County News

The next Women, Land and Legacy meeting will be held on May 23, 2013. Paula Petersburg from Clear Lake Bank & Trust (with help from Marc and Mark) will give a presentation on “Planning Around New Federal Estate Tax Laws and Higher Land Values."  The meeting will be held from 5:30-8 pm at the 4-H Learning Center, North Iowa Events Center, Mason City.

Women, Land and Legacy discussion meetings offer presentations and discussion on topics that are a concern of women involved in farming. Everyone is invited to come. Please let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions for discussion topics by calling Cerro Gordo County Extension, 641-423-0844.

Our Quarterly Newsletter contains information on Agriculture, Communities, Families, Horticulture, and 4-H & Youth programs!

Do tubing, hiking, and s'mores sound like fun? Then 4-H Camp is the place for you! Space is limited, and you will not want to be left out. Camp information for June 2013 will be coming soon.

Cerro Gordo County 4-H Teen Council found out that serving the community can be a fun experience in itself. The 4-H Teen Council spent Wednesday evening purchasing Toys for Tots at Mills Fleet Farm in Mason City.

Twenty-seven people from throughout north-central Iowa recently participated in the Iowa Master Conservationist class.  Master Conservationists are individuals that share an interest in the sustainability of Iowa’s natural resources and in becoming better stewards of Iowa’s resources.

Master Gardener Classes will be scheduled again soon! Anyone interested in gardening is encouraged to call Cerro Gordo County Extension at 641-423-0844! Master Gardeners are individuals who have an interest in horticulture, have taken the Master Gardener training offered by Extension, and use that training to volunteer for 40 hours in their communities.

"In response to freezing temperatures, the oxalic acid in the leaves will translocate (move) to the rhubarb stalk. Once frozen, the leaf tissue will initially appear 'water soaked' and then wilt, and eventually blacken along the edges or where tissue was damaged. Once the plant experiences a damaging freeze, the stalks should not be eaten, and should be removed from the plant.

 If you or someone you know is interested in joining the 4-H program or would like more information, please contact the Cerro Gordo County Extension office at 641-423-0844.  You can also e-mail Alicia Schmitta at schmitta@iastate.edu  for more information.
 

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic insect that is destructive to ash trees (Fraxinus species). The adult stage causes minor feeding damage to ash foliage. The larval stage feeds beneath the bark and disrupts water and nutrient flow within the tree,