Commercial Ag Weed and Plant Disease Course Set for Nov. 18
(Posted on 10/30/2009)
Plymouth County Extension Office will offer the Commercial Ag Weed, Insect and Plant Disease Management Continuing Instructional Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. The prerecorded program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension Pest Management and the Environment (PME) program.

Mid to Late September- 2009 Hay Price Update
(Posted on 10/1/2009)
These are hay prices paid at auction in the recent past weeks. Much of the price information is obtained from USDA Hay Market News. Personal contacts of local Iowa hay auctions secured price information for these market outlets. Auctions were chosen to reflect prices across Iowa. Other nearby auctions may exist. No endorsement of the listed auctions is intended.

Plymouth County 4-H'ers Participate in the Le Mars Chalk Art Festival
(Posted on 9/22/2009)
The Plymouth County 4-H Council and the America Bells 4-H Club took part in the Le Mars Chalk Art Festival held on September 18-19.

4-H Zooms into 4-H Week
(Posted on 9/21/2009)
National 4-H Week will take off with a speedy start on October 4th, as the 4-H emblem makes its debut appearance in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The well-known national icon will be featured on the ‘TV panel’ of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet driven by Jeff Gordon at Kansas Speedway that day. The placement of the 4-H clover on the No. 24 Chevrolet was made possible through a generous donation by DuPont, sponsor of both the No. 24 team and of 4-H.

2010 Garden Calendars Are Here!!
(Posted on 9/21/2009)
The 2010 Iowa State University Garden Calendars have arrived. The theme of this year's calendar is Growing Green. This 12-month calendar features beautiful photos, gardening tips, and horticulture ideas for any type of gardener.

Weaning Management Meeting Available Online
(Posted on 9/21/2009)
The Iowa Beef Center is adding online meetings to the way it offers information. In addition to holding local meetings and statewide conferences, a new format – the online meeting – is being debuted this fall.

McGill Says ISU Extension Is ‘Open for Business’ in Region 5
(Posted on 9/10/2009)
Sherry McGill understands that many Iowans are concerned about how Iowa State University Extension will function locally now that the organization has restructured into regions. But she’s quick to reassure them. “We still exist and are open for business. Let us know what you need,” said McGill, the new director for ISU Extension Region 5, covering Monona, Plymouth and Woodbury counties.

Norm and Ruth Barker Inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame
(Posted on 9/10/2009)
Norm and Ruth Barker of Plymouth County were inducted into the 2009 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 23.

2009 Fall Commercial Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instructional Dates
(Posted on 9/10/2009)
The 2009 Commercial Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instructional dates have been announced. Continuing Instruction are for applicators that are renewing their certification for Commercial Pesticide Application.

Iowa Beef Center Newsletter
(Posted on 9/1/2009)
Here is this month's newsletter from the Iowa Beef Center. The topic for the March issue was manure value, and IBC nutrient specialist Joe Lally wrote a piece on improving the value of your manure; he was also the featured staff member. Software specialist Garland Dahlke gave an overview of the Manure Nutrient Value Calculator that producers can access through the IBC Web site.

Plymouth County’s Caine Westergard Crowned 2009 Iowa State Fair Queen
(Posted on 8/20/2009)
Caine Westergard, 17, of Plymouth County was crowned the 2009 Iowa State Fair Queen on Saturday, August 15, by Gary VanAernam, president of the Fair Board. The ceremony took place on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.

Tip of the Week
(Posted on 8/20/2009)
Extension Tip of the Week (TOW) is sent directly by e-mail. Tips are sent weekly covering a variety of subjects. To subscibe to Tip of the Week, send an e-mail to caroljo@iastate.edu with TOW in the subject line and we will add your name to the list.

State Officials Scouting NE Iowa for Emerald Ash Borer After Larva Found, Infestation Not Confirmed
(Posted on 6/4/2009)
ELKADER - Efforts to scout portions of northeast Iowa for the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) have intensified following the submission of an EAB larva to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The larva was reportedly from Clayton County, however no additional EAB larvae have been found and no signs of infestation have been spotted in the immediate area.

Extension’s Energy Tip for May 2009
(Posted on 6/3/2009)
Let there be light — with solar powered outdoor lighting. Installation is quick and easy, with no wires or electricity costs. Learn more about renewable energy options.

Laundry Tips
(Posted on 5/18/2009)
Washing clothes is one of the first skills to master when living on your own. Keeping clothes looking new and free of stains can also help with keeping spending low. Use these ISU Extension publications to learn new tips in cleaning clothes.

Help Kids Track Their Spending in Tough Times
(Posted on 4/13/2009)
Many moms and dads are keeping track of their spending as they try to make their money stretch in today’s economy. It’s a good practice for adults to acquire, but it’s also a good habit for children. Iowa State University Extension has a publication that can help.

Eat Smart by Smart Planning
(Posted on 1/22/2009)
Check out Extension's website about spending less and eating better. This website features meal planning, smart shopping, receipes and snacks, and many more tips.

Barn Quilts of Plymouth County
(Posted on 1/12/2009)
Looking to add a little character to your barn. Barn quilts are becoming the lastest barn craze in Plymouth County. The barn quilts not only add to your interest but also the interest of people driving by your barn.

Looking to Become a Master Gardener?
(Posted on 11/12/2008)
Do you want to become a master gardener? What defines a master gardener? If you are asking yourself some of these questions you should consider becoming a master gardener. The spring session for Master Gardeners is coming quickly. The local session begins January 2009.