vietnam/Iowa Film

Thousands of Iowa veterans who served during the Vietnam War returned home to build lives and careers in agriculture. The Calhoun County Farm Bureau believes it’s important to preserve their stories of service and sacrifice for America.

You’re invited to attend a screening of the documentary film “From Iowa and Back: The Vietnam Era” at the Capri Theatre in Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. This award-winning film tells the stories of Iowans who served in the military during the Vietnam era.

During the Vietnam War (1964–1975), about 115,000 Iowans served in the military. A large number came from farm families. Many veterans found that the independent, purposeful nature of agriculture provided a viable transition back to civilian life after combat.

Iowa filmmaker Jeremy Glazier, who produced “From Iowa and Back: The Vietnam Era,” will be in Lake City for the September 12 showing of the film. The first 50 people who come to the movie will get in free, thanks to the Friends of the Community Memorial Building. Everyone who attends can enjoy free popcorn, courtesy of the Calhoun County Farm Bureau. Free pop is sponsored by the Dougherty family of Lake City. (This is Calhoun County Farm Bureau Director Darcy Maulsby’s family). United Bank of Iowa is also helping sponsor this unique event.

Glazier is interested in interviewing Vietnam-era veterans when he’s in northwest Iowa during the weekend of Sept. 12. To contact Glazier, email him at: [email protected]

Submitted by Darcy Maulsby

08/20/2026

Highlights from the Calhoun County Farm Bureau Member Appreciation Event

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Lake City Country Club on the evening of August 10 for the Calhoun County Farm Bureau’s member appreciation supper.

Pictured:

Calhoun County Farm Bureau President Kevin Poen of Lake City

Sharyl Bruning (left) of Monona County, who represents District 4 on the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation board

Sharyl Bruning (left) and Kalene Berte, office assistant and Ag in the Classroom coordinator for Calhoun County and Humboldt County

Submitted by Darcy Maulsby

08/20/2026

Guests of the Calhoun County Farm Bureau Membership Appreciation Meeting

A variety of legislators and other guests attended the Calhoun County Farm Bureau’s membership appreciation meeting on August 10.

Shown here with members of the Calhoun County Farm Bureau board (left to right) are Neal Finley; Ben Albright; Andrew Lauver; Darcy Maulsby; Senator Tim Kraayenbrink; Mike Sexton, USDA’s State Director for Rural Development in Iowa; Jim Oberhelman (assistant to Rep. Randy Feenstra); Kevin Poen; John Rosenboom; Maria Blair; Matt Carlson; Kaylynn Henkenius; Nick Burley; and Sharyl Bruning, who represents District 4 on the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation board.

Submitted by Darcy Maulsby