BUISINESS BRIEFS: Ossman retiring; TSC fundraising for FFA; Iowa Department of Revenue website

Ossman retiring from 44-year career

Dee Ossman will be retiring from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after a 44-year career in nursing on Friday, Sept. 6.

After attending Highland High School, she knew she wanted to be either a teacher or a nurse. One career choice won out, and she graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1975 with a BSN in nursing. Her first job was at Washington County Hospital and Clinics where she worked in the Labor and Delivery department for many years. In 1998, she joined the In Vitro Fertilization Clinic at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Anyone lucky enough to have had Ossman as their nurse knows that she was one of the best. Even during stressful situations, she was always able to maintain a calm demeanor and made every patient feel cared for. She has helped bring many babies into the world over the past four decades.

Tractor Supply Company celebrates FFA convention with T-shirt fundraiser

Tractor Supply Company's fifth annual FFA Convention T-shirt fundraiser launches started Wednesday, Aug. 28, in stores nationwide.

For a limited time, Tractor Supply customers can purchase a limited edition FFA Convention themed long sleeve T-shirt to celebrate the 92nd National FFA Convention & Expo, which takes place later this fall. Net proceeds from T-shirt sales will go directly to the National FFA Foundation and will be used to fund programs and activities for FFA chapters across the country.

The limited-edition t-shirt has the official FFA Convention & Expo logo printed across the front, which consists of hexagonal molecules and gold rows. The molecules represent the innovative side of FFA, and the gold rows represent crops – serving as a tip of the hat to traditional agriculture. Customers can purchase the shirt for $12.99 plus tax at any Tractor Supply store. The shirt will also be available to purchase online with an in-store pickup.

Funds raised this year will benefit three FFA programs: Gift of Gold, Living to Serve and Alumni Legacy Grants. This year is the debut year for Gift of Gold, a program that awards grants to chapters devastated by natural disasters. Living to Serve is a program that empowers students to positively impact their communities through leadership opportunities, and the Alumni Legacy Grants enable local chapters to help local high schools build or strengthen their alumni chapters.

In 2018, the T-shirt fundraiser generated more than $340,000 for chapters nationwide through the Living to Serve and Alumni Legacy grants. Since the start of this fundraiser, Tractor Supply has raised a total of $1.1M for FFA programs.

In addition to being sold in Tractor Supply stores, the shirts will be available at the 92nd National FFA Convention & Expo, held Oct. 30 - Nov. 2 in Indianapolis. The event is one of the world's largest student conventions – with nearly 70,000 attendees and more than 400 exhibiting companies – that brings FFA members together to inspire their peers and celebrate their many accomplishments.

New website helps taxpayers, tax prfessionals

The Iowa Department of Revenue has launched an all-new website to help taxpayers and tax professionals more easily find and access information.

The new site is located at the same address, www.tax.iowa.gov, and includes better navigation, improved search functions, and a simplified homepage. The Department utilized customer feedback and data analytics in designing and building the site.

'The Department's vision is that Iowa should be a state where it is easy to understand and comply with tax obligations -- and our website needs to support that idea,' said Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen. 'We understand that in order to do this, information needs to be easily accessible to taxpayers and tax professionals. We listened to user frustrations and suggestions and incorporated their ideas in the new site.'

Designed with taxpayers in mind, the new website will provide users with:

• Simplified home page. Informational banners highlight important items from the Department, easier access to the most-used applications, and recent news from the department.

• Better navigation. Navigate the website by who you are using I Am... or by what you need to do using I Need To… Policy information, reports, education, and tax reform information from the Department are now organized under Resources. The Need Help? menu provides easy access to common questions, fraud reporting, and contacting us.

• Improved search. Easily search the website for information you need.

• Updated forms library. Forms are now accessible from the main menu and are easier to search.

• Common Questions library. Get answers to common questions by using the topic filter or searching by keyword.

• Responsive design. The site adjusts to the user's device and screen size.