⚡️Spark for the Day

I am rooted in faith, and my spirit soars with hope. Like a tree planted by water, I will flourish and bear fruit in all seasons. (Psalm 1:3)

Ames Electric’s Solar Project Gets a Helping Hand from Local Sheep

Ames Electric's SunSmart Community Solar Project is receiving some unexpected assistance this summer from about 50 local sheep. These sheep have been brought in to maintain the vegetation at the 10-acre, 2-megawatt solar farm located between Airport Road and Highway 30, eliminating the need for traditional mowing.

Completed in December 2020, the SunSmart project aims to make clean solar energy more accessible to residents who cannot install their own solar panels. The farm's nearly 6,000 panels generate enough energy to power approximately 450 homes annually.

Joel Zook, energy services coordinator with Ames Electric Services, sees the current project as a learning experience for future solar initiatives. "Ames would like to do a whole lot more solar at some point in the future," Zook said. "We're thinking about what we can learn here on these 10 acres and this 2-megawatt project that we can apply at a much larger scale."

Initially, about 50 sheep were brought from Sheep on the Go in Ames, and several lambs have been born since their arrival. The sheep will remain at the site throughout the summer. They were chosen because their grazing habits help improve soil quality by storing more carbon and promoting healthier grass growth. Chad Steenhoek, owner of Sheep on the Go, explained that sheep are ideal for this task because they thrive on grass and are less likely to damage equipment compared to cattle or goats.

In addition to innovative vegetation management, Ames Electric Services offers residents the opportunity to invest in the solar farm through power packs. Each pack represents the output of about half a solar panel and provides owners with monthly credits on their utility bills. Initially priced at $300, the cost of power packs decreases annually, with the current price at $240 as of January 10.

Residents can expect regular updates on the sheep’s progress and contributions to the solar farm throughout the summer, as Ames staff continue to monitor and report on this unique project.

Enjoy Free Fishing Weekend in Iowa: No License Required!

Don’t have a fishing license in Iowa? No problem! The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a free fishing weekend from June 7-9, allowing everyone to fish without a license.

Usually, state law mandates that Iowans purchase a fishing license, with options ranging from day passes to annual licenses, which typically cost $22. However, during this free fishing weekend, you can cast your line without paying a fee.

All other fishing regulations in Iowa remain in effect during this weekend, including specific rules for catch-and-release waters and daily limits on certain species.

Best Fishing Spots in Iowa

Iowa boasts 148 different fish species, so your fishing spot depends on what you aim to catch. For “exceptional” trout fishing, head to northeast Iowa. The Mississippi River offers a diverse range of species, including bass and catfish.

You can check out a community fisheries map on the Iowa DNR’s website to find various bodies of water, their locations, and the fish species they host.

At Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, for example, you can find species such as bluegill, walleye, freshwater drum, and common carp, according to the Iowa DNR.

‘We want to be prepared’: ISU Develops Test for Japanese Encephalitis Virus

AMES, Iowa – When the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) struck U.S. pig herds in 2013, the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) rapidly developed a high-capacity test to manage the outbreak. This experience profoundly impacted the lab’s approach to emerging diseases, prompting researchers to proactively create a diagnostic test for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne disease common in Southeast Asia, which has not yet been seen in the U.S.

Dr. Phillip Gauger, head of the VDL’s molecular testing unit, explained that the swift response to PEDV highlighted the importance of preparation. "With PEDV, we had to play a little catch-up to manage the large caseload. That’s not to say that will happen with JEV, but because of our experience with PEDV and knowing the U.S. swine industry is always at risk for emerging or transboundary viruses, we want to be prepared," said Gauger, a professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine.

JEV became a higher priority after it spread to Australia in 2022. The Swine Health Information Center, an industry organization funded by the pork checkoff, supported the development of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for JEV. PCR is a genetically based screening method considered the gold standard for diagnosing diseases like COVID-19.

The project at the ISU VDL was led by Rahul Nelli, a research assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine. Developing a PCR diagnostic test begins with analyzing the pathogen’s genetic sequence to identify distinct sections targeted by primers, small DNA segments that carry a fluorescent dye. These primers attach only to unique portions of the pathogen's genetic code. As samples undergo a series of heating, cooling, and enzyme treatments to promote DNA duplication, many strands containing the fluorescent primers are created. If the testing machines detect the fluorescent signal, the sample is positive for the virus.

Nelli noted that the test for JEV drew from an earlier design used during the Australian outbreak but required adjustments because the primers in the previous test also detected the closely related West Nile Virus, which is also mosquito-borne.

Obtaining known samples of JEV for testing was challenging since the virus hasn't been detected in the U.S. Nelli acquired inactivated JEV samples from the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses in Galveston, Texas. "You can’t just get those anywhere. These samples are very controlled," he said.

The VDL test will undergo further validation on known samples in Australia to confirm its accuracy, a process that could take about a year. For use in regulatory testing, the test must be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Having a federally approved JEV test ready could mitigate the damage of a potential outbreak, which could reduce U.S. pork production by 1-2% and lead to economic losses up to $612 million, as estimated by the Swine Health Information Center. While most JEV cases in pigs cause minor symptoms, the virus can lead to neurological and reproductive issues.

JEV also poses risks to other animals, including humans. Although severe symptoms in humans are rare, they can be fatal in approximately 30% of cases where they develop, according to the World Health Organization. The ISU-developed test, which can detect all five JEV genotypes, could potentially be used for humans as well.

The project underscores the significant role the VDL plays in animal and human health. The lab's extensive resources and unmatched volume of food animal samples provide a unique advantage in developing new diagnostic tools. "These tests are hard for other labs to develop because they don’t have the sheer sample volume of the ISU VDL. We have so much volume that when we’re doing this testing, you get the statistical power of thousands of samples a day," Nelli said.

Golf House Iowa Museum Opens to Public After 3-Year Development

Chad Pitts, the executive director of the Iowa Golf Association, believes Iowa's golf history is "underrated." For over 15 years, Pitts and others envisioned a place to honor the state's achievements in golf, from notable individuals like two-time major championship winner Zach Johnson to significant tournaments held in Des Moines.

In 2021, Pitts and his team began meeting with donors about their vision for Golf House Iowa, the first physical museum to showcase Iowa golf and its Hall of Fame. Now, three years and $4.5 million later, the museum opened to the public on May 30.

"People don't totally recognize or understand how much there is," Pitts said. "So hopefully, when they come and take a look at everything we've done, maybe they'll have a better understanding of that.”

About 300 donors contributed to the project, with Julie and Michael Coppola, a Des Moines real estate developer and owner of Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk, being the most significant givers at $1 million. Golf House Iowa is also built on land donated by the Coppolas, overlooking the ninth green of Echo Valley’s Creek Course.

The IGA partnered with First Tee-Central Iowa and the Iowa Turfgrass Institute, among seven total nonprofit organizations housed in the building. The lower level of Golf House Iowa focuses on First Tee's youth programming, featuring an indoor golf simulator, an indoor and outdoor putting green, and multipurpose meeting rooms. These tools aim to grow the game by providing quality spaces and education to local youth.

"That's really cool to start having those junior kids come through because a lot of them are from disadvantaged backgrounds," Pitts said. "First Tee teaches them the game of golf and life skills like honesty, integrity, and respect."

Other sections of the building showcase Iowa's golf history with original videos, texts, and interactive touchscreen displays, along with memorabilia primarily consisting of trophies.

“We’ve created new materials with our photos and videos to bring the story of golf in Iowa to life, honoring individuals and golf courses in a way we think people will really enjoy," Pitts said.

The idea of Golf House Iowa was first discussed in 2007, but the economic recession halted financial discussions. The idea resurfaced in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project again. Now, Pitts is happy to see the vision come to life after many years.

“It’s really cool," Pitts said. "Instead of just having white walls in the building, there’s stuff on them. There’s pictures, there’s information. It’s really neat."

Highlights at Golf House Iowa

Top Iowa natives featured at the museum:

• Zach Johnson (Iowa City, 2007 Masters and 2015 Open Championship winner)

• Jack Fleck (Bettendorf, 1955 U.S. Open winner after beating Ben Hogan in a playoff)

• Judy Kimball Simon (Sioux City, 1962 LPGA Championship winner)

• Mike McCoy (West Des Moines, 2023 Walker Cup winning captain)

Top golf tournaments held in Iowa:

• 1999 U.S. Senior Open (Des Moines Golf and Country Club)

• 2017 Solheim Cup (Des Moines Golf and Country Club)

Ready to showcase your property to potential buyers? Share your upcoming open house details with us at [email protected] and we'll help spread the word in our newsletter!

Ames, IA Real Estate & Homes For Sale

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259 N Hyland Ave Ames, IA 50014 Selling Price: $240,000; Estimated Mortgage: $1,557 per month. Studio; Size: 2,256 sqft

2911 Green Hills Dr Ames, IA 50014 Selling Price: $699,500; Estimated Mortgage: $4,417 per month. Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Size: 2,740 sqft

1411 Clark Ave Ames, IA 50010 Selling Price: $345,000; Estimated Mortgage: $2,206 per month. Beds: 5 Baths: 3 Size: 2,332 sqft

259 Hyland Ave Ames, IA 50014 Selling Price: $240,000; Estimated Mortgage: $1,557 per month. Beds: 5 Baths: 2 Size: 1,876 sqft

5716 McFarland Ave Ames, IA 50010 Selling Price: $389,000; Estimated Mortgage: $4,489 per month. Beds: 5 Baths: 3 Size: 1,908 sqft

Click Here For the Full List of All Available Properties

Dog of the Day

Meet Luna, our featured Dog of the Day! Luna is a 2-year-old Beagle with a curious and adventurous spirit. She loves exploring new trails, sniffing out hidden treasures, and playing with her favorite squeaky toys. Luna is known for her playful energy and enjoys spending time with her family, whether it's running around in the backyard or curling up for a cozy nap. Her bright eyes and cheerful personality bring joy to everyone she meets.

Congratulations to Luna for being the Dog of the Day!

If you have a canine companion who deserves a moment in the spotlight, don't hesitate to reach out to us at allaboutames.com. We can't wait to hear from you!

Today’s Affirmation

"Today, I am open to new possibilities. I trust my intuition and believe in my ability to navigate challenges with grace and strength."

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