WASHINGTON–Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may now re-enroll in certain CRP continuous signup practices or, if eligible, select a oneyear contract extension. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also is accepting offers from those who want to enroll for the first time in one of the country’s largest conservation programs. FSA’s 52nd signup for CRP runs from June 3 to Aug. 23.

“Agricultural producers with expiring CRP contracts have set aside land to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife and boost soil health for at least a decade,” U.S. Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey, said. “We want to make sure they–and their neighbors who may not have a CRP contract–know they have opportunities within CRP to continue their valuable contribution to our country’s conservation successes.”

LINCOLN–The U.S Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Nebraska is extending the deadline for producers in the state to report their spring prevented plant crop acres to the agency.

FSA State Executive Director Nancy Johner today announced Nebraska producers now have until July 15 to report to FSA acres they intended to plant to crops this spring but could not do so because of the difficult weather conditions. This new deadline coincides with the July 15, FSA acreage certification deadline that is already in place.

“In many areas of the state, flooding and persistent wet weather have made it challenging for producers to get into their fields for planting,” Johner said. “Producers need to report prevented plant acres to FSA to retain eligibility for FSA program benefits. This extension provides them some flexibility to meet that reporting requirement.”

Yep, I’m at it again! So you have all heard me rant about the social media stuff that I go off on. I realize that social media, in most people’s minds, is the way to go! I call uncle on that!

But....don’t demand that we know what is going on if you don’t come in and talk with us, call us or even email us. We do NOT have the time to spend on the over-the-top social media sites and/or blogs!

Thankfully and finally, the Nebraska Press Association and the News Media Alliance have teamed up to support a drive that supports what most don’t even get, or understand... see “AD” at the right.

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A thunderstorm, accompanied by winds reaching speeds and gusts of 41 mph and 56 mph, respectively, caused an older tree to fall across 7th Street, near C Street, in Fairfield, Thursday, June 20.

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“All American Summer” has been selected as the theme for Clay Center’s annual Fourth of July Celebration.

Events kick off early, at 7 a.m., Thursday, July 4, with a 10-mile bike race and a 5K/ one-mile run/walk. Races will begin at 7:30 a.m. (bikes) and 8 a.m. (run/walk).

Registration will be in front of the fitness center and will serve as a Pool Buddies fundraiser. Cost is $15 for adults, prior to July 1, and $20 after. Kids 12 and under are free.

From 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., Breakfast on the Go will be served at the Community Room; this will serve as a HART Legacy Fundraiser. Breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, and other portable breakfast items will be available.

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This weekend is the weekend many have waited an entire year for. It’s a weekend when Sutton and Edgar’s populations increase as Dugout Days (Sutton) and EdgarFest circle around for another year.

Dugout Days begins Thursday, June 27 and ends Sunday, June 30, while EdgarFest’s events kick off Friday, June 28 and end Saturday, June 29.

DUGOUT DAYS

Dugout Days, themed “Don’t Rain on Our Parade!,” is set for June 27-30, kicking off the annual event with the carnival Thursday, June 27, from 5 p.m.-midnight.

Also on Thursday, Brandy’s Balloons will be at the Sutton American Legion from 6-9 p.m. There will be craft beer tasting and appetizer specials, also at the Legion, starting at 6 p.m.

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During her class reunion over Memorial Day weekend, Sutton’s Carol Erickson received a Quilt of Valor from some of her classmates (class of 1966), for her service in the USS Army. Here, Erickson sits in front of the quilt she received. The Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003; it’s purpose is “to cover all those service members and veterans wounded physically or psychologically with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor,” QOV Founder Catherin Roberts said.

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In a wild outing Sunday afternoon, the York Junior Legion baseball team broke an 8-8 tie in the top half of the seventh inning to outlast the Fairfield Juniors 11-9 with a 3-1 edge in the final inning.

The high scoring affair was equally as impressive in the batters box, as the two teams combined for 31 total hits, with York gaining 18 hits, including four doubles and 12 singles. Fairfield tagged the York pitching for 13 singles and nine runs batted in.

In the first, after York took a 2-0 lead, Wynn Wilmot scored on a Toby Turman single to set the game at a 2-1 score.

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The Sutton Senior Legion baseball team took a double header sweep from the Silver Creek Seniors at DLD Park, Wednesday, June 12, winning the opening game in a big way, 11-4, before having to battle to sweep the visitors with a narrow 1-0 victory in the nightcap.

Ty Skalka manned the pitchers mound in game one of the double header, throwing a strong complete game in seven innings on the mound.

Skalka recorded six strikeouts and walked just three, while allowing two hits and the four Silver Creek runs in the top of the third inning.

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In July we (as in the CCN) will be printing a section specifically focused on the many businesses we have in Clay County.

The idea behind this section is to focus on everything the county has to offer, either for new people moving into the county or to simply remind everyone as to what we have.

Of course we have restaurants and auto repair shops and grocery stores, but all of those places are unique to our county because of the menu, the personality of each place, and the people who run them.

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