The Paullina Times

As you may have heard, the Germantown Fire Department is No More. Times change, people come and go, but fond memories and stories stay around awhile, reminding us of what once was. Throughout the 60+ years of service, there have been many community members who have chosen to become firemen of the Germantown Fire Department. Now at the department’s close, these members had a chance for “one last hurrah!”
Wednesday evening, August 31st, fireman from past years and their spouses met at the Laue Room in Paullina. The evening was spent reminiscing and socializing over the Good ‘ol Days. Deb Ebel (with help from family) catered the event serving a wonderful meal of delicious pork loin, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade rolls, Jello salad, and dessert.
The firemen then went around the room telling their favorite stories of their time on the department, from the annual Germantown Pancake feed, or leaving a truck at a fire, to using the fireman calling tree. One member who was a part of the original department shared a story of when the department was given their first fire truck. That same day of receiving the truck, there was a fire call. The group had the pump, but no one knew how to use it.
Member Kelly Kreber purchased one of the original Germantown Fire Department trucks (1940′s), fixing it up to look like new. He drove the truck to Paullina, making for a perfect background for one final Germantown Firemen picture.
The territory that the Germantown Fire Department covered is currently split between the Paullina Department and the Granville Department. The few members who were still active in the Germantown Department were invited to join the Paullina Fire Department, however keeping the Germantown shed and trucks for extra help and/or first response.

AMES, Iowa — Producers who have lost livestock from the recent wind storms or heat may be eligible for payment through the Livestock Indemnity Program. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension beef program specialist Denise Schwab said the “Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008″ authorized the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to provide benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather.

Schwab said producers who think they have losses that might quality should remember that LIP has eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

“To be eligible for LIP, the livestock must be owned by the producer and raised for commercial use as part of a farming operation. Pets or recreational animals do not qualify,” Schwab said. “Contract swine or poultry growers also may qualify for lost livestock if they have a written agreement with the livestock owner setting the specific terms, conditions and obligations of the parties involved.”

Payment for losses is determined by USDA calculations but is approximately 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock, or 75 percent of the average income loss sustained by the contract grower with respect to the dead livestock, she said. Producers also are restricted by other USDA payment limitations.

Producers who suffer livestock death losses should submit a notice of loss and an application for payment to the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center that maintains the farm records for their business. This application needs to be made within 30 calendar days after the loss of livestock was apparent to the producer.

More information is available on the FSA website in this LIP fact sheet. People also can contact their local FSA office for details and to apply.

Visit the Iowa Beef Center (IBC) website for information on heat and heat stress in beef cattle operations, or contact an ISU Extension beef program specialist.

IBC was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from ISU Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.