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Working Iowa: Apprentices get farm experience with Grow Johnson County

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Working Iowa: Apprentices get farm experience with Grow Johnson County


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) -Apprentices are getting hands-on experience with sustainable farming through Grow Johnson County.

The work isn’t easy but the mission is worth it.

”All the food we grow goes to local food pantries and organizations that get the food to people who need it,” said Jonah Eisen, an apprentice.

Grow Johnson County works to make sure people have access to healthy food. Each summer apprentices work part-time while gaining a full experience on the farm.

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”Most of the farmers that are entering agriculture today are coming from non-farm backgrounds so we wanted to provide a training opportunity for new entry new people,” Jason Grimm explained, Executive Director at Iowa Valley RC&D.

The program is already underway this summer but applications for next summer will open up in February. In the meantime, people who are interested are invited to volunteer this summer to see what it’s all about.

Apprentices come from a variety of backgrounds, some are current students and others have graduated and are continuing to build their experience.

“With a sustainability sciences major I think that it’s going to help me with hands-on experience. I’ve only been in the classroom before so I’m really excited to just learn through actions,” Liz Gaar explained, an apprentice.

It’s a chance to be part of something that helps feed the community.

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“17 agencies will receive about 40,000 pounds worth of product we’ll grow this year,” said Grimm.

It’s an opportunity to give back by providing healthy foods.

“I think I just like the idea of more healthy food culture. I don’t know there’s a big dominance in ultra-processed highly capitalistic marketed trash that people like to eat and this is the opposite of that,” Eisen explained.

By taking part, apprentices are able to grow in more ways than one.

“It’s really fun. It’s hard work and I know it’s going to get hotter outside, but I’m learning a lot,” said Gaar.

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Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident

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Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two suspects in the incident at the Lyon County, Iowa, courthouse were arrested in Spearfish, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post earlier Saturday.

The sheriff’s office identified two suspects as Brandon Lyle High Pipe, 39, and Luciano Eliseo Sanchez, 18, in a social media post on Thursday. Nationwide warrants were issued for the two suspects.

The sheriff’s office said on Tuesday the courthouse had burglarized overnight. The damage inside includes writing on walls, broken glass, tipped-over Christmas trees and other items tossed around.

The incident caused the courthouse to be closed for at least one day.

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The sheriff’s office said on Saturday morning that more information should be released later.



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Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests

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Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Grace Fincham led the West High girls to a second-half comeback in a 60-51 win over City High, giving the Trojans a win on their rival’s home floor.

The Trojans improve to 6-2 with the win. The Little Hawks drop to 6-2.

In the boys’ nightcap, the Little Hawks’ comeback attempt fell short, as the Trojans held on for a 53-51 win.

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Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan

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Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan


The loss of LeVar Woods, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ long-time, elite special teams coordinator, cannot be dismissed. The Hawkeyes have consistently been among the nation’s best special teams units, from punting to kicking to owning the return and field position battle.

With LeVar Woods departing Iowa for Big Ten foe, the Michigan State Spartans, the Hawkeyes have a big hole to fill, and head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke to the media this week on what that succession plan may look like.

“Yeah, it’s not a light decision. The trick will be to find the next LeVar Woods. He’s done a fantastic job. He didn’t have the profile necessarily maybe at that point to predict what he was going to do, but he’s done all the work. It’s like a good player; players do the work. LeVar has done a great job immersing himself and learning every aspect and then growing with each and every turn. So I guess I’m describing what we’re looking for, a guy who’s a good coach, who’s eager to take a challenge on, and immerse themselves in that world.

“Special teams is a unique niche, if you will. I’m sure we’ll have good candidates. It’s not pressing right now in my mind. What is pressing is the next two weeks getting ready for the game, and then after that we’ll have eight plus weeks or eight plus months actually to get it right. I don’t plan on waiting until August to fill it, but we’ll figure that out when we get in the new year,” Ferentz said about LeVar Woods.

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The past few seasons, Iowa has been elite on special teams with kicker Drew Stevens being incredibly consistent, the punting game flipping fields, and the run of returners consisting of Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Charlie Jones, Cooper DeJean, and Kaden Wetjen.

The Hawkeyes have won more than their fair share of games relying on this unit, and to continue that success, Ferentz needs to hit on this hire.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7





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