Cass County News
Cass County 4-H Newsletter (Posted on 2/3/2012)
What's inside the most recent 4-H newsletter? Information about important upcoming events, 4-H news from around the county, and opportunities to connect with others. 
Wanted! New 4-H Volunteers Invited to 4-H Training Program! (Posted on 1/20/2012)
This spring, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H staff across Iowa will join together to provide new 4-H club/project and Clover Kids volunteers with a newly designed training program. The program was created by a team of 4-H volunteers, county youth coordinators, and youth program specialists. Learn more about this regional training, and sign up to attend on March 17th in Atlantic! 
Business and Risk Management Class for Farm Women Offered (Posted on 1/13/2012)
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in Cass County is excited to offer Annie's Project in Atlantic in February and March. Annie's Project empowers farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information. Join Cass County Extension and Friends for an Application Extravaganza (Posted on 12/22/2011)
Join former 4-H’ers and Extension staff as we explore the best tactics for developing successful material for applications, resumes and more. These youth will leave knowing the basics and options to further explore. This event is open to 9th-12th graders, both 4-H’ers and those not in the program. Application Extravaganza is January 2 at 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center. Keep Soaring with 4-H (Posted on 12/16/2011)
Leaders: Join other 4-H volunteers, staff and 4-H members for a fun-filled, memorable weekend at the state-wide volunteer retreat. You will network and learn about innovative program that will bring fresh perspectives and activities to do in your 4-H club. Friday evening, Feb. 11 is networking/fellowship type gathering with hands-on activities. Workshops, fun and networking fill the day on Sat. Feb. 12, 2012.
All activities will be at the Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny.
Registration is only $10 and additional information is available: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/Volunteers/retreat.htm
Reach Out Iowa Funding Supports Service Learning (Posted on 12/15/2011)
The Reach Out Iowa program continues to support service learning projects among our 4-H clubs across the state. For 4-H clubs whose leaders completed the spring 2011 training, funding is available at a maximum of $20 per planning team club member. The funds can directly support the costs of service learning activities. The funds can be combined with other grants.
First Frost/Freeze of Fall Raises Forage Questions (Posted on 9/12/2011)
The first frost of the autumn generally brings a flurry of forage related questions. These questions usually center on three general topics:
toxic prussic acid potential and management of frosted sudangrass and sorghum sudangrass hybrids;
suspected toxic of frosted alfalfa to grazing animals; and
now that we've had frost, should I harvest the last alfalfa cutting?
Reduce Risk of Mycotoxin Contamination by Scouting Fields for Ear Rot (Posted on 8/29/2011)
Hail storms damaged several corn and soybean fields in parts of Iowa last week. In some areas, the corn and beans are completely lodged as a result of the storm. In other areas, leaves are significantly stripped, but the grain seems relatively undamaged.
During the 2009 growing season, approximately one million acres of crops from Sac to Grundy Counties were damaged by a single hail storm. Most of the corn crop was at growth stage R2. We conducted a survey to assess the impact of hail damage on grain quality (Robertson et al., 2010). We found that hail damage to kernels increased the risk of ear rot and mycotoxin contamination. 
Preserve the Taste of Summer (Posted on 7/29/2011)
Home food preservation isn't difficult, but it does require following specific directions exactly. 
Words on Wellness - your Extension connection to nutrition and fitness (Posted on 7/15/2011)
Welcome to the"Words on Wellness." a monthly newsletter that promotes a healthy lifestyle for Iowans. In each issue, you'll gain reliable, research based information about nutrition, exercise, and food safety, and explore the power of incorporating healthy practices into daily living for you and your family. 
Current Hay Prices (Posted on 3/29/2011)
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. 
Common Problems of Ash Trees (Posted on 3/1/2011)
Ash trees are no longer recommended
for planting in the Midwest because of the threat
of the emerald ash borer, a highly-destructive
wood-boring insect pest. However, ash trees remain
important as up to 6 percent of woodland trees and up
to 70 percent of urban trees are ash species. Other ash problems are often mistaken for emerald ash borer infestation, so ash trees may be needlessly removed or treated with pesticides as a result. This diagnostic guide is intended to help you distinguish
emerald ash borer injury from other common problems of ash. Cass County Resource Directory (Posted on 6/1/2010)
Cass County Extension Office has organized a resource directory outlining the agencies and services offered in Cass County.
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