Cherokee County Farm Bureau

06/03/2026

It's Summer time...It's Story time at a library near you! We are getting started on our visits to our local libraries for their story time programs with reading a book, presenting the book to the library on behalf of the Cherokee County Farm Bureau and then doing an activity that goes along with what we had read.

06/01/2026

Happy Monday! Have a carefree day, enjoy this beautiful the sun and maybe go for a walk and take in whatever crosses your path.

06/01/2026

USDA to allocate 30 million new base acres this summer

Landowners have an opportunity this summer to potentially add to their farm’s base acres for the first time in 24 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said this week. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed last summer included a provision authorizing USDA to add up to 30 million new base acres for enrollment in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is mailing notices to eligible landowners outlining that potential base acre updates will be available for review beginning June 1. New base acres will automatically be added to eligible farms, unless landowners opt out. Farm owners won’t lose any base acres during the updates, FSA officials noted. To be eligible for new base acres, a covered commodity must have been planted (or prevented from being planted) during the 2019 through 2023 crop years. If eligible requests exceed the nationwide cap of 30 million acres, the USDA will apply an across-the-board, prorated reduction to all approved new base acres. Landowners have until Aug. 31 to review their summary and complete any necessary actions. Base Allocation Summaries can be accessed online at fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc using a Login.gov account. Landowners who don’t have a Login.gov account are encouraged to contact their local FSA county office to obtain their Base Allocation Summary.

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05/25/2026

May you take the time to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice...because of them we get moments with family, laughter with friends and time with our loved ones. ❤️🤍💙

05/22/2026

CALLING ALL YOU GOLFERS! A time to golf for a great cause, the 6th Annual George Semple Memorial Golf Classic benefitting Partners For Patriots. Check out all the information below.

05/20/2026

Did you know in Cherokee County the following facts:

* 37% of residents are employed by Ag and Ag-related industries

* Average farm size = 402 Acres

* Market valve of livestock sold = $286.8 million

* Average corn yield per acre = 198.7 Bushels

* Average soybean yield per acre = 59.6 Bushels

Simple facts - interesting information.

05/20/2026

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Secretary Naig Invites Iowans to Embark on Agritourism Adventures with the 2026 Choose Iowa Passport

Free digital passport encourages Iowans to hit the road and discover farms and local food and beverage experiences

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 20, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today invited Iowans to hit the road and experience the best of Iowa agriculture through the 2026 Choose Iowa Passport, a free, interactive digital platform that connects consumers with farms, local food, beverages and horticulture, and agritourism destinations across the state.

The free, interactive digital platform—developed in partnership with Travel Iowa—connects users with participating Choose Iowa members. Already nearly 80 members are participating, with additional locations continuing to join and expand the Passport’s reach all year long. Stops include farms, farm stores, farmers markets, restaurants, breweries, wineries, garden centers, and other businesses offering locally grown, made, and raised food, beverages, and agricultural products.

“I invite Iowans to embark on an agritourism adventure with the Choose Iowa Passport and enjoy the local flavor that our state has to offer,” said Secretary Naig. “This is the perfect opportunity to get out, take the backroads, and see more of Iowa. Along the way, you can meet the people behind your food and discover the farms and businesses that make our state special. We’re excited to see Choose Iowa continue to grow and to connect even more Iowans with these outstanding members.”

As they discover new destinations and experience the diversity of Iowa agriculture firsthand, participants can check in at locations to earn points which can be redeemed for prizes, including Choose Iowa merchandise and locally grown and made products from Choose Iowa members. Each year features a new Passport experience, giving participants the opportunity to discover new destinations and revisit favorite stops across the state.

How the Choose Iowa Passport Works
• Participants can quickly sign up online at ChooseIowa.com
• Free and mobile-friendly
• Use your mobile device to check in when visiting participating locations to earn points and prizes
• Discover farms, markets, restaurants, flower shops, garden centers, and agritourism destinations across Iowa
• Support local farmers, businesses, and Iowa-made products

Building on a successful inaugural year, the Choose Iowa Passport has quickly become a popular way to connect consumers with local producers and experiences. In 2025, the Passport featured 99 participating businesses, generated more than 3,800 sign-ups, and recorded over 2,300 check-ins from users exploring agritourism destinations across Iowa.

The Passport is part of the Choose Iowa program, the state’s signature branding and marketing initiative that promotes Iowa-grown, made, and raised products. The program continues to gain strong momentum, with 345 members across Iowa.
Participants can access the 2026 Choose Iowa Passport, view locations, and begin planning their agritourism stops by visiting the Choose Iowa website.

05/18/2026

We have us some "Girl Power!" It's a great day when you can be outside with Mom having a great day.

05/18/2026

Farm Bureau applauds U.S. House approval of year-round E15 bill

Legislation allowing nationwide year round sales of E15 fuel blends took a major step forward this week when the U.S. House approved the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act with a bipartisan 218-203 vote. Lawmakers were split along regional lines rather than party lines with 95 Democrats, 122 Republicans and one independent supporting the bill. All four of Iowa’s representatives voted for the legislation. "This legislation is a win for Iowa farmers and consumers alike," said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. "As the nation’s leading biofuels producer, the added demand will boost Iowa’s ag economy during a challenging time, and it provides drivers with a lower cost option at the pump amid rising fuel costs. We are thankful for Reps. Feenstra, Hinson, Miller-Meeks and Nunn for their unwavering support for homegrown fuel and urge the U.S. Senate to follow the lead of the U.S. House to pass this legislation for farmers and all Americans." The legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota expressed support but Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman of Arkansas expressed concerns about a provision regarding small refinery exemptions (SRE). The American Soybean Association said the SRE provision would negatively affect soybean prices by lowering overall renewable fuel volumes and weakening demand for soy-based biodiesel.

05/15/2026

Dan Winterhof, Cherokee County Farm Bureau Board member recently presented Taylor Sherwood from Aurelia, IA with a $1000 Farm Bureau scholarship.

Taylor is the daughter of Charlie & Barb Sherwood. This fall Taylor will be attending Northwest Iowa Community College where she plans to study Ag Business.

Cherokee County Farm Bureau wishes to congratulate Taylor on all of her accomplishments & hard work.