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Helen Boertje's avatar

This has been a far longer concern than most people are aware of. In the 30's and 40's there was a big move to try to improve agriculture and the use of the land including protecting streams. I'm only aware of this through a series of articles in the Pella Chronicle describing the new ideas that were being tried out in the area where my parents lived. One of them was having a protective barrier of vegetation around streams to prevent loose soil run off. Probably the only fertilizer at the time was manure but they did recognize it was not good for humans and their livestock drinking from it down stream. There is no excuse for anyone to imagine that Iowa's farming practices do not need improvement. It is not exciting as being furious about whether or not there should be more restrictions on abortions to save every life while the living die early because of our neglect to do something about current farming operations.

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Denise OBrien's avatar

Bob, I get a strong sense of agitation from your piece. I’ve know you for a short time and you have always given off an aura of calmness. Thank you for getting me fired up this morning. You and Art talking about microdosing Iowans to death. I haven’t read Chris yet but know he will fire me up as well.

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