​      From left, Gracie Kaufman, Sen. Annette Sweeny, Slane McCue and Valorie Larsson, county youth coordinator with the Poweshiek County Extension and Outreach, have a photo taken during the Extension and 4-H Voices Day held last month at the Iowa State Capitol. Kaufman and McCue, both juniors at Grinnell High School, spent the day talking with area legislators about the impact of 4-H on their lives and others.

By J.O. Parker
 
        Two Poweshiek County 4-H members joined voices with youth from across the state at the Extension and 4-H Voices Day held last month at the Iowa State Capitol.
       Gracie Kaufman, 17, and Slane McCue, 16, both juniors at Grinnell High School, traveled to Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
       Valorie Larsson, county youth coordinator with the Poweshiek County Extension and Outreach, joined the two 4-H’ers at the state capitol.
        Kaufman and McCue met with area legislators, Sen. Annette Sweeney and Rep. Dean Fisher, where they had a chance to share how 4-H has shaped their leadership skills, confidence, and involvement in agriculture, STEM, and community service.
       In addition, Kaufman and McCue where among a group of 4-H’ers from across the state who met with two 4-H members who are pages at the capitol this year. The 4-H’ers learned about becoming pages. The two pages also answered several questions. 
       They also received guidance on communicating with elected officials, and opportunities for youth to share their personal 4-H stories, highlighting the impact of Extension programs in communities across the state.
       “It was basically to let our legislators know what we are learning and how it has impacted us over the years and how we have impacted our communities over the years,” noted Kaufman.
      “It was really cool to meet our legislators,” noted McCue. “I have taken government classes, but it was really impactful to me to meet people who are actually in the government.”
        McCue, was able to share about what her and Kaufman’s 4-H club, the Mighty Golden Clovers, is doing and what she is learning in the 4-H Junior Master Gardeners program.
      Kaufman was able to meet with some of the queens from the Iowa State Fair Queen Contest that she participated with last year after being named the 2025 Poweshiek County Fair Queen.
        The two 4-H’ers were also able to tour the State Historical Society of Iowa while in Des Moines.
        “It was pretty cool,” noted Kaufman.
        And they enjoyed meeting 4-H leadership on the state level.
      “The focus of the day for 4-H members was to help them learn how to confidently share their own 4‑H stories and experience the legislative process firsthand,” said Larsson. “Gracie and Slane had the valuable opportunity to meet with Sen. Annette Sweeney and Rep. Dean Fisher, who listened with genuine interest and shared how 4‑H shaped their own lives. It was powerful for our youth to realize that their voices matter and that their experiences can influence real conversations at the capitol. Experiences like this strengthen the leadership and communication skills that are at the core of 4‑H, helping young people grow into engaged, capable citizens.”
     Extension and 4-H Voices at the Capitol also showcased innovative work happening statewide in agriculture, STEM, and leadership – reinforcing how Iowa 4-H prepares young people to contribute to their communities and future careers.
      Following high school graduation, Kaufman plans on attending Iowa State University to study agriculture. McCue plans to attend college and study graphic design.

       The Grinnell FFA Chapter celebrates National FFA Week, Feb. 21 - 28, with a number of activities and events. Pictured are, from left, front row: Ashley Wolfe-Advisor, Aden Wolfe-Treasurer, Gracie Kaufman-Reporter, Maggie Dayton-Vice President, Lauren Louden-President, Alyssa Peterson-Secretary, Isabel Rubendall-Parliamentarian, Rylee Mauss-Sentinel, Regan Gibson-Student Teacher. Second row: Zane Iverson, Jamison Hidlebaugh, Conner Adkins, Jacob Thilges, William Schalmo, Third row: Kendyl Levelle, Anna Slagle, Rylie Smith, Micah Loomis, Emmett Otto, Jacob Bosler. Back row: Garrett Pirkl, Mason Vanderleest, Cole Mintle, Trinity Carlson, Laney Lacaeyse, and Aubrey Flander.

      The 13 members of the St. Olaf Bell Choir include Grinnell High School alumni Joel Dressler, back row fourth from the right, will be performing at the Grinnell United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m.  Submitted photo.

      The St. Olaf Handbell Choir, from St. Olaf College, will be performing a concert at Grinnell United Methodist Church, in Grinnell, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 1st. Admission is free but a freewill offering will be taken. This performance is part of their Winter Wonder Tour.  
      The St. Olaf Handbell choir has an adventurous and engaging tour concert planned this year. The widely-varied program features original compositions, arrangements, and everything from hymns to Duke Ellington. A highlight in Grinnell will be a piece featuring student Joel Dressler ’28 on bell tree. Joel grew up in the handbell program at Grinnell United Methodist Church so it will be a bit of a homecoming for him. Other compositions combine bells with flute, piano and voice. 
       Monique Shore, bell choir director at Grinnell UMC, has been a bell ringer for over 40 years. “I’m very excited to have an hour of music from such an advanced choir. Not only are they all excellent musicians, but they have an expanded range of bells and chimes than we have available for our group. I believe some of the bells they will ring will be greater than a foot in diameter and chimes that are several feet tall. It should be a fabulous concert for those who love bell music and for those who’ve never heard it before.”
      The St. Olaf Handbell Choir was founded in 1983 and has grown to include four handbell ensembles. The choir who will perform in Grinnell is the premier ensemble of the handbell program at St. Olaf College. The ensemble is an auditioned group that meets twice a week. On campus they perform for daily chapel and Sunday church services, student recitals, and an annual spring concert featuring all the handbell choirs.  Sixteen years ago, the group began touring, performing in many cities in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois.  This will be the first time they perform in Grinnell. 
       The Grinnell United Methodist Church is located at the corner of 5th and Park Street and is fully accessible. See their website at grinnellumc.org for details on worship and ministry opportunities.

       Hello Friends! I am writing about an upcoming event that I thought you may want on your radar. I have also attached a flyer to this email. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. 
     Poweshiek CARES (Community Action to Restore Environmental Stewardship) will host its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 3 from 7 - 8 p.m. at the Drake Community Library. The event titled "Intentionally Downsizing the Farm" is free and open to the public.
     This year’s featured speaker is Seth Watkins of Pinhook Farm, a cow-calf livestock farmer from Clarinda, Iowa. Watkins will share his experience intentionally downsizing his operation - from farming 4,000 acres to 400 acres - and his perspective on how right-sizing farms can help bring diversity, resilience, and young people back to the land.
     Watkins’ story highlights the economic, environmental, and community impacts of farm scale, offering a hopeful vision for strengthening rural Iowa through regenerative and community-centered agriculture.
     The evening will include time for questions and community discussion, along with updates on Poweshiek CARES’ ongoing work.
     The Annual Meeting is sponsored by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture, Iowa Farmers Union, and Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors.
    Community members, farmers, and anyone interested in the future of Iowa agriculture are encouraged to attend.

       Hey Grinnell and area friends, circle the dates for the annual Lenten Fish Fries, Feb. 20 - March 27. Indoor dining for $13 adults or $8 for children. Options include baked or fried fish, shrimp, baked potatoes, fries, slaw, macaroni & cheese, beverages and a dessert. Serving is from 5 - 6:30 p.m. New this year is a drive through option for $10.

         Join the Malcom Fire Department for its annual pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 8 beginning at 7 a.m. As always, department members will be serving their famous blueberry and regular pancakes, sausage patties, links, eggs to order and milk/juice/coffee. Please note that the pancake breakfast has moved from the Malcom Auditorium to the Malcom American Legion Hall, right across the street. The department reminds guests to set their clocks ahead one hour that day. It is also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

        Join the Hartwick Fire Department on Sunday, Feb. 22 for the annual pancake breakfast. Department members will be serving pancakes, eggs, ham, sausage and drinks from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. Raffle tickets will also be available with the drawings taking place at noon.