April 2012

The National 4-H Council and the Walmart Foundation are supporting 4-H Healthy Living programs across the country through Walmart Foundation Healthy Living Youth Voice, Youth Choice grants. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has received one of the 15 state grants and is using a portion of the money to provide mini-grants to Master Gardeners and 4-H youth to develop partnerships at the county level.

Learn how to emulate nature with permaculture during the May 3 Virtual Eco Family Conference taught by Fred Meyer, chair and executive director of Backyard Abundance. Meyer will teach about the principles of permaculture and how to mimic nature to produce food in small spaces.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is growing strong families in southern Iowa, and now has the credential to prove it. The Growing Strong Families Program has earned the Iowa Family Support Credential from the Iowa Department of Management and Public Health. The program is a comprehensive family experience for expectant parents as well as parents and caregivers of children from birth through age 5.

Warm spring weather brings out many critters, including some that homeowners may not like to see in their yards — snakes. While there is no 100-percent effective snake deterrent, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has tips on making a home landscape as “snake-free” as possible.