Originally broadcast 10/10/2014
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Reporters Greta Anderson and Gale Seiler explore the World Food Prize founded by Iowa's Nobel Prize-winner Norman Borlaug, the man behind the Green Revolution. Events surrounding the awarding of this year's prize are gearing up both in Des Moines and in Ames. First, we speak with Cornelia Flora, distinguished professor emeritus of sociology at ISU, who has attended numerous WFP symposiums over the years, and whose latest work as a researcher focuses on adapting smallholder farming systems in Latin America and Africa to the new challenges of climate change. She is hosting a meal and panel discussion by Ethiopian farmers and agricultural advisors this Sunday evening at Ames UCC church. In the second half of the show, we speak with Elizabeth Kucinich, a spokesperson for the Center for Food Safety and on the board of Rodale Institute, about her and her husband's upcoming talk on food security and national security, at an "Occupy the World Food Prize" event on Tuesday in Des Moines. Why do some people think the World Food Prize need to be "occupied"? Listen and find out!

Originally broadcast 10/01/2014
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Leigh Searles describes indigenous plants that appear in environments disrupted by civilization, and why we should collect seeds from them. Searles, is creator of the phenology calendar. Calendars can be ordered at searleslr@msn.com

Mark Schneider describes Iowa Arboretum, being featured this month in Local Talk's Community Service Appreciation program.

Outgoing Story County Recorder Sue Vande Kamp explains what the County Recorder does, in anticipation of the election of a new Recorder this November.

Originally broadcast 10/01/2014
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Larry Sloan and Susan Franzen introduced the new Wednesday Local Talk which focuses on the news, music, and "Shoutouts" of celebration and upcoming events from "the surrounding area" (parts of seven counties around our tower near Story City). Lonna Nachtigal and Joe Lynch told about the traditions and music of the Central Iowa Barn Dance, which draws dancers from a wide area. Our featured live musician was singer-songwriter Tom Richards of Nevada. Our first call-ins Shoutouts were news of the Arb Bark at the Iowa Arboreum near Luther, a day of dog related classes, Gospel Jazz on October 10 at the Senior Center, and the Story! Festival in Story City.

Originally broadcast 09/26/2014
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Ursula and Greta speak with two residents (and past mayors) of Luther, Iowa (pop. ~ 120) about that town's sewage crisis. Many, but not all, septics in Luther are sending partially treated waste to the watershed, and the city council has a proposal to upgrade them all at the same time, at considerable expense. Next, Greta visits the new waste lagoon facility of Collins (pop. 500), which surprised residents with its expense ($42-44 a month) and expanse (18 acres). Residents of small Iowa towns are struggling to take responsibility for their waste. The rest of the hour is spent talking with Gene Tinker, coordinator of Animal Feeding Operations for the state of Iowa, about regulations on the raw manure produced at factory farms and spread on farm fields throughout the state. Does Iowa code demand accountability from farmers or protect them from it?