Business and Industry Information

Local News

Dubuque Area Farmers' Market Vendor Conference
(Posted on 2/2/2012)
The Dubuque Area Farmers' Market Vendor Conference is putting on Marketing, Merchandising, & Food Safety For Farmers' Market Vendors! on Saturday, February 25, 2012 in Dubuque. It is free and open to the public.

Iowa State Fair Corndog Checkoff
(Posted on 1/25/2012)
From 4H exhibits, funnel cakes, Ferris wheels, food on a stick and free entertainment, to premier livestock events, expansive art displays and the country's largest state fair food department, the Iowa State Fair has something to offer every member of the family. Through the Corndog Tax Checkoff, Iowans can express their love for the Fair and help renovate its historic grounds.

Evaluating Your Estate Plan - A workshop for farm families
(Posted on 1/19/2012)
The "Evaluating Your Estate Plan" workshop will answer estate planning questions and help prepare you for future farm transitions and estate planning.

Food Safety Certification Short Course for Restaurants & Food Handlers
(Posted on 1/18/2012)
Iowa State University Extension will be offering a one day certification course on food safety for food service managers in Cedar Rapids.

2012 Come to the Table Summit
(Posted on 1/12/2012)
The 2012 Come to the Table Summit is scheduled for February 10, 2012 in Iowa City. Organizers hope to increase the amount of local food bought and sold in Iowa by bringing together state and national food buyers with local food producers.

2011 Annual Report - People Advancing People
(Posted on 1/11/2012)
Here in Iowa, people care about each other and their communities. That's why they have invested in Iowa State University - and Extension and Outreach.

Local Farmer Workshops in Eastern Iowa - January 2012 to March 2012
(Posted on 1/10/2012)
Workshops on Business Management and Decision Making on the Farm, Legal Strategies of Land Acquisition and Transfer for Beginning Farmers, Creating a Food Safety Plan for Your Farm and Capturing and Organizing Data for Organic Certification, GAPs Compliance, and Other Endeavors will be available in Eastern Iowa.

Smart Investing @ Your Library
(Posted on 12/27/2011)
Become a confident investor. Sign up for FREE Smart Investing @ Your Library classes.

Spring 2012 Courses for Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicators
(Posted on 12/8/2011)
The dates for the upcoming Spring 2012 courses for Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicators are now available.

eFile For a Fast Income Tax Refund!
(Posted on 12/5/2011)
85% of Iowans filed their income tax return electronically last year! eFile and receive your income tax refund FAST.

New Phone Application will Help Stranded Winter Motorists
(Posted on 12/2/2011)
A new smartphone application from the North Dakota State University Extension Service will help motorists stuck in winter weather.

2011-2012 Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Courses
(Posted on 10/18/2011)
Dates and times have been announced for the 2011-2012 Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Courses in Benton, Buchanan, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Poweshiek, Tama and Washington Counties.

Managing Tough Times
(Posted on 2/18/2011)
ISU Extension's Managing Tough Times website is your one-stop shop for the help you need during tough times.

Program Builder
(Posted on 10/13/2010)
Welcome to the Community and Economic Development Program Builder. It is a web based marketplace where community leaders can review and make selections from a variety of technical assistance, consulting and educational programs that will improve the quality of life in your community.

News from Iowa State University Extension

Videos Demonstrate Internet Supply/Demand Tool for Farmers, Markets and Consumers
(Posted on 11/30/2011)
Take a tour of the MarketMaker website by viewing recently released videos highlighting everything MarketMaker has available. MarketMaker is an online tool connecting family shoppers with farmers and everyone in between – including restaurants and grocery stores.

Bowman to Keynote 4th Annual Veterans’ Procurement Conference
(Posted on 11/9/2011)
Retired U.S. Army First Class Sergeant Dana Bowman's motto is “it’s not the disability, it’s the ability,” and he’ll be sharing his message of conquering adversity at the 4th Annual Veterans’ Procurement Conference Nov. 30 in Ames. The conference will provide vital information to assist Iowa businesses in winning government contracts, while educating veteran-owned businesses on issues critical to their success in this market.

Survey of Western Iowa Manufacturers Details Flood Impacts, Ongoing Recovery Challenges
(Posted on 8/12/2011)
As the Missouri River flood waters slowly begin to recede, western Iowa manufacturers continue to deal with major ongoing challenges such as transportation logistics and workforce issues. ISU Extension and Outreach Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) surveyed manufacturers in the six-county Presidential Disaster Declaration Area that includes Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury counties.

Work Begins on Iowa’s New Local Food and Farm Initiative
(Posted on 8/11/2011)
Craig Chase, ISU Extension farm management specialist and interim marketing program leader at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, will coordinate the Local Food and Farm Initiative, a new statewide program that aims to boost production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumption of Iowa-grown food.

Wanted: Photos for ISU State Fair Exhibit
(Posted on 8/3/2011)
Iowa State University (ISU) is giving Iowans the chance to display photos at the Iowa State Fair. As part of the university's exhibit in the northeast corner of the Varied Industries Building during the fair, Iowa residents are encouraged to submit photos to illustrate how Iowa State and ISU Extension and Outreach are making a difference in their communities.

ISU Extension Support for Those Dealing with Flooding
(Posted on 7/21/2011)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is working with local agencies, media and local businesses to provide resources to families, communities and businesses dealing with the flooding in western Iowa.

Iowa Youth Population Declines According to 2010 Census
(Posted on 6/24/2011)
Iowa’s 17 and younger age group decreased according to 2010 census results. According to the Community Vitality Center report, “Population 18 and Older and 17 and Younger in Iowa’s Counties, 2000 – 2010,” Iowa’s youth population has decreased by 5,645 in the last decade.

Iowa’s Unincorporated Areas Lose Population in 2010 Census
(Posted on 6/22/2011)
Iowa’s unincorporated areas — the countryside outside any town or city limits — lost population according to the 2010 census, reversing a gain seen in the 2000 census, as detailed in the report “Countryside and Town: Population in Iowa’s Counties Within and Outside of Incorporated Places, 1990 – 2010."

Search New Website, Visit Iowa Farms
(Posted on 5/19/2011)
The newly redesigned Visit Iowa Farms website features detailed descriptions of Iowa farms and the ability to map out locations of interest in a select area.

Courses Offer Employees Leadership Training
(Posted on 5/2/2011)
With the Iowa Public Employees Leadership Academy, public sector employees have a convenient and easy-to-access way to gain training that will benefit them as supervisors.

Staff

Amber Bisinger - External Relations Specialist for Southeast Iowa
Phone: 319-377-9839
Fax: 319-377-0475
Email: Bisinger@extension.iastate.edu

Greg Brenneman - Field Specialist, Ag Engineer
Phone: 319-337-2145
Fax: 319-337-7864
Email: gregb@iastate.edu