Farm to School Regional Conference Less Than a Week Away

March 18, 2015 Leave a comment


Lyons, NE – One week remains to register for the Nebraska Farm to School Regional Conference, taking place March 24 in Beatrice.  The conference, hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and USDA Food and Nutrition Service, will bring together cross-sector stakeholders (schools, growers/producers, and community members) to learn about one another’s Farm to School programs, how to get started, learn new ideas and opportunities, as well as how to move their existing programs forward.

 

“This conference will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for educators, food-service directors and other community leaders to discover ways to serve fresh, nutritious food to students by making connections to others who are working through the same challenges they face,” said Sandra Renner, Farm to School Coordinator at the Center for Rural Affairs. “This conference will feature Nebraska’s nation-leading work to establish Farm to School programs, especially among smaller, rural school districts. The stories of Nebraska Farm to School efforts demonstrate that school districts, both large and small, that have courage, imagination and commitment to fresh, more nutritious school meals can make a local Farm to School program successful.”

 

What: Farm to School Regional Conference

 

When: Tuesday, March 24, 2015

9:30 a.m – 3:00 p.m.

 

Where: Southeast Community College – Kennedy Center

4771 W. Scott Rd

Beatrice, Nebraska

 

This working Farm to School Regional Conference will show school personnel how they can provide healthy, fresh, local food to students. Panelists and facilitators will share the successes of local and national farm to school programs, how schools can connect with local food sources, what farmers need to have in place to sell to schools, how to build a Farm to School team, as well as involving interested community members and parents in their school district or community. The conference is designed for food service directors, principals, teachers, parents, farmers, ranchers, business owners, and interested community members.

 

Dr. John Skretta, Superintendent, Norris Public Schools in Firth, NE will give the opening keynote. Norris has a successful Farm to School program and has a garden, greenhouse and successful partnerships with local producers.

 

The conference will consist of breakout sessions for food service professionals, farmers, school staff wishing to form a successful team and panel session sharing from successful rural schools.  A replicable local foods school lunch will be served and in the afternoon, a live food prep demonstration is planned by an experienced food service director and demonstrated with SCC students in the food service/culinary program, followed by a tasting.

 

Visit: http://files.cfra.org/pdf/F2S-Beatrice-Agenda.pdf to view the conference agenda.

 

According to Renner, participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with folks from all sectors of Farm to School. Food service professionals, food producers (farmers/ranchers, growers, processors), and community members (parents, students, and school administrators) from the region will be able to converse and make connections.
To register for the conference or for more information on Farm to School, visit http://www.cfra.org/events/farm-school-regional-conference or contact Sandra Renner at sandrar@cfra.org; or Phone: (402) 687-2103 ext. 1020.

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Village of Decatur Meeting Minutes

March 18, 2015 Leave a comment


Village Board of Decatur Regular Meeting
March 12, 2015
4:30P.M.
The Board of the Village of Decatur met in regular session at 4:30 P.M. at the City Hall on March 12, 2015. Visitors signing in were Ellen Olson, Jimmy Phelps, Joe Zink, James Phelps, Judy Connealy, Matt Connealy, and Harold Hayes not signing in was Ayden Chytka.
1) The meeting was called to order by Chairman Loretta Kellogg.
Roll Call: Bolln-here, Kellogg-here, Richards-here, Tolby-here, Wolf-here.
2)         Agenda and minutes of the previous month’s meeting were received:
Roll Call: Bolln-Yes, Kellogg-yes, Richards-yes, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes.
3) Approval and/or corrections and suspended reading of the previous month’s minutes.

Correction: Loretta Kellogg would visit with Bob Pickell not Bob Hadcock about the snow mobile incident.
Roll Call: Bolln-yes, Kellogg-yes, Richards-yes, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes.

4) EXCUSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING MEETING:
            All present
5) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND OR COMMITTEES
1) Police Monthly Report-None

2) Lights Monthly Report- The 3 energy efficient lights were donated by Gary and Sharon Fugman and the                     Village workers installed them.

3) Water & Sewer Monthly Report- There was a leak at the at one of the fill tanks at the water treatment both are now up and running that and a water pipe on 10th that broke was also fixed.

4) Parks Monthly Report –No income but since it is getting nice we will need to get it cleaned up and ready for the summer. The mowing should start very shortly.

5) Streets Monthly Report –Holes are getting worse.

6) Recycling- No income, Jason Troutman hauled some of the recycling to Tekamah, and the card board should be dried out and we are trying to coordinate a time to get that hauled to Tekamah within the next week

6)        OLD BUSINESS
           1) Police Applications- On going as the phone # on one of the applications was disconnected

2) Hansen Pest Control-Richards will meet with Hansen Pest Control to go over the area streets that need to be fogged.

Bolln motioned that we accept the contract at $600.00 per month Wolf 2nd Roll call-Kellogg-yes, Richards-yes, Tolby- yes, Bolln- yes, Wolf- yes.
7)         NEW BUSINESS
           1) Comp time for Employees-Kellogg stated that we need to table this, so she can talk with the Village attorney. She thinks that the employees need to be paid for their overtime at 1 1/2 rate and not receive comp time.

2) Zoning Commissioner Jimmy Phelps presented to the board stating he was interested in becoming the zoning commissioner. He stated that we would leave his number with the clerk and will check in. Kellogg motioned that we accept Jimmy Phelps as Zoning Commissioner Wolf 2nd Roll call Tolby- yes, Richards- yes, Bolln- yes, Kellogg- yes, Wolf- Yes.

3) Fire Dept. Liquor License for Fireman’s Diner April 11th, 2015. Harold Hayes Jr. represented the Fire Dept. Bolln made a motion that we allow the Fire Dept to have a liquor license for the Fireman’s Dance April 11th Richards 2nd the motion roll call-Kellogg-yes, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes, Bolln-yes, Richards-yes.
4) Road limit weight James Phelps- James asked the Board if there could be a weight limit put on the road west of the Catholic Church. Motion was made that they check into this matter and possibly draw up a resolution Wolf 2nd Kellogg Roll call- Tolby-yes, Richards-yes, Bolln-yes, Wolf- yes, Kellogg- yes.

5) The Board member discussed the fees from last year and Kellogg stated that the Clerk Ann Chytka is reviewing prices and that it may be cheaper to go with someone else.

Richards motioned that we make May 16th, 2015 the cleanup day for The Village residents Bolln 2nd. Roll call Kellogg-yes, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes, Richards-yes, Bolln-yes.

Wolf motioned to table who we are going to have provided the dumpsters Kellogg 2nd. Roll call Tolby-yes, Richards-yes, Bolln-yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes.
8)         CORRESPONDENCE

1) Papio-Missouri River NRD Urban Cost Share Programs- Kellogg motioned to table this Bolln 2nd. Roll call Tolby-yes, Richards- Yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes, Bolln-yes.

 

9)     APPROPRIATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS OF THE CLAIMS:
            1) Claims preapproved by Wolf and Tolby
2) Motion to Approve the Claims as Submitted

Richards 2nd Kellogg
Roll Call: Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes, Wolf-yes, Richards-yes, Kellogg- yes

Are there any questions from the audience?

Judy Conneally came up and explained how the Future of Decatur Foundation and the Sears Center funding is handled. They are non-profit and she was just here to answer questions.

 
9)        MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING

            Bolln 2nd Richards

ADJOURNMENT TIME 5:11 P.M.

 

 

 

__________________________________

Loretta Kellogg, Chairman

 

 

 

______________________________

Ann Chytka, Village Clerk

 

 

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Ora B. Tippery, 90, of Walthill NE

March 17, 2015 Leave a comment


Ora B. Tippery, 90, of Walthill, Nebraska passed away Monday, March 16, 2015 at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Memorial services are pending with Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender, Nebraska.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day From the Children at Oakland Library Story Time

March 17, 2015 Leave a comment


The children at story time want to wish everyone a happy St. Patrick's Day. They made quite the craft today in spirit of the holiday! Pictured, from left are: Laityn Johnson, Hilary Ray, Josie Peterson, Brylee Ahrens, Blaise Hartwell, Sabrina Rost, Avery Christensen and Paxton Miller. Not pictured is Celeste Rost, she was shy. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

The children at story time want to wish everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day. They made quite the craft today in spirit of the holiday! Pictured, from left are: Laityn Johnson, Hilary Ray, Josie Peterson, Brylee Ahrens, Blaise Hartwell, Sabrina Rost, Avery Christensen and Paxton Miller. Not pictured is Celeste Rost, she was shy. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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St. Patrick’s Day is Theme for Story Time at Oakland’s Library

March 17, 2015 Leave a comment


Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Library Director, read a book about St. Patrick's Day to the children at story time. Pictured are, from left: Laityn Johnson, Hilary Ray, Josie Peterson, Brylee Ahrens, Celeste Rost, Sabrina Rost, Avery Christensen, Paxton Miller and Blaise Hartwell. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Library Director, read a book about St. Patrick’s Day to the children at story time. Pictured are, from left: Laityn Johnson, Hilary Ray, Josie Peterson, Brylee Ahrens, Celeste Rost, Sabrina Rost, Avery Christensen, Paxton Miller and Blaise Hartwell. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Easter Egg Hunt Saturday at Logan Valley Manor in Lyons

March 17, 2015 Leave a comment


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City Wide Garage Sale Soon in Oakland

March 17, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland City Wide Garage Sale Coming Soon!

Oakland City Wide Garage Sale Coming Soon!

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Keep Looking Up!

March 17, 2015 Leave a comment


By Gary Fugman
orion1-2
“Messier, the Man and the Marathon.  Will You Run It?”
Image that you are living outside of Paris, France 250 years ago in 1765.  You own a telescope that is 4″ across, plenty of diameter of telescope to discover comets that are now small but heading toward the Sun, growing their famous tails.  You take great pleasure in this new area of study, the telescopic discovery of comets.  But, in night after night of searching for these new comets, you are distracted.  You are thwarted!  There are these small, fuzzy objects seen in your telescope.  You watch for them to move past the far away stars like comets do.  But they stay motionless.  They waste your valuable observing time.  You don’t know what these objects are, but they are not comets!  What will you do?
People of all ages are invited to Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) at 8pm this Friday, March 20 at the Lyons Library and Saturday, March 21 at the Decatur Sears Center to discuss with Pastor Gary Fugman the life and times of Charles Messier.  Messier discovered 13 comets between 1760 and 1785.  But that is not why we remember Messier today.  We remember him today for his list of 110 deep sky objects that do not “move”.  The discussion will then take you to how it is possible on a Moonless night in March to see, to run the marathon of viewing, all 110 of these deep sky wonders in that one night!  Wow!  What would that take?
Then March star charts will be handed out and explained.  Astronomical League observing programs will be offered.  And, weather permitting, Friday we will travel 3 miles south of Lyons to the Cory and Tracie Martin residence to view Venus, Jupiter and Messier objects through large astronomical telescopes.  Saturday, weather permitting, we will view from Fugman Observatory on the south side of Decatur.  You are encouraged to bring your binoculars or telescope for viewing, too.
For more information on this and future NENAC activities, google “nenacstars” or call Pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953 and Keep Looking Up!

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Bill Passes to Continue Education Requirements for Apprentice Electricians

March 17, 2015 Leave a comment


Monday, March 9, marked Day 41 of our 90-day session. With almost half the legislative session behind us, the Legislature steadily marches forward to address a variety of issues. At this point, there are 148 bills due for first round debate, 6 for second round debate, and 82 bills priority bills. In addition, 25 bills have been passed by the Legislature awaiting the Governor’s signature and another 58 already approved by the Governor.

 

I am happy to announce the passage of my first bill for the session. LB179 provides for continuing education requirements for apprentice electricians. It passed through the Legislature with relative ease with some amendments added to ensure apprentice electricians not wanting to advance further in their career to journeyman will not be negatively affected. It currently awaits the Governor’s signature to become law.

 

I also introduced LB569 to the Appropriations Committee. In my five years representing you at the Legislature, this was my first time before Appropriations. They have the important and difficult task of proposing a budget to the rest of the Legislature. LB569 makes some changes to the Business Innovation Act (BIA). The BIA encourages and supports the development of Nebraska-based technology and innovation in rural and urban areas through a variety of programs, such as the Value-Added Agriculture Program and Research and Development Program. LB569 increases the amount maximums allowed for grants offered through the BIA programs. This change gives the Department of Economic Development more flexibility in allocating the $7 million given to them for grant funding.

 

Unfortunately, LB350, my bill to decrease the valuation on agricultural and horticultural land for property tax purposes from 75% to 65%, was not voted out of the Revenue Committee. Only Senator Jim Scheer voiced support for the bill during executive session. Many other senators voiced concern LB350 would not provide enough relief farmers and ranchers. However, I have heard overwhelming support for this bill from those in the district, as well as statewide. Since 2008, agricultural land has shot up in assessments by 180% and placed a tremendously disproportionate burden on farmers and ranchers. This is deeply disappointing and unfair for a state built on agriculture, and continues to be sustained by agriculture as our #1 industry. I hope the committee will reconsider LB350 and support its advancement to the floor for debate.

 

As winter sports wrap up, a few special congratulations are due. Congratulations to Bancroft-Rosalie for taking second place in an amazingly close, yet heartbreaking double overtime loss in the D-2 Boys State Basketball Championship game. Also, congratulations to Guardian Angels Central Catholic (WestPoint) on taking third place in the C-2 Girls State Basketball Tournament. Additionally, congratulations to Oakland-Craig and the West Point-Beemer wrestling teams for both finishing in the top 5 team rankings at State Wrestling. It was nice to have District 16 visitors: Ed Hernandez (Nebraskans for Founders Values); Judy Mutzenberger and John Ross (Cuming County Supervisors); and Gayle Roberts, Aaron Loyd, Celeste Lux (Blair) and Nancy Black (Tekamah) attending Nebraska Library Advocacy Day. We were also blessed to have Pastor Lewis Miller of Beemer Mennonite Church serve as Chaplain of the Day on Tuesday leading the Legislature in grace-filled prayer.

 

Please contact me, administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or legislative aide, Tom Venzor, with questions or thoughts at (402)471-2728 or e-mail at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov.

 

Keeping the Good Life Growing in Nebraska,

Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16

Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

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Water is Life

March 17, 2015 Leave a comment


By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs 

Here in the west, we understand that there is much truth in the old joke that whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting. Rural and small town America depend on water and our neighbors downstream count on us to preserve the quality of that water for their use as well. And farmers and ranchers are the tip of the spear when it comes to protecting water quality because much of our surface water falls first on American farms and ranches.

 

Recently, I testified at a U.S. Senate field hearing in Lincoln, Nebraska, regarding the Waters of the U.S. rule (www.cfra.org/WOTUS-Testimony). The rule seeks to cut through the chaos and confusion surrounding Clean Water Act enforcement arising from Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. The rule goes to great lengths to ensure that farmers and ranchers benefit from preserving water quality but are not overly burdened with the rule’s implementation.

 

Naysayers more concerned about protecting industries’ right to pollute should stop muddying the water with nonsense about regulating puddles, ditches and raindrops.
Water is life, for crops, livestock, and wildlife as well as farms, ranches, business, industry and for hundreds of millions of us who depend upon clean water from our rivers, lakes and streams. It is in all our interest to protect this vital natural resource. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers should continue to listen to concerns, make improvements to the rule, and move it forward to finalization.

 

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