Cerro Gordo County News
Annie's Project-Education for Farm Women (Posted on 2/9/2012)
Annie's Project-Education for Farm Women is a class that will meet six consecutive Wednesday evenings starting May 23, 2012, from 6-9 pm at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. The registration fee is $75. Please register by May 15, 2012. Annie's Project helps farm women learn about farm management skills in a comfortable setting and is taught and facilitated by women ag professionals. 
4-H Memorial Established for Verna Thenhaus (Posted on 2/2/2012)
Verna Thenhaus, who was an office assistant here at the Cerro Gordo County Extension office for over 30 years, passed away last Saturday, January 28, 2012, at Hospice after a short illness. Verna requested memorial contributions go to your local 4-H chapter. A memorial fund has been set up at Cerro Gordo County Extension in Verna's name. The Cerro Gordo County Extension 4-H Youth Committee will be meeting to decide how the 4-H memorial funds for Verna will be used. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com 
USDA Releases New Plant Hardiness Zone Map (Posted on 2/2/2012)
The USDA recently released a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the Unites States. This is the first time it has been updated since 1990. Most of north central Iowa has been reclassified from zone 4b to zone 5a. Even though your location may now be considered zone 5, I would not recommend replacing all the plants around your home with less hardy trees, shrubs, and perennials. Read more... 
Goldie Meets Cy (Posted on 2/2/2012)
Recent changes in the aquarium at the Cerro Gordo County Extension office result in a meeting between Goldie, the Cerro Gordo County mascot and Cy, the ISU mascot. Read more... 
Women Land & Legacy Meeting (Posted on 1/24/2012)
The next Women, Land and Legacy Meeting is scheduled for February 23, 2012, 5:30-6:00 pm meal, 6:00-8:00 pm, program on Trusts by Paul Petersburg, Financial Updates by Marc Young, and Economic Updates by Mark Hewitt, all of Clear Lake Bank and Trust. Women of all ages are invited. For information contact Cerro Gordo County Extension at 641-423-0844. 
Meetings Grow Local Food Capacity in North Iowa (Posted on 1/13/2012)
Meetings Grow Local Food Capacity in North Iowa - Upcoming local food producer meetings are being planned in North Central Iowa to help encourage planning for the expanding local food opportunities in this region. 
Farmland Value Reaches Historic $6,708 Statewide Average (Posted on 12/14/2011)
AMES, Iowa — Average Iowa farmland value is estimated to be $6,708 per acre, an increase of 32.5 percent from 2010, according to results of the Iowa Land Value Survey conducted in November. This is the highest percentage increase ever recorded by the Iowa State University annual survey. The increase matches results of other recent surveys of Iowa farmland value -- the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank’s estimated 31 percent increase in Iowa land values and the Iowa Chapter of the Realtors Land Institute’s 12.9 percent increase estimated for six months of 2011. The 2011 values are historical peaks. 
Commercial & Private Pesticide Recertification (Posted on 12/12/2011)
Commercial and Private Pesticide Applicator Training information, Cerro Gordo County Extension. For pesticide testing in Mason City at NIACC, call Gary Show at 641-422-4266. 
Connecting Families to the Environment (Posted on 11/30/2011)
The intent of the Connecting Families and the Environment program is to help us make attitude and behavior changes that will ultimately improve our environmental and human health. 
Family Finance Resources (Posted on 11/29/2011)
Brenda Schmitt is the Family Finance Program Specialist providing programming and educational materials for the Northcentral area. Reach Brenda by calling 641.512.0650 or by email at schmitt@iastate.edu. 
Fall 2012 Master Gardener Classes Offered by Cerro Gordo County Extension (Posted on 10/20/2011)
Master Gardener Classes will be scheduled for next fall 2012! Plan to attend! Anyone interested in gardening is encouraged to attend! Master Gardeners are individuals who have an interest in horticulture, have taken the master Gardener training offered by the ISU Extension Service, and share their time and expertise with other gardeners. 
ISU Extension 2012 Garden Wall Calendar (Posted on 10/10/2011)
The ISU Extension 2012 Garden Calendar is now available at the Cerro Gordo County Extension office. This year's theme is "Public Gardens of Iowa!" 
MidDay Moment with Extension (Posted on 10/7/2011)
MidDay Moment is an informational segment provided by KIMT in Mason City for Extension Professionals from Iowa State University and the University of Minnesota to discuss various topics. Take a look at the video clips and enjoy all the information they contain. 
Mennonite Greenhouse Map & Brochure (Posted on 7/6/2011)
Explore the Mennonite Greenhouses in Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard and Mitchell counties. Contact information is available for 12 greenhouses. 
Extension to Families...At Work, At Home Newsletter (Posted on 1/18/2011)
Extension to Families...At Work, At Home is a FREE bi-monthly newsletter developed by the NE Iowa Family Field Specialists. Each bi-monthly issue contains three pages of useful information on nutrition and health, family life, and resource management. 
Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (Posted on 12/6/2010)
The Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University, created by the Iowa Board of Regents in 2006, is a primary source of professional educational training in agricultural law and taxation. 
Program Builder (Posted on 9/25/2010)
Program Builder 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. 
Iowa Food Security, Insecurity, and Hunger (Posted on 9/8/2010)
Iowa families and the communities they live in are working together to solve the problems of individual, household and community food insecurity and hunger. Food insecurity affects health, worker productivity, growth and development of children, sense of well-being and quality of life. 
Early Learning Webinars (Posted on 9/1/2010)
Have you heard about our Early Learning Webinars? Early childhood professionals can now participate in online early childhood training that is convenient, cost effective and easy. 
Managing Tough Times (Posted on 8/30/2010)
Managing Tough Times: Money Managing Articles by Brenda Schmitt, ISU Family Resource Specialist. 
Emerald Ash Borer (Posted on 8/24/2010)
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, which leads to tree death. 
Garden Clippings (Posted on 8/24/2010)
This issue of the Master Gardener Newsletter, "Garden Clippings" is jam packed with all kinds of information for Master Gardeners. Take a look! Also, check out the video on the emerald ash borer. 
News Columns from 2009 (Posted on 1/1/2010)
Past personal news columns from 2009. Some Oldies and some goodies. 
ISU Names New Region 3 Extension Director (Posted on 7/14/2009)
The regional director position was created by the ISU Extension restructuring plan as a way to facilitate an issue-based approach to delivering ISU Extension programming and resources. 
North Iowa Landscape Weeds (Posted on 2/20/2009)
Weeds are Everywhere! Even in North Iowa. Use this reference to find out what weeds you may have in your landscape. 
Answers In Tough Times (Posted on 12/18/2008)
Get answers to questions from Iowa State University Extension Field Specialists. 
Publications Online (Posted on 11/10/2008)
Look here to find ISU Extension publications online!
Topics include: Families & Consumers, Agriculture Production & Management, Community & Business Interests, Natural Resources, and Other Interests. 
Heartland Hospitality (Posted on 10/30/2008)
Customer Care is on the decline everywhere you look. Heartland Hospitality will provide you and your employees with the tools to improve interaction with your customers. 
Iowa Concern (Posted on 6/12/2008)
A source of help and information for Iowans in need: Legal, Finance, Caring for Yourself and Others, Crisis/Disaster, Overcoming Adversity, and learn more about Iowa Concern. 
Predatory Lending (Posted on 6/20/2007)
Buying or refinancing your home may be one of the most important and complex financial decisions you'll ever make. Every year, misinformed homebuyers, often first-time purchasers or seniors, become victims of predatory lending or loan fraud. Don't let this happen to you! 
Getting Your Financial House In Order (Posted on 6/5/2007)
Record keeping is more than a matter of neatness and order. Financial records are key to your credit standing and are essential to help you save money on taxes, and provide a continuning indiciation of your financial progress. 
Have a Healthy Heart (Posted on 2/7/2007)
Have a healthy heart – promote low-fat cooking and active lifestyles. Food Nutrition, and Health. 
Homebuyer Education Course Online (Posted on 1/11/2007)
This Iowa State University Extension online course will help first-time homebuyers meet rural development’s homebuyer education requirement. 
PowerPay (Posted on 12/4/2006)
Reduce your debs the PowerPay Way. A confidential and FREE money-savings analysis from Iowa State University Extension.
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