The Iowa Green Jobs Task Force was created by Gov. Chet Culver when he signed Executive Order 16 on Thursday. The 15-member panel will help the state in its efforts to create high-paying “green-collar” jobs, and help it coordinate efforts to secure federal green initiative grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Roya Stanley, director of the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, will serve as chair. The task force must present a report to Culver by Oct. 1 providing recommendations on ways to expand green-collar jobs in Iowa.

Hy-Vee Inc. launched its largest program ever this morning to offer Hatch chile peppers, a Southwest delicacy, at an event featuring Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico secretary of agriculture, and Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of agriculture. Hy-Vee purchased nearly 80,000 pounds of the peppers, which are only available about six weeks each year. The move helps better connect Iowa and New Mexico’s agriculture industry, according to Hy-Vee Assistant Vice President Doug Riley.

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller will speak at a public hearing with the Federal Reserve scheduled for 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 321 Euclid Ave., Des Moines. Iowans who were personally affected by the economic downturn will provide testimony to Federal Reserve officials, and a variety of other speakers will talk about providing consumer financial protection. The event is free, but ticketed due to limited seating. Register by e-mailing David Goodner at david@iowacci.org or calling (515) 282-0484.

Des Moines-based FBL Financial Group Inc.’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 6.25 cents per share to owners of Class A and Class B common stock on Thursday. The dividend will be payable on Sept. 30 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 15.

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.5 percent in July from 6.2 percent in June, and the U.S. unemployment rate declined to 9.4 percent in July from 9.5 percent in June. In July 2008 Iowa unemployment stood at 4.1 percent; the U.S. rate was 5.8 percent. The estimate total of unemployed people in Iowa was 109,100. The figure stood at 69,300 in July 2008.