U.S. seed companies and farmers were handed an early Christmas present when China approved imports of hybrids with the Agrisure Viptera® corn trait, and many in the ag industry had hoped this one approval signaled a more consistent Chinese regulatory process. As a result, I’ve fielded a fair number of phone calls and e-mails from farmers wondering when they can expect final approval of various new soybean traits and technologies.
Here’s a quick update on those that are reasonably close to hitting the marketplace:
ENLIST™ (2,4-D resistant trait from Dow AgroSciences):
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in January 2014 announced completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Study for the Enlist™ corn, Enlist soybean and Enlist E3™ soybean traits. Following a comment period, the USDA announced on September 17, 2014, the Enlist corn and soybean traits have been deregulated.
On October 15, 2014, the EPA announced Enlist Duo™ herbicide is approved for use with Enlist corn and soybean traits for the 2015 cropping season. This was the final step in the U.S. regulatory process, but one fairly large hurdle remaining is overall foreign approval.
ROUNDUP READY 2 XTEND™ (Dicamba-resistant trait from Monsanto): Like the Enlist soybeans, this trait went through a comment period that ended September 25, 2014, and U.S. approval is expected any day. Roundup Xtend™ is a premix of dicamba and glyphosate. Xtendimax™ will be a straight dicamba formulation that will be used for tank mixing with other herbicide products. Both of these new herbicides will be available with VaporGrip™ technology, designed to help significantly reduce the volatility of the dicamba active ingredient.
BALANCE GT™ (Balance-resistant trait from Bayer CropScience): The Balance GT soybean trait has full U.S. approval, however, full global approval is still pending. It’s possible that Balance GT soybeans will be available for testing and plots in 2015, but a full commercial launch isn’t expected before 2016. As far as the herbicide system is concerned, Bayer has applied for registration of Balance® Bean herbicide and EPA approval is expected in early 2016.
There is uncertainty as to when these new traits will receive approval from foreign countries like China and the European Union. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we will continue to do our own testing to see which technologies and genetics will be the best fit for our market area. We’ll also keep you updated on the approvals of these exciting new technologies. And, yes, we expect to have them in our lineup as soon as they’re commercially available!
More Iowans are starting the New Year with the know-how to eat healthier and with more confidence that farmers are doing a good job growing their food, according to recent findings of an Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP) survey.
The Consumer Pulse Survey, conducted by Campaign HQ of Brooklyn, polled 353 health-conscious Iowans who make the majority of their household’s food purchases. Respondents were asked about a variety of food topics, their familiarity with the Iowa FFP and how that familiarity changes their perceptions about today’s farms and food system.
Ninety-five percent of respondents said they are “very” and “somewhat” knowledgeable about how the food they purchase is produced, up 6 percentage points from last year’s poll and up 9 points from the previous year. The survey also found 81 percent of people have a positive impression about farming.
Fifteen percent of respondents said farmers “do things right regardless of financial benefit,” up 6 percentage points from the last poll. Sixty-one percent believe growers “balance doing what’s right” with profit, while just 14 percent think farmers are “driven solely by profit,” down 4 points from last year.
Such results indicate the Food & Family Project is having success, bridging the communications gap between producers and consumers. This year’s survey shows consumers are:
Ten percent more confident that farmers care for the well-being of their livestock.
Nine percent more confident that farmers protect the environment.
Nine percent more trusting that farmers balance doing what’s right with financial considerations.
“What these numbers tell us is that we’re influencing the food influencers,” said Iowa FFP Coordinator Aaron Putze. “Those involved in the Iowa FFP have a passion for helping Iowans be healthier, happier and more informed about the food they love and the farmers who grow it. Our work is groundbreaking and the results are real, positive and measureable.”
Results like these are exactly why Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is a proud supporter of the Iowa FFP, and why I feel honored to be a part of the Iowa FFP Advisory Team. Launched in 2011 by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), the Food & Family Project facilitates greater confidence among food-minded Iowans about how food is grown and acquaints them with the farmers who grow it. Watch for an exciting announcement coming soon about the third year of the Iowa FFP’s Join My Journey project!
I was going to just write about why I vaccinate pigs in today’s blog, but that was before I read the January 4th issue of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. On the front page of the Cedar Valley section, in a “Dr. K column,” was a question about whether adults should drink protein shakes.
There are several reasons our bodies need protein, was the reply. Then Dr. K went on to explain how and why we need to consume a certain amount of protein every day. He even said there is no difference between proteins from plants and meat. However, the “good doctor” advocated for a diet rich in plant proteins because of fat in meat. You can about imagine what I was thinking when I read that!
Folks, a mistake was made about 40 years ago when many of our ailments were blamed the consumption of too much fat. And meat was blamed as the source of that fat!
New studies show we actually need fat in our diets. Yes, we must be careful with the amount we eat and we must balance what we consume. You know I like my bacon! As with everything, we should eat in moderation. We should not, however, avoid protein from meats.
As if the Dr. K column wasn’t enough to get me riled, I read in the same Sunday newspaper a Q&A section. Readers send in questions that are then answered by staff from the newspaper and the Waterloo library. The first question was about pot use in Colorado: “Can employees come to work with pot in their system?” I passed on reading that!
The following question asked if a couple of football players could be relatives… Ok. The next question was “Are GMO crops responsible for the growing number of people with wheat and gluten intolerance?” This answer should be a no brainer, right? Wrong! The answer printed was, “It’s hard to know for sure.” WHAT?! What “medical evidence” supports this?
Many people are self-diagnosing today based on the amount of information available. But one can’t always believe doctors, the media or the library. Of course, the Internet isn’t always right. So whom can you trust? Talk to people who live it! This is the very reason I talk about my corn, soybeans, and pigs. I live this every day.
I try to know the science, and the emotion behind the food I grow. Even though I don’t have first-hand experience with wheat and gluten, I read about it. I follow blogs of farmers who grow wheat. I read blogs from people involved in studying genetics. I follow people from seed companies, too. (You can trust what you read on TheFieldPosition.)
To help me as a farmer connect with consumers, I also have joined our local Chamber of Commerce. This is why I’m very involved in the Town & Country Expo that will be held January 15 in Hampton, Iowa. I want to talk to people who have questions about their food because I want “No More Food Fights“!
Come join us for the conversation. I promise I’ll listen!
This time of year the headlines are filled with tips to help consumers reach their New Year’s Resolutions for “getting healthier” and “losing weight while eating great.” As seed product manager, I confess that my New Year’s Resolutions have more to do with achieving more rather than doing with less!
“Higher yield” tops my list for 2015. We’re encouraged by results from the 2014 F.I.R.S.T. Trials. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds won 38 location or regional summaries with 19 different products! We had 77 Top 3 finishes, 127 Top 5 finishes and 275 Top 10 finishes!
One key to our success is working as a team to select products selected for local growing conditions. Our team approach includes working with Latham® dealers and customers in every region to conduct on-farm research. While we enjoy winning yield trials, we’re most interested in winning on your farm!
Here’s my Top 10 List for how we can all achieve top soybean yields in 2015:
Variety Selection: In my opinion, this is THE most important factor to achieving higher soybean yields. Farmers must manage a number of stress factors: disease, weeds, Soybean Cyst Nematodes, etc. Fortunately, many of these stress factors can be managed through careful variety selection. Many regions are experiencing weed resistance to glyphosate herbicides, so keep in mind that Latham has LibertyLink soybeans available.
Seed-to-Soil®: Research shows correct product placement leads to a 3 to 7% yield improvement. Basing seed selection mostly on cost per bag and the size of the seed in the bag won’t add a single bushel to your overall yield. Understanding a particular product’s response to soil type or planting population, however, will! Get to know your local Latham® representative and work with him or her to develop a crop plan for success.
Early planting: Soybeans are a light-sensitive crop, so it stands to reason that an earlier-planted crop has more potential for yield since it will have greater access to sunlight. However, there are risks associated with early planting. Protect early-planted soybeans from seedling diseases and insects by using seed treatments with either a fungicide or a fungicide-insecticide combination. Latham’s own SoyShield™ brand seed treatments are an excellent choice!
Weed Management: Soybeans are very sensitive to early-season competition from grass and broadleaf weeds. Using a weed control program that includes a pre-emergence herbicide and a post-applied product reduces stress from weed pressure and allow for early canopy closure. An early complete canopy is important to intercept as much sunlight as possible throughout the growing season.
Narrow Row Spacing: Based on the theory that enhanced yields are tied directly to the amount of light intercepted by the soybean crop, narrow row spacing can help close the canopy and allow for increased light interception. I strongly recommend that farmers take a look at row spacings in the 15- to 20-inch range. Over many years of field observations, this seems to be the range that affords the greatest amount of yield potential while also mitigating risks (such as White Mold) associated with drilled soybeans in the 7- to 10-inch range.
Soil Fertility: When striving for higher yields, ensure adequate soil nutrients are available to achieve those yields or else all their careful planning and cultural practices will be for naught. Again, Latham’s Seed-2-Soil Nutrient Management program is invaluable to help farmers achieve these goals. Soil sampling, field mapping and nutrient recommendations are just three of the many benefits.
Soybean Cyst Nematode: SCN is the number one pest of soybean fields in the United States. You really can’t even begin to think about raising 80 bushel per acre (bu/A) or even 60 bu/A soybeans until you know SCN populations are in each field. Nematodes tend to cause the most damage in drier years where soil moisture is lacking and plants are already under severe stress. 2012 was one of those years and we saw a significant amount of SCN damage that reduced overall yields. Here again, soil sampling and careful variety selection are critical.
Crop Rotation: Many will argue this comment, but in my opinion, the corn-soybean crop rotation is still the most profitable practice for farmers over time. The long-term benefits of this rotation outweigh the short-term successes of corn-on-corn or even beans-on-beans.
Scouting: Scouting your fields at least once a week is crucial. There will be times during the year when once a week isn’t often enough, and you might find yourself scouting fields every other day! Most land-grant universities support Extension programs in their respective states that give excellent advice on crop scouting.
Inoculants: If soybeans haven’t been grown in a field for 4 or 5 years or if the soil is sandy, then inoculating the soybean seed should be seriously considered. Most fields in the Upper Midwest won’t require inoculants if they have been part of a corn-soybean rotation. Here again, scouting your fields, knowing your soils and digging up plants to assure proper nodulation is crucial for achieving top-end yields.
Ringing in the New Year for this Franklin County family means celebrating Christmas and then heading to Hilton Coliseum to watch the Iowa State Men’s Basketball game.
“My parents, both of my sisters and one of my brothers-in-law all graduated from Iowa State, so we are truly a Cyclone Family,” said Kari (Berghoefer) Subbert of Hampton. “It’s a lot of fun to take our kids and teach them about Cyclone traditions.”
Another Cyclone tradition for the Berghoefer family is participating each spring in Cy’s House of Trivia. The family has entered as a team since the contest began in 2006. They’ve earned a spot in the Top 10 each year, placing third in 2013 and winning it all in 2014!
In addition to cheering on the Cyclones, Kari’s family shares a love of rural living. She and her husband, Nathan, lived in Cedar Rapids for nearly 10 years but knew they wanted to raise their children in a small town. Nathan grew up on a Century Farm in Greene County, north of Churdan, where his dad still farms. Kari grew up on a beef cattle and grain operation just south Hampton that has been in her family for three generations. When the opportunity came up to rent land upon her dad’s retirement, the couple jumped at the chance to pursue their dream of farming.
Nathan feels fortunate that he’s been able to telecommute for his job as a software engineer at Rockwell Collins, which was his full-time job before he began farming. His background in engineering helps him keep up-to-date with the new technology being used in agriculture, too.
Kari, who graduated with a degree in journalism, worked for a publishing company in Cedar Rapids. She still does freelance design work, and she’s a full-time mom to three very active children. Grant is almost nine and in third grade; six-year-old Maren is in kindergarten; and Henry is three. Grant enjoys reading, building with Legos, playing the piano and showing a bucket calf at the county fair. Maren likes her dance and tumbling classes, playing dress-up and drawing. Henry loves anything with wheels – especially trucks, tractors and trains.
The Subbert children are learning life’s lessons from the farm. “This year was Grant’s second year taking a bucket calf. He’s learning that it takes a lot of time and responsibility to care for animals,” says Kari. “He knows that he must go feed the animals even if he doesn’t want to because they depend on him to take care of them no matter what. Grant is also learning perseverance. Those calves can be stubborn when you’re teaching them to lead, but you have to keep working at it.”
Outside the home, Kari enjoys volunteering for the Hampton-Dumont PTO and serving on the Hampton Community Christian Daycare board. Her hobbies include reading, photography and baking, which were sparked by her nine years as a member of the Reeve Royalties 4-H Club for nine years.
“We were always allowed to help in the kitchen growing up,” says Kari. “My mom would let me decide what kind of pies we were going to make for the 4-H and church food stands at the county fair, as long as I made them from start to finish. Those years of practice led me to become the official pie baker for all family gatherings, and I still make four pies each year for our church food stand at the Franklin County Fair.”
Even though she’s known across the county for her aesthetically pleasing and equally delicious pies, Kari’s kids prefer her homemade banana bread. Today she’s sharing with us that recipe plus another one of their favorite soup recipes. “Both are easy to make and comforting, especially in the winter,” she says. Go ahead and celebrate January Soup Month, beginning this weekend!
Sausage Vegetable Beef Soup
1 lb ground beef
1 T minced onion (dried or fresh)
12 oz kielbasa sausage
4 c (32 oz) beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 ½ c frozen mixed vegetables
1 c Wacky Mac pasta
Salt and pepper to taste
Brown ground beef with minced onion. Add broth and tomatoes. Mix in vegetables and pasta. Bring to a boil and then turn down heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Slice sausage into disks and heat in microwave. Add to soup with salt and pepper to taste, simmer 5 minutes and eat.
This is a soup that everyone in our family will eat – even the picky three-year-old. It’s easy to throw together on a weeknight and makes a hearty, filling meal. You can add other spices such as oregano, thyme or basil to change the flavor slightly as well.
Although farming and ag-related businesses are an important part of Franklin County’s economy, one can’t assume that even life-long residents have an understanding of why or how farmers do what they do. That’s why the Ag Committee of the Greater Franklin County Chamber is hosting the inaugural Town & Country Expo on Thursday, January 15, from 10 AM until 3 PM in the Franklin County Convention Center on the fairgrounds in Hampton.
“We know consumers of all ages want to feel confident that they’re making safe, healthy food choices for their families. That’s why we’re providing an opportunity at the Town & Country Expo for farmers and consumers to actively engage in conversations about how food is grown,” says Larry Sailer, who farms in southern Franklin County, has been telling his ag story for years to groups from across the state and even internationally through his weekly Tuesday “Musings of a Pig Farmer” blog on TheFieldPosition.com.
The day-long Town & Country Expo offers opportunities for farmers and consumers to engage from trade show booths to a panel discussion about how being involved on a local level can carry your message to an even larger audience. Thanks to social media, Franklin County residents can carry their messages and share their stories with a worldwide audience.
Connecting families with their food is “old hat” for Celeste Settrini, a fourth generation rancher from Salinas, California, who also operates a boutique graphic design, media and communications agency. Settrini will be presenting the Expo’s keynote address, “Connecting Families: The Intersection of Pasture and Pavement.” Celeste will share with the audience what it’s like to live on a California ranch and offer suggestions on how producers and consumers can make a better connection.
Town & Country Expo
Franklin County Convention Center – Hampton, Iowa | January 15, 2015
10:00 AM
Tradeshow Booths Open
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Ag Outlook by Kelvin Leibold, ISU Extension Farm Management
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
FREE lunch courtesy of Franklin County Pork Producers, Franklin County Beef Producers, Triple T Meats of Ackley and Fareway of Hampton.
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Celeste Settrini, fourth generation California rancher
“At the end of the day, we want consumers to have a greater trust of farmers and a better understanding of farming practices,” says Sailer.
People who know farmers or are engaged in conversations with farmers have a more favorable impression about production agriculture, according to a recent survey by the Iowa Food and Family Project of which Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is a proud sponsor. People familiar with the Iowa FFP are:
10% more confident that farmers care for the well-being of their livestock.
9% more confident that farmers protect the quality of the state’s water, air and soil.
9% more trusting that farmers balance doing what’s right with financial considerations.
Awareness of the connection between farming, food and families jumped 6 percentage points from last year’s poll to 31 percent. Poll results also show that consumers who are familiar with the Iowa FFP are more likely to pay attention to food labels and seek details about how food is grown. They also have a more favorable impression about today’s farm and food system.
We’re really encouraged by the results of the Iowa Food and Family Project’s poll and hope similar connections will soon be made among Franklin County residents. Because we believe the Town & Country Expo is a great first step in building that connection on a local level, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is proud to help sponsor this local event.
There have been disputes over land to serve a public service as long as there has been ownership of land. Winners and losers are determined by where a public service is located. Big money may be made… or lost! Towns can be created – or abandoned – based on the location of public services.
The little town of Maynes Grove, near where I grew up, was abandoned when the railroad track went through seven miles farther north of Franklin County’s first settlement. As a result, the town of Hampton was born and became our county seat; Maynes Grove is known today only as a recreational area.
Over time, more utilities have been put into place. I’m trying to count how many utilities I farm over, under or around. I farm around wind turbines and under power lines. I farm over an anhydrous pipeline. Numerous power lines, phone cables, and fiber optic lines are buried on land I farm. Some of these aren’t too much of an obstacle but others (like the wind turbines) are a big pain!
Farmers have had to sacrifice for “the public good.” U.S. transportation and energy infrastructure systems are often built with use of eminent domain, which gives government the authority to take private property for public use such as an interstate. I’m sure the decision to put Interstate 35 through Franklin County at an angle was decided by a non-farmer. To a non-farmer, this would seem to be no big deal. As a farmer, it’s a huge deal! The location of the interstate makes farming inefficient as crop rows (point rows) run into each other at odd angles. The location of I-35 also divided many local farms into little pieces. Some farms, which had been in families for generations, disappeared completely.
Now Franklin County is in the midst of a battle to put a huge power line all the way down the west side and then across the south side called the Rock Island Clean Line (RICL). With a name like “Clean Line,” why would anyone want to block the building of more wind turbines?
All of the electrical current is put in at one end in Northwest Iowa and comes out somewhere southeast of Iowa. If there is an excess of energy generated by the wind turbines I farm around, for example, it cannot be added to this line. If there is a shortage of electrical power somewhere along the line, tough.
While grid infrastructure is one challenge, a larger concern is public vs. private good. The RICL is being developed by Clean Line Energy Partners, an investment company looking for big profit. These investors have petitioned the ICC to “act” as a transmission “public” utility to build, operate and maintain this line. Doing so gives them the right to use eminent domain!
China’s approval of Viptera is great news for several reasons. First of all, this approval has the potential to increase demand for U.S. corn. China was the third-largest market for U.S. corn in 2012, but corn trading between the two countries essentially shut down in November 2013 when Beijing began turning away cargoes containing the Syngenta AG strain.
Not only has China’s trade been unreliable in recent years, but its trait approval process has been unreliable. Syngenta originally submitted the import approval dossier in March 2010 to Chinese authorities and approval was just now granted. Hopefully, this signals a more consistent Chinese regulatory process that bodes well for future approvals of traits like Agrisure Duracade, Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System, Enlist and Balance GT.
Approval of Viptera by China comes at a good time for those of us in the seed industry. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we’re planning our 2015 seed production acres now. We expect to have our 2015 production plan complete in February. Then we’ll announce our new product lineup to our dealers mid-summer as our 2015 crop becomes Latham’s 2016 corn product lineup.
Only a limited amount of Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack had been in Latham’s corn product lineup since it wasn’t approved for import by China. It was, however, already approved for import by these countries: Australia/New Zealand, Belarus, the European Union, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan and Vietnam. Viptera, which offers broad-spectrum control of 14 yield- and quality-robbing insects, as well as tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides .has been approved for cultivation since 2010 in these countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay and the USA.
Help Freedom Ring for Those Who Fought to Defend Ours
It’s customary this time of year to reflect upon the past year and set new goals. The New Year is a time for hopes and dreams. But not everyone looks forward to loud parties or even rooms filled with people…
That’s why Retrieving Freedom Inc. (RF) established itself as a nonprofit in 2011 to assist Veterans, children with autism and diabetics. “These dogs don’t just help the person. In the end, they help the whole community,” said Scott Dewey in an April 2013 interview with KWWL. Dogs in training reach thousands of individuals who will benefit on many levels.
The New Year is bringing about new services for RFI as it moves into its new “Thrive Again” facility in Waverly, Iowa. This facility was designed to provide animal-assisted activities with help from local Veterans, schools, troubled teenagers, college students, and community volunteers like Chad Johnson. Johnson served 13 years in the Iowa Army National Guard, through deployments in Egypt, Iraq and Afghanistan. He says helping at RFI gives him a sense of purpose and also allows him give back since he also received, Copper, a service dog from RFI.
“If I’m flashing back, processing different situations I’ve been in and anxiety’s building up, he’ll sense it automatically and just do ‘paws up’ right on me,” said Johnson in a Dec. 1, 2013, WCF Courier article. Copper will get in Johnson’s lap, lick his face, tug his sleeve and calm him by getting Johnson to play catch with a ball or go for a walk.
Another RFI volunteer is Jenna Kyhl, who is currently fostering two puppies for RFI. She says the puppies receive her care from the time they’re weaned until they’re about 8 months old. During this time, the Labradors learn to work and play. She potty trains the pups and teaches them basic commands like sit, stand and lay down. She also teaches them to lead from a person’s left side.
“I take the dogs everywhere I go from the time they arrive,” explains Khyl. “It’s important for them to get exposed to situations like shopping in Wal-Mart and eating in restaurants.” They learn they’re “working” when they’re wearing their vest. When they’re not wearing the vests, they get to explore the yard, walk trails and play. The pups also get lots of exposure to other animals and children as Jenna takes them to work with her as riding instructor and horse trainer at Hilltop Equestrian Center.
In a recent Facebook post, Kyhl gives a look into what it means to foster a RFI puppy:
I wanted to share this with my family and friends. I know that sometimes it may not be convenient for me to have Ada, Topper or Latham with me. I do understand that having them in your homes or sitting under the table while we are out to dinner or laying on your feet in a movie may not be in your comfort zone. I understand that you are not used to the looks and questions from strangers. I understand that the extra 5 minutes it takes me to walk anywhere because of people asking questions might irritate you.
I want to say thank you for being supportive in my choice to continue fostering. Please understand that I truly believe in what I am doing, and I truly believe I am helping to make a child or veterans life a little easier. This link may allow you to put names, faces and stories with my reasons for wanting to be a foster. (http://retrievingfreedom.org/recipients-and-dogs/)
Thank you for being so understanding and supportive! Especially when the dogs may not be acting like perfect little citizens they will get there! They need to make their mistakes with me so that they are successful in making someone’s life better when it is time for them to move on to the next step.
Thank you again! Ada, Top and Latham thank you as well!
Ada is the name of the first female Lab that Khyl fostered for RFI. In a few weeks, Top (short for “Topper”) will move to his next level of training at the RFI facility. The latest puppy, named “Latham,” arrived on December 18.
Donated by Craig Christians, Territory Sales Manager for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, our namesake puppy will become part of the RFI’s breeding program. Watch for updates on these dogs by following Retrieving Freedom’s Facebook page or on Twitter as @RFI_dogs.
“Latham” the pup was purchased from Kerrybrook Labrador Retrievers of Chardon in Northeast Ohio, which has developed a reputation for breeding dogs for soundness, temperament, working ability and confirmation – all important traits for service dogs.
My son and I had the opportunity to meet “Latham” on Tuesday, Dec. 23. What a sweetheart! Like any baby, he sleeps most of the day. He also needs to eat good quality foods to maintain a healthy diet during periods of rapid growth, so today we’re sharing a recipe for dog treats that won’t break your own dog’s diet.
The holidays should be a time of love and joy. Unfortunately for many folks, it’s a time of loneliness and anxiety. Today I want to explore ways to help those who are suffering from more than seasonal depression.
Disclaimer: This blog is my opinion, and the topic covered today is one that’s very personal as someone dear to me committed suicide. I chose to write about this topic because I’m raising the mental health issue with my local Farm Bureau Board and want this subject to be thoroughly vetted.
Mental healthcare is not largely understood, and there are tough questions that must be explored:
How it is funded?
How are services implemented?
Are the services accessed by the people who need it most?
How does someone even know if he or she needs services?
Will he or she admit help is needed?
While researching mental health service in North Central Iowa, I came across the Mental Health Center of North Iowa Inc. There is a lot of information available on the MHCONI website, and I read with interest a list of topics available in the center’s user-friendly library of audio tapes, video tapes, and pamphlets. I expected to find information on conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, stress, anxiety and depression. But one topic really took me by surprise…. parenting skills! Parenting must be the guiding light in any person’s mental health, but is this the right place for parenting skills to be taught?
Back to the money part… How is mental health financed? The Mental Health Center of North Iowa has had a history of deficit budgets. In the past, the counties served were responsible to cover costs. It’s difficult to determine from this website how funding is currently supplied, and the most recent strategic plan posted is for the years 2007 to 2012. (Side bar: I’m disappointed with the age of the information. This morning I received a call from the IT administrator for MHCONI, and he told me the current map showing that Franklin County is served by MHCONI is not current. This organization is restructuring and will soon launch a new website. Guess this means I have more research to do!)
I believe mental health is a local issue, just as gun control is. The person controlling the weapon – whether it’s a knife, a car or a hammer – is the problem. A very popular football coach was killed five years ago in Parkersburg, which is only 30 miles from my house. Coach Ed Thomas died because a former student, who suffered from mental illness, wasn’t getting the help he needed even though the young man’s parents had tried desperately to help him.
There is need to end the stigma around mental illness, as Arianna Huffington wrote in an August 18 article published by the Huffington Post after actor/comedian Robin Williams took his own life. Check out these statistics cited in her article:
In 2011 (the last year for which we have the data) there were 39,518 suicides, making it the 10th leading cause of death.
An estimated 1 million people attempt suicide each year, which, beyond the obvious tragic human toll, is estimated to cost the U.S. economy $34 billion each year.
Since World War II worldwide rates of suicide have gone up by an estimated 60 percent.
Perhaps mental health issues will appear in the spotlight again this season as the third “The Night at the Museum” movie, in which Robin Williams stars as Teddy Roosevelt, opens in theatres this weekend. Our nation’s mental health services systems needs to be updated, as much as the MHCONI website does! It appears that most organizations, in most states, are struggling to figure out how to meet today’s needs.
I truly believe that returning to our religious values and letting God opening guide us – without worrying about all the “politically correct” overtones – is key to restoring balance and health in this country. Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying because I do not mean to downplay some of the very serious mental problems. From the beginning of time, there have been mental problems. We shouldn’t avoid the very deep dark mystery of mental health! It will continue to destroy lives and families, so we should work together to develop viable solutions.
Let us enjoy this time of Christmas and remember why we are celebrating the birth of Jesus! Reduce your stress and celebrate with joy!