By US Rep. Leonard BoswellNational Small Business Week/May 17th through 23rd.The spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well in Iowa and across the country. Small businesses create 60 to 80 percent of new jobs and employ over 50 percent of our nation's workforce. Congress and the Obama ...

By Elisha Greeley Smith, Center for Rural AffairsThe USDA recently announced that $1.4 million of EQIP funds has been set aside for a special three-week sign-up for Iowa farms converting to organic production or expanding their organic production. Those with existing organic farms who desire to ...

When I was a kid, my mom had a secret weapon for getting her children to behave. The weapon was silent. It was invisible. And, it got results.We dubbed this weapon "The Look." This weapon promised retribution if we didn't respond to it and it worked so well that I have developed my own "Look" ...

By US Rep. Leonard BoswellMay is National Older Americans Month. This month we pay tribute to the senior citizens who have helped shape our communities. This year's theme, "Living Today For a Better Tomorrow," invites us to consider the ways older Americans can ensure their own healthy futures, ...

By Sen. Tom HarkinIn the past couple of weeks there has been a lot of concern about the recent outbreak of H1N1 virus. With all of the concern, there has also been a lot of misinformation that has come out regarding it. Below are some common questions about H1N1.Q-What is the H1N1 virus and how ...

By: Nikki Carrion MAWith consideration to the upcoming summer monthsparties, picnics, open houses, etc, this column's focus is on diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which the individual has blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be considered a case ...

By Elisha Smith, Center for Rural AffairsFarmers who are transitioning to organic farming and those already conducting organic practices now have an opportunity to apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) money to assist their organic efforts.The USDA recently announced that ...

By Laura SnyderI walked into a Toys R Us the other day and promptly got lost. I stumbled through Seasonal, made a left at Hanna Montana and ended up somewhere between large plastic yard toys and Rock em Sockem Robots. Somehow, I got all turned around and couldnt figure out which way the exit ...

By Senator Chuck GrassleyQ:What is National Library Week?A: National Library Week, April 1218, celebrates libraries, librarians and library workers for their valuable contributions to our communities and promotes library use and support. National Library Week began in 1957, when a National Book ...

BySenator Tim KapucianJust a few days more and the 2009 Legislative Session will be history, of course, unless there would be a special session called. Leadership in the Senate has stated that we will not debate whether or not to let the people of Iowa vote on the marriage issue. I have stated ...