BURT—Spend time getting in the “spring spirit” at the 4th annual seed exchange being held in Kossuth County.

The free seed exchange will take place on Monday, March 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Burt Public Library. The event is being hosted by the Burt Public Library, ISU Extension and Outreach of Kossuth County, and Kossuth County Master Gardeners.

ALGONA—Results from euchre play at Pep’s on Feb. 20 were first - David McPeak and Kevin McPeak, 72; second place - Wayne and Elaine Patterson, 71; third place - Jerry and Mary Buscher, 65; and most loners - Joe Courtney and Mark Wolf, tied with five.

Door prize was won by Joe Courtney.

AMES—The production of Iowa’s field and miscellaneous crops was valued at $20.0 billion in 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Values 2023 Summary. This was down 21 percent from 2022.

The value of corn for grain production totaled $12.2 billion, down 25 percent from the previous year. Iowa’s corn price averaged $4.85 per bushel, $1.77 below the last marketing year.

By Iowa Secretary of

Agriculture Mike Naig

One of my favorite days of the entire year is the Century and Heritage Farm ceremony that takes place during the Iowa State Fair. During the all-day event in the historic Livestock Pavilion, hundreds of multi-generational farm families, many in matching t-shirts, wait their turns to proudly walk across the stage to receive recognition for owning a Century Farm (100 years) or Heritage Farm (150 years).

AMES—Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 640,000 head on Feb. 1, 2024, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was up 2 percent from January but down 2 percent from February 1, 2023. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 540,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month but up 3 percent from last year.

By Zach Duckert

AHS Journalism

GRAMMY nominated producer and artist, Saul Paul, plans to visit AHS this spring. The rapper has been featured on many well known stages, such as America’s Got Talent, the Super Bowl, and TEDx, to name a few. He travels the nation spreading his message, Be the Change, to students around the country.

By Aidyn Schmitt

AHS Journalism

Thursday, Feb. 29

Goulash, breadstick, broccoli, peaches

11 a.m. – Exercise

Friday, March  1

Salmon loaf, baked potato, creamed peas, bread

10:30 a.m. – Bingo

Monday,  March  4

BBQ pork sandwich, coleslaw, wedges, cinnamon apples

10:30 a.m. – Bingo

6:30-9 p.m. – Kiwanis BINGO

Tuesday, March  5

Beef stew, dinner roll, pudding, strawberries

11 a.m. – Exercise

By Lola Wolf

AHS Journalism

Every year, Algona High School hosts a college fair. With over 50 colleges from various states, it provides an excellent opportunity for students to explore different options for after high school.

By Sydney Seebecker

AHS Journalism

Spring is coming and so are two all school concerts by the band and choir programs. On Feb. 26, all concert bands from Algona Community School District performed. Then, on March 5, all choirs will join together for their pops concert.

All local vendors and growers invited

ALGONA-—A meeting for potential vendors at the Kossuth County Farmers’ market will be held on Saturday, March 2 at 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Algona.

The market is held seasonally in Algona on the corner of Dodge and Nebraska Streets on the Carnegie Lawn.  The market is open on Saturday mornings from the first weekend in June through early October and Wednesday afternoons from July through Labor Day.

CORWITH-—The Corwith Public Library will be hosting an event on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. featuring Don Johnson who will be giving tips and tricks on preparing a vegetable garden site.

Johnson has been a Master Gardener Intern for a couple years and would like to build the Master Gardener program in Hancock County. He has a real drive to show and help others in providing a bountiful garden and to provide food for the local food pantry. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be conducting controlled burns this spring on Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Waterfowl Production Areas in Kossuth County.  Controlled burns are used to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive species, restore and maintain native plant communities and reduce wildfire potential.  Burns typically begin in mid to late morning and are completed by late afternoon and early evening.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Prairie Lakes Wildlife Unit in Clay, Palo Alto, Emmet and Kossuth Counties.

Thursday, February 29

Conversations Connect: Practice English and Spanish, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Algona Public Library, adults and older students.

AHS Mental Health Awareness Showcase, 7:30-9 p.m., Wilcox Performing Arts Center.

Friday, March 1

Algona Area Chamber of Commerce coffee, 9:30 a.m., Steier Ag in celebration of their 70th anniversary.

Saturday, March 2