It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Elberon gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Elberon, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Johnny's Italian Steakhouse or visit Elberon, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Elberon, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Elberon, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Elberon, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, March 28, those who use and frequent Hwy 21 between the Elberon turn at E44 and U.S. 30 will need to find an alternate route to their destination for at least the next 18 months as construction begins on a new interchange project.The planned closure on Hwy 21 was announced by the Iowa Dept. of Transportation (Iowa DOT) in a press release dated March 15. The $16.4 million project is included in the Iowa DOT’s 2022-2026 improvement plan and passed through the bid letting process in October of last...
Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, March 28, those who use and frequent Hwy 21 between the Elberon turn at E44 and U.S. 30 will need to find an alternate route to their destination for at least the next 18 months as construction begins on a new interchange project.
The planned closure on Hwy 21 was announced by the Iowa Dept. of Transportation (Iowa DOT) in a press release dated March 15. The $16.4 million project is included in the Iowa DOT’s 2022-2026 improvement plan and passed through the bid letting process in October of last year.
According to Iowa DOT engineer Dustin Skogerboe, the project will be similar to the new interchange recently constructed southeast of Van Horne at the U.S. 218 /U.S. 30 interchange but instead of loop ramps, the Hwy 21/U.S. 30 project will be a diamond interchange with traffic flowing on and off the interstate in a diamond shape.
Construction will require closing Hwy 21 north of U.S. 30 at E44 – the Elberon turn – and south of U.S. 30 in Belle Plaine. Both northbound and southbound traffic on Hwy 21 will be detoured around the work zone through Benton County.
A map of the detour route provided by the Iowa DOT’s Marshalltown office shows the detour leaving Hwy 21 at the Elberon turn on E44 and heading east to Keystone before turning south on V42 until the intersection with U.S. 30; the detour then backtracks west on U.S. 30 to the Belle Plaine turn, heading south toward Belle Plaine on V40; the final leg of the southbound detour heads west into Belle Plaine on E66, meeting back up with Hwy 21.
A map of the detour around the Hwy 21/U.S. 30 interchange project work zone from the north and south of U.S. 30 with green dashes representing the detour route. –Map provided by Iowa Dept. of Transportation
The current schedule is to complete the interchange and open it to traffic in the fall of 2023, pending any delays during construction.
Skogerboe said a closure of this length is typical for a project that involves widening a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway while also building a new interchange and bridge.
The widening of the roughly 12 miles of two-lane highway that remains along U.S. 30 – mostly in Benton County – is slated to also begin in 2022 and finish in 2024 according to the Iowa DOT’s 2022-2026 improvement plan.
TAMA COUNTY – The deadline to file as a candidate for the Tuesday, Nov. 7 city and school elections came and went last week with mostly incumbents vying for local seats alongside several newcomers.For the second time in as many municipal elections, Union Community Schools’ District 1 seat saw no candidate file. Similarly, in the town of Clutier, not a single candidate filed for either council or mayor.“If no one runs for an office, it is open to write ins,” Tama County Elections Administrator Karen Rohrs...
TAMA COUNTY – The deadline to file as a candidate for the Tuesday, Nov. 7 city and school elections came and went last week with mostly incumbents vying for local seats alongside several newcomers.
For the second time in as many municipal elections, Union Community Schools’ District 1 seat saw no candidate file. Similarly, in the town of Clutier, not a single candidate filed for either council or mayor.
“If no one runs for an office, it is open to write ins,” Tama County Elections Administrator Karen Rohrs told Tama-Grundy Publishing in an email.
If an individual elected by the most write-in votes declines the seat in a city election, however, several steps ensue.
The write-in candidate may submit a letter of resignation to the city clerk by 5 p.m. on the 10th day following the official canvass. If that does not happen within 10 days — and the winner fails to take the oath of office by the beginning of the new term — the office is considered vacant.
But if a letter of resignation is submitted within the time frame after the final canvass, the individual who received the next-highest number of write-in votes is notified and allowed to accept the seat.
If this second highest vote-getter declines, however, the city council may appoint someone to the office within 60 days of the vacancy, according to Iowa Code.
Union Community School District
The Union school board has four seats up for election this fall including seats in District 1, District 3, District 4, and At-Large.
In an echo of the 2021 election, no candidate filed for the District 1 seat that expires in 2023 and is currently held by board member Brandon Paine. The seat encompasses portions of the Black Hawk County precinct Big Creek/Spring Creek/La Porte City including the city of La Porte as well as the immediate surrounding area bordered by Kober Road to the west and East Eagle Road to the north, while roughly following the Cedar River to King Road in the east. The Black Hawk-Benton county line provides the district’s southern boundary.
During the 2021 election, current District 1 Director Reid Carlson mounted a write-in campaign for his seat and subsequently accepted the office.
It remains to be seen if this is how the empty spot on Union’s ballot will be addressed during the 2023 election.
Incumbents Corey Lorenzen of La Porte City and Ben Schemmel of Dysart filed paperwork for their At-Large and District 4 seats, respectively, while newcomer Carleen McGivern of Dysart filed for the District 3 seat currently held by Jenna Scott who did not file.
North Tama Community School District
The North Tama school board has three seats up for election including District 5, District 6, and District 7. Incumbents Doug Dvorak of Clutier and David Boldt of Traer filed paperwork for the District 6 and District 7 seats, respectively, while newcomer Jenny Sniffin of Traer filed for the District 5 seat currently held by Valerie Bradley who did not file.
Dysart city election
In the city of Dysart, the mayor and two city council seats are on the ballot this year. Incumbents Stacey Dabney and Mary Wankowicz were the only candidates to file for the two, four-year term seats, while Mayor Glenn was the only candidate to file for the mayor’s four-year term seat.
Traer city election
In the city of Traer a contested election is shaping up for the position of mayor with both incumbent mayor Peter Holden and challenger Kennan Seda filing paperwork for the two-year term seat.
On the ballot for city council, a contested election is also heating up with five candidates filing for three, four-year term seats including incumbents Carri Holst and Patrisha Kennedy, as well as newcomers Derek Gaydos, Brad E. Rund, and Chad Taylor. Incumbent city councilor Matt Rausch elected not to run again.
Clutier city election
In the city of Clutier, the entire city council’s five, two-year term seats as well as the two-year term office of mayor are on the ballot this year. No candidates filed paperwork for any of the seats.
Elberon city election
In the city of Elberon, two, four-year term city council seats and the mayor’s two-year term seat are up for election. Incumbents filed paperwork for both the council seats and the mayor’s office including city councilors Nancy Braasch and Donald Curry, and Mayor Scott Pippert.
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Below are the unofficial Election Night results with all Tama County precincts reporting for the 2021 city and school elections. The totals reflect absentee votes and votes for candidates that were on the ballot.Write-in votes have not been tallied and will be available later in the week at the earliest.The canvas of the city and school election will occur next week Monday at 10 a.m. at the Tama County Administration Building in Toledo.South Tama School Board, District 1 (vote for 1)Elizabeth Dole...
Below are the unofficial Election Night results with all Tama County precincts reporting for the 2021 city and school elections. The totals reflect absentee votes and votes for candidates that were on the ballot.
Write-in votes have not been tallied and will be available later in the week at the earliest.
The canvas of the city and school election will occur next week Monday at 10 a.m. at the Tama County Administration Building in Toledo.
South Tama School Board, District 1 (vote for 1)
Elizabeth Dolezal – 521
Nikki Kemper Pansegrau – 365
Tessa Matherly – 115
South Tama School Board, District 4 (vote for 1)
Beth Wiese – 784
Tama City Council (vote for 2)
Brian Hanus – 212
Emily Babinat – 131
Matthew Beatty – 126
Kristi Eisentrager – 73
Randy Fairchild – 38
Toledo Mayor
Brian Sokol – 275
Toledo City Council (vote for 3)
Duane Pansegrau – 221
Cathy Cook – 194
*Write-in votes yet to be tallied for the third Toledo City Council seat
Montour Mayor
Vicky Garske – 50
Montour City Council (vote for 3)
Kelsey Staker – 53
Dave Heckman – 49
Alan Kelley – 47
Susan Eberhart – 36
Doris Walsh – 36
Chelsea Mayor
Leif Morris – 37
Craig Forcht – 16
Chelsea City Council (vote for 2)
Melissa Osipchack – 30
Amy Walters – 29
Elberon Mayor
Scott Pippert – 36
Elberon City Council (vote for 3)
Adam Glunz – 31
Judy Upah – 36
Rynonda Franzen – 29
Elberon City Council (to fill a vacancy, vote for 1)
Linn R. Snell – 2
Clutier Mayor
Gordon Fassett – 34
Clutier City Council (vote for 5)
Phillip C. Breja – 35
Sue Kupka – 32
Gary Pearson – 34
Keith Erickson – 35
DeAnn Weber – 31
Iowa Valley Community College District 6 Director (vote for 1)
Joanna Hofer – 793
Tama County Totals
Registered Voters – 9,829
Votes Cast (including absentee, in-person and write-in votes) – 2,185
Turnout Percentage – 22% turnout
Generations of farmers will remember the derecho that tore across the Midwest on August 10, 2020.Generations of farmers will remember the derecho that tore across the Midwest on August 10, 2020. The storm compounded troubles for a U.S. farm economy already battered by extreme weather, the U.S-China trade war, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, farmers and cooperatives are continuing rebuilding efforts while also dealing with volatile markets and supply issues. What happened August 10, 2020? "The derecho wa...
Generations of farmers will remember the derecho that tore across the Midwest on August 10, 2020.
Generations of farmers will remember the derecho that tore across the Midwest on August 10, 2020. The storm compounded troubles for a U.S. farm economy already battered by extreme weather, the U.S-China trade war, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, farmers and cooperatives are continuing rebuilding efforts while also dealing with volatile markets and supply issues.
"The derecho was not in the forecast," says Justin Glisan, Iowa state climatologist. The storm system began early the morning of August 10 in southern South Dakota, he says. By 9 a.m., it had crossed the Iowa/Nebraska border and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued.
Glisan hoped the storm system would stick together and bring relief to the west-central part of Iowa, which was suffering from extreme drought. However, near Carroll, Iowa, it "hit a very unstable atmosphere, and that's where it exploded."
Glisan says he knew it was coming about an hour and a half before it happened. "The National Weather Service issued a rare alert labeling the storm system a particularly dangerous situation," he says.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture estimates that 3.5 million acres of corn and 2.5 million acres of soybeans grown within a 36-county area across the central part of the state were hit the hardest.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and southern Wisconsin were the most affected. The greatest damage was found in central and eastern Iowa where wind speeds measured 126 mph during the storm; post-damage surveys estimated some areas likely experienced 140 mph winds.
Destruction was so severe, insurers are still processing claims.
"We strive to adjust and resolve claims accurately and as quickly as possible," says Chad Zierke, vice president, commercial claims of Nationwide Insurance. "The derecho was devastating to so many farmers, and we've been working around the clock to help our members rebuild." As of June, Nationwide reported nearly 85% of derecho-related claims had been resolved or were in the process.
Ben Olson was able to quickly build back his cattle and row crop farm south of Vinton in eastern Iowa, despite loss to 35 structures in four feedlot locations.
"All the buildings and sheds were either completely destroyed or had minor issues. Our home had minor issues, but all of our bins were also damaged."
Olson's 2013 machine shed collapsed and crushed a combine, tractor, and grain cart, all waiting to be used the next month for the 2020 harvest.
"On top of not only fixing buildings, sheds, and bins, we had to get a combine and corn head purchased to start harvesting in a few weeks," says Olson. "It was one of those days you never forget and hope you never have to live through again."
Cattle barns were rebuilt after harvest and throughout the winter. In June, they finalized their grain bin facilities.
"Our goal was to be completely rebuilt by Labor Day, so we're getting pretty close with just a few minor repairs left to do," Olson says. "We were very proactive and got rebuilds, equipment, and parts ordered right away."
Nearly 20 miles south of Olson, cattle and row crop farmer Brad Hertle lost his home plus all his bins, two machine sheds, and other buildings.
"We're in the process of rebuilding our home. However, one machine shed is up as well as a hoop building and cattle shed," Hertle says. "There's still quite a bit left to do and clean up, but we're almost done."
On the positive side, Hertle was able to harvest all of his 2020 crops.
"It was a slow, painful process, but with the way the grain markets have gone this year, I feel lucky we did harvest," he says. "But we also didn't have any bins to store the harvest, so we bagged all of it."
Thirty minutes east of Hertle's operation is row crop farmer Ryan Vavroch, who suffered similar damage. Vavroch farms 1,400 acres of a corn-soybean rotation alongside his dad near Elberon, Iowa.
"The day the derecho came through, we were in the process of putting up another bin on our farm," says Vavroch. "There was a company representative at our farm that day finalizing plans for the dryer, so we were able to order new bins that same day."
Although Vavroch lost a total of nine bins on various properties, he spent the majority of his time after the storm helping neighbors who lost more.
"I knew neighbors who had lost their homes and machine sheds, so they were in more need of help than we were as we really had major damage only to our grain bins," he says.
Vavroch's corn crop was zeroed out for the 2020 harvest, but he was able to combine beans. He says volunteer corn has really become an issue this year.
"We raise seed beans and non-GMO soybeans, so we have to be really careful when it comes to volunteer corn," he says. "We're having to make quite a few passes in the fields to spray for it because there's just so much out there."
A crop production survey from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service showed 13.6 million acres of corn were planted across the state of Iowa in 2020. Of those acres, 12.9 million were harvested, 200,000 were chopped for silage, and more than 440,000 were abandoned — the largest number of abandoned acres since the floods of 1993.
One of the biggest concerns for these farmers and many others was the damage to large crop storage facilities just before the 2020 harvest. On-farm and commercial grain storage for about 100 million bushels was lost in the estimated $11 billion in damage to bins, buildings, crops, and more.
Two cooperatives that suffered serious damages were Heartland Cooperative and Mid-Iowa Cooperative.
Heartland Cooperative is a farmer-owned co-op with more than 70 locations across central Iowa, stretching 200 miles from the Missouri River to east-central Iowa. The co-op sustained damages at 45 of its locations, with 10 of those classified as severely damaged.
"There are close to 200 bins across our locations that were impacted with over 40 million bushels of grain storage lost," says Tom Hauschel, CEO of Heartland Co-op. "We have 120 bins that we're just getting started on, and the repairs and rebuilds are ongoing. When we think we're done with one location, we find more structural damages."
Hauschel says Heartland handled the 2020 harvest for customers at several locations by either building bins back quickly or piling crops on the ground.
The Chelsea, Iowa, location that was severely damaged will not be rebuilt, and Hauschel says the board is evaluating whether other locations are worth repairing or if they should be closed.
"Our expectation for revenue losses within the company are going to approach $40 million," Hauschel says. "We're well into $25 million, and by the time we get to October, we expect to approach that $40 million mark."
Mid-Iowa Cooperative has 14 grain facilities, primarily located in the northeastern part of Iowa, where the strongest winds of the derecho hit. Eight locations were hit severely with two destroyed, according to Bruce Kempf, COO of Mid-Iowa Cooperative.
The Midway location, outside of Toledo, Iowa, sustained the most destruction with five large bins severely damaged or leveled. Only one bin was left standing, but the bins were rebuilt quickly, and the facility was operational for the 2020 harvest.
"The bin left standing allowed us to start bringing in beans for the fall," Kempf says. "As one bin was jacked, the other one would be full, and we would go into the next one. We had crews working around the clock to rebuild shortly after the storm."
Kempf believes jumping on the decision to rebuild quickly allowed Midway to capture bushels where others did not rebuild.
"We rebuilt about 4 million bushels of grain storage in 75 days," Kempf says. "It's still a tough year in regard to the amount of corn bushels lost, but farmers in our area are optimistic for the 2021 harvest."
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