Well, hello there, my fellow food enthusiasts! Are you eager to be a part of something truly special, something that’s all about bringing local produce to the forefront of your community? Well, if you find yourself in Iowa, then you’re in for a real treat! There’s an upcoming workshop in Harlan on January 10th that’s sure to pique your interest. And here’s the best part – it won’t cost you a penny to attend!

Now, you might be wondering what this workshop is all about. Let me tell you, it’s an opportunity to delve into the world of local food resources, leadership, and community engagement. The brains behind this fantastic initiative are the Centre for Rural Affairs (CFRA) and Golden Hills RC&D, and they’re brimming with excitement to share their wealth of knowledge with anyone who’s eager to learn.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Deborah Solie, a CFRA Project Associate, and she filled me in on the inspiration behind this workshop. It’s driven by the local community’s passion for enhancing access to local foods, and it’s set to take place at Milk and Honey, nestled at 919 Seventh St. in Harlan, from noon until 5 p.m. This will be an intimate affair, with space limited to just 20 attendees, so if you’re keen to be part of it, you’ll need to act fast.

Did I mention that lunch will be provided? Yes, you heard that right! Milk and Honey will be treating all attendees to a delectable meal. And for those who need a little bit of assistance to cover their travel expenses, worry not! Travel stipends are on offer for participants.

So, are you ready to sign up and be a part of something truly special? Head on over to cfra.org/events to secure your spot, or drop a quick email to Deborah at [email protected]. But don’t dilly-dally, as registration closes on January 5th, 2024. And if you have any pressing questions, feel free to give Deborah a call at 402-870-1133.

Moving on to the weather, let’s talk about the recent rainfall totals. Adair enjoyed a refreshing 0.92 inches, while Atlantic received a generous 2.0 inches. Corning saw a respectable 1.56 inches, Harlan was blessed with 1.36 inches, and Marne reveled in a delightful 1.76 inches. Mother Nature has certainly been kind to us with some much-needed rain.

On a more somber note, a three-vehicle accident in Madison County led to the tragic passing of a Creston man. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this devastating incident.

But let’s inject a bit of positivity into the mix, shall we? Let’s talk about the Iowa Hawkeyes! These remarkable athletes are gearing up for their tenth-plus bowl game appearance, a monumental achievement by any standards. In fact, they’re among just nine FBS football programs with an active bowl game appearance streak of ten-plus years. Keep an eye out as they face off against Tennessee on January 1 – we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.

And finally, let’s turn our attention to some high school girl’s basketball scores from the area. St. Albert clinched an impressive 59 points against Atlantic’s 32, while Denison-Schleswig secured victory with 48 points to East Sac County’s 41. Over in the Western Iowa Conference, Treynor triumphed over AHSTW with 45 points to 26, and Logan-Magnolia came out on top with 48 points against IKM/Manning. It’s truly heartening to see these young talents shine on the court.