S-O Farmer’s Night School begins Jan. 7

• Mike Earll

File Photo: Mike Earll, agriculture teacher and FFA adviser at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School, is a 1975 Sibley High School graduate who has been teaching at S-O for 29 years. (BRIAN KORTHALS/DAILY GLOBE)

Talk about it

SIBLEY, Iowa — Sibley-Ocheyedan Agriculture Education Instructor Mike Earll announced that the 2010 Farmer’s Night School programs will begin at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 with a legislative update.

This biannual meeting will feature a discussion with State Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan and State Rep. Royd Chambers of Sheldon. Both will discuss the upcoming session and issues that will impact the state.

The meeting, as all the adult farmer meetings, is open to the public, and anyone interested is invited to attend. The programs are very informal with the goal of providing current information to those attending.

The legislative update is the first in a series of meetings at the Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Agriculture Education Room during January and February. All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and continue for approximately two hours.

The 2010 schedule of Farmer’s Night School meetings is as follows:

Jan. 14: “Wind and Other Emerging Energy Opportunities for Our Area.” Rick Ryder, the project manager of Osceola County Windpower LLC (Next Era), will share what is happening with the new wind farms in Osceola County. He will share his insight on the future of wind energy in the area as well as other renewable energy sources. Time for questions and answers will be a part of the presentation.

Jan. 21: “Conversation with Osceola Electric Cooperative Manager Jeff Ten Napel.” He will share some of the issues facing the local electric cooperative, pending legislation that could affect rural electric rates and his view of the future of rural electric cooperatives.

Jan. 28: “Pending Legislation That Affects You. What Happens in Washington Can Have a Profound Impact On Rural America.” United Cooperative Manager Irvin Clubine will share his insight and views concerning legislation pending in Washington, D.C., and how it will affect rural America. From trade to issues of food safety, many of the proposals being debated will have a huge impact on agriculture.

Feb. 4: “International Agriculture … How Farming Practices in Other Countries May Influence Iowa Agriculture.” Melissa Nasers has traveled extensively over the past several years studying agriculture in China, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries. She will share her view of how agriculture is changing abroad and how this will influence practices here in the Midwest.

Feb. 11: “Day Tour of D & K Plastics in Archer and Other Points of Interest in the Area.” The morning will be spent touring D & K Plastics in Archer and be followed by a tour of other area business in the afternoon. The bus will leave the ag room at 8:30 a.m. and return to Sibley by 3:30 p.m. Please contact the ag department with plans to attend.

Feb. 11: “Protect Yourself, Your Bank Accounts and Investments from Identify Theft.” Jan Burk, ISU Extension Specialist from Spencer, will share how to recognize different types of consumer fraud including identify theft, uses and misuses of debit cards, and various techniques individuals use to access personal checking, savings and investment accounts. She will offer tips on how to protect yourself while traveling and how to make it more difficult for thieves to steal your identity.

Feb. 18: “A Conversation with Osceola County ISU Extension Director Cheryl Heronemus.” Heronemus will discuss the many changes facing the ISU Extension Service and how those changes are likely to affect Osceola County. She will also explain many of the program offerings of the Extension Service and how residents can access those programs.

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