Open Class Fairbook Now Available On-Line!
(Posted on 5/9/2008)
Welcome to the on-line version of the 2008 Ida County Open Class Fair Book! Whether you have a flair for vegetables, flowers, needlework, or crafts the Ida County Fair has just the class for you to display your talents.

Free Web Course Helps You Get the Most From Your Money
(Posted on 5/5/2008)
A free online course, offered through Iowa State University Extension, is helping people get a grip on their money. The course – Take Control of Your Money – makes it possible to learn money management skills in the privacy of home. The 7-step process covers spending habits, getting out of debt, and increasing savings.

Subprime Lending Receives Attention
(Posted on 4/29/2008)
Subprime lending is receiving attention in the news as major financial institutions who invested heavily in this commodity now have to deal with increased numbers of foreclosures.

Extension Tip of the Week
(Posted on 4/28/2008)
Extension Tip of the Week (TOW) is a feature that can be sent to you directly by e-mail. These tips, sent weekly, will be brief and timely, cover a variety of topics.

Planning Rebate Use Can Benefit Personal Finances
(Posted on 4/17/2008)
Americans are considering how to use their government rebate money — the economic stimulus payments the federal government is sending out after May 15. ISU Extension specialist says take time to plan how to use the rebate money.

Time For a Place of Your Own?
(Posted on 4/9/2008)
Purchasing a home is probably the biggest purchase you'll ever make. It's an exciting experience and not a simple task. Extension's online course will help you decide if now is a good time to buy a home, prepare for the home buying process and shop for a mortgage that works for you.

Will Insurance Protect You From Storm Damage?
(Posted on 4/4/2008)
A tree fell on the roof, strong winds blew out the car windows, the sewer backed up into the basement. Storm damage comes in many forms. Will insurance cover the damage?

ISU Design West Studio Featured in Siouxland Magazine
(Posted on 3/11/2008)
Winter 2007 issue features three articles highlighting the new ISU Design West Studio in the Historic Fourth Street District in downtown Sioux City.

Iowa Ag Review Available On Line
(Posted on 3/11/2008)
Iowa Ag Review is published by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. This publication presents summarized results that emphasize the implications of ongoing agricultural policy analysis, analysis of the near-term agricultural situation, and discussion of agricultural policies currently under consideration.

ISU Economist Offers Analysis of Crop Market Fluctuations
(Posted on 3/10/2008)
Strong demand for U.S.-grown corn and soybeans, both for export markets and for biofuel production, is the cause of upward pressure on prices for those commodities, according to Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University.

Develop Markets for Fruits and Vegetables
(Posted on 3/10/2008)
Producers interested in learning how to market local fruits and vegetables to foodservice and retail distributors are invited to attend one of a series of meetings sponsored by ISU Extension.

Community & Economic Development Quarterly Newsletter
(Posted on 2/20/2008)
ISU Extension Community and Economic Development quarterly publication is available at this link. ISU Extension provides this tool to assist Iowa leaders with information to help their communities advance with the times.

Your Retirement is in Your Hands
(Posted on 2/7/2008)
American workers increasingly need to take responsibility for their own retirement savings, usually through a 401k, an IRA or a similar tax-preferred investment. What steps do you need to take? No matter where you are in your retirement planning process, you'll find useful information in ISU Extension's publication series.

Consumer Privacy: Who's Got Your Number
(Posted on 2/7/2008)
Protecting our personal information has become an essential skill for living in our society, yet not everyone has heard about the steps we can take to protect ourselves. From taking our Social Security number off our drivers' licenses and other documents to reducing the junk mail and telemarketing calls we receive, there is much we can do to protect ourselves.

Foundations Provide $1 Million to Aid Iowa Microenterprise Business Climate
(Posted on 2/7/2008)
An investment of $1 million to improve Iowa’s development of microenterprises was announced Monday at the 2008 Community Philanthropy Academy sponsored by the Iowa State University Community Vitality Center (CVC).

Wind Energy Production: Legal Issues and Related Concerns for Landowners
(Posted on 2/6/2008)
Farmers have long used wind energy.Today, rural landowners in suitable areas are utilizing wind energy in a different manner. By leasing out or granting easements over a portion of their land to wind energy developers they can diversify their income and provide some stability to the variability of farm income. However, wind farming presents numerous legal issues that landowners must consider carefully before entering into an agreement with a wind develop­ment company.

Need Information Quickly?
(Posted on 1/29/2008)
When you need expert answers in a hurry, rely on Iowa State University Extension Hotlines. Select this easy button or the blue text for links to these Hotlines.

Have You Heard, Extension is in the News?
(Posted on 1/23/2008)
Check out these links to Extension news releases for the latest happenings with ISU Extension. Whether you are into grape vines, p-index levels, finances, or childcare...this site has it all.

CEUs Available for Childcare Providers
(Posted on 12/19/2007)
Ida County Extension offers CEUs for Childcare Providers. Check-out these Self Study Kits at the Extension Office. The kit cost is $5 (which includes one certificate) and the CEU's are optional for an additional fee. The check out time is 5 days.

ISU Offers Home Buyers Certification Course On-Line
(Posted on 6/25/2007)
The American dream of homeownership is an exciting experience, but it may be challenging. According to Mary Yearns, ISU Extension housing specialist and course author, “A Place of Your Own lets you focus on finding a home that fits your needs and your budget. It will help you prepare for the home-buying process and shop for a mortgage that works for you.”

Iowa Land Use Planning Notebook Available at ISU Extension
(Posted on 6/8/2007)
A key resource for Iowa planners, zoning administrators and local officials has a new look and new content.

ISU Beginning Farmer Center Transitions Next Generation Farmers
(Posted on 1/31/2007)
The Beginning Farmer Center focuses exclusively on the needs and issues facing beginning farmers. This Center facilitates the matching of beginning farmers with existing farmers who want to transition their farm businesses to the next generation.

ISU Offers Small Business Development Center
(Posted on 1/31/2007)
Since 1981, the Iowa Small Business Development Centers have provided expert and confidential business counseling services to entrepreneurs in all 99 Iowa counties. As an outreach program for the College of Business the SBDC can help existing business owners and entrepreneurs with the assistance and resources they need.

Statistics Available for Economic Impact of Agriculture in Ida County
(Posted on 1/31/2007)
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension specialists have developed a set of fact sheets that provide county-specific numbers on the role agriculture plays in the economy of Iowa. To find Ida County's data and others check out the links we have made to these pages.

Extension Provides Community Economic Development Resources
(Posted on 12/13/2006)
Whether you are interested in a particular community or a county wide economic development group, you can find these resources on the links we have built into Ida County Extension's web page.

Ida County Poverty and Food Needs Profile
(Posted on 5/18/2006)
For information regarding Ida County demographics, food accessibility, food-related health issues, and food assistance programs check out this profile.